Nonlinear ODE Help: Strategies to Solve a Challenging 1st Order PDE

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for solving a challenging first-order partial differential equation (PDE) that leads to a specific ordinary differential equation (ODE). Participants explore various methods, including numerical solutions and transformations, while addressing the complexities of the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Haiya expresses difficulty in solving the ODE and questions whether an analytical solution is possible.
  • Matt suggests considering a numerical solution and inquires about initial conditions.
  • One participant challenges Haiya's assertion that the equation is not homogeneous, providing a transformation to demonstrate its homogeneity.
  • Haiya acknowledges the homogeneity and discusses a change of variable to transform the ODE into a separable form.
  • Haiya seeks assistance with integrating a complex expression and considers using numerical roots for partial fraction expansion.
  • Another participant identifies a specific root of the polynomial in the denominator, contributing to the ongoing exploration of solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the classification of the ODE as homogeneous. While some acknowledge the homogeneity, others initially contest it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to integrate the transformed equation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the nature of the ODE and the methods for solving it, with no consensus on the most effective strategy for integration or the use of numerical methods.

BobbyBear
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Haiya :P

In the process of trying to find the solution of a 1st order PDE, I've reached a point where I have to solve the following ode:

[tex] <br /> \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{x^2y-4(y-x)^3}{xy^2+4(y-x)^3}<br /> [/tex]

and I am stuck here :( It's not separable, homogeneous, or exact and I really don't know how to tackle this, is it most likely there is no analytical way to solve? Please suggest a strategy or help in any way, if you can :P:P

Thanks x
 
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Hello,

Have you tried a numerical solution? Do you have any intial conditions for this ODE?

Thanks
Matt
 
Why do you say it is not homogenous? If you replace x by [itex]\lambda x[/itex] and y by [itex]\lambda y[/itex] the right side becomes
[tex]\frac{(\lambda x)^2(\lambda y)- 4(\lambda y- \lamba x)^3}{(\lambda x)(\lambda y)^2+ 4(\lambda y- \lambda x)^3}[/tex][tex]= \frac{\lambda^3(x^2y- (y- x)^3}{\lambda^3(xy^2+ (y- x)^3}= \frac{x^2y- (y- x)^3}{xy^2+ (y-x)^3}[/tex]
so this equation certainly is homogenous.
 
Thank you very much for your replies.

Oooh Ivy, I didn't realize that xD The numerator and denominator are both homogeneous of 3rd degree :) So then, what I do is:

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{x^2y-4(y-x)^3}{xy^2+4(y-x)^3} = \frac{x^3[\frac{y}{x}-4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3]}{x^3[(\frac{y}{x})^2+4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3]} = \frac{\frac{y}{x}-4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3}{(\frac{y}{x})^2+4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3}[/tex]

and using the change of variable z=y/x, I'm left with an separable equation: xD

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = x \frac{dz}{dx} + z = \frac{z-4(z-1)^3}{z^2+4(z-1)^3}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dz}{\frac{z-4(z-1)^3}{z^2+4(z-1)^3} -1} = \frac{dx}{x}[/tex]

which after some manipulation leaves me with:

[tex]\left[-\frac{1}{2} +\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{z^2+z}{-8z^3+23z^2-23z+8}\right) \right] dz=\frac{dx}{x}[/tex]

Um, I need help once again integrating the left hand side, I mean, I can only obtain the roots of the 3rd degree polynomial numerically, so should I use those (approximate roots) to carry out the partial fraction expansion of the polynomial quotient so that I can integrate? I'm not sure what to do, I want to end up with a relationship between the x and y variables; I don't have intial values because this ode came up while trying to solve a 1st order linear PDE (in fact, I'm trying to solve the characteristic system:

[tex]\frac{dx}{xy^2+4(y-x)^3} = \frac{dy}{x^2y-4(y-x)^3} = \frac{du}{-1}[/tex]

so that's why I needed to solve that ode.

If you have any suggestions on how to go about this I'd appreciate it! Thank you! :)
 
BobbyBear said:
Thank you very much for your replies.

Oooh Ivy, I didn't realize that xD The numerator and denominator are both homogeneous of 3rd degree :) So then, what I do is:

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{x^2y-4(y-x)^3}{xy^2+4(y-x)^3} = \frac{x^3[\frac{y}{x}-4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3]}{x^3[(\frac{y}{x})^2+4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3]} = \frac{\frac{y}{x}-4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3}{(\frac{y}{x})^2+4(\frac{y}{x} -1)^3}[/tex]

and using the change of variable z=y/x, I'm left with an separable equation: xD

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = x \frac{dz}{dx} + z = \frac{z-4(z-1)^3}{z^2+4(z-1)^3}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dz}{\frac{z-4(z-1)^3}{z^2+4(z-1)^3} -1} = \frac{dx}{x}[/tex]

which after some manipulation leaves me with:

[tex]\left[-\frac{1}{2} +\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{z^2+z}{-8z^3+23z^2-23z+8}\right) \right] dz=\frac{dx}{x}[/tex]

Um, I need help once again integrating the left hand side, I mean, I can only obtain the roots of the 3rd degree polynomial numerically, so should I use those (approximate roots) to carry out the partial fraction expansion of the polynomial quotient so that I can integrate? I'm not sure what to do, I want to end up with a relationship between the x and y variables; I don't have intial values because this ode came up while trying to solve a 1st order linear PDE (in fact, I'm trying to solve the characteristic system:

[tex]\frac{dx}{xy^2+4(y-x)^3} = \frac{dy}{x^2y-4(y-x)^3} = \frac{du}{-1}[/tex]

so that's why I needed to solve that ode.

If you have any suggestions on how to go about this I'd appreciate it! Thank you! :)

Hi BobbyBear,

just by visually inspecting the algebraic third order equation in the denominator, i can tell that z=1 is one root of this equation.
 
tanujkush said:
Hi BobbyBear,

just by visually inspecting the algebraic third order equation in the denominator, i can tell that z=1 is one root of this equation.

Oooh tanujkush, I love you! :)
*hugs*

I guess I am quite short sighted :P:P
 

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