Nonlinear integration using integration factors?

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Kevatron9
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Hi,

I have some equations I have derived though energy balances and have been using the Integration Factors method to solve equations in the form:

dy/dx + Py = Q

However, my original equations only work if I assume some variables to be constants. Removing this assumption leaves me with an equation of the following form:

dy/dx + (a+b.y^2)y = Q

I have no Idea how to solve this problem. I cannot find a method that works. Does anybody know how to integrate such a problem?

Thanks in advance
 
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Thanks for the reply matt.

I have looked at the Bernoulli's method but as far as I am aware Bernoulli only works for linear integrations. Please advise me if I'm wrong and if possible, where I can see further information.
 
Kevatron9 said:
Hi,

I have some equations I have derived though energy balances and have been using the Integration Factors method to solve equations in the form:

dy/dx + Py = Q

However, my original equations only work if I assume some variables to be constants. Removing this assumption leaves me with an equation of the following form:

dy/dx + (a+b.y^2)y = Q

I have no Idea how to solve this problem. I cannot find a method that works. Does anybody know how to integrate such a problem?

Thanks in advance
I'm not sure this is right, but it may work!:

dy/dx + (a+b.y^2)y = Q

dy/dx + ay+by^3 = Q

dy/dx = Q - ay - by^3

y = Qx - a[itex]\int(ydx[/itex]-b[itex]\int(y^3dx[/itex]

Now we convert dx into dy and y terms:

dy/dx = Q - ay - by^3

dx = [itex]\frac{dy}{Q - ay - by^3}[/itex]

Bam! Here it is

y = Qx - a[itex]\int(\frac{y}{Q - ay - by^3}dy[/itex]-b[itex]\int(\frac{y^3}{Q - ay - by^3}dy[/itex]