ODE Homogeneous Eqn - What did I do wrong this time?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a first-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) using the method of homogeneous equations. The original poster presents their attempt at solving the equation dy/dx = (4y - 3x) / (2x - y) and shares their derived expressions and a comparison with a book answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the manipulation of the equation, including the use of substitutions and partial fractions. There are questions about the correctness of the transformations and the handling of constants during integration. Some participants also explore the implications of raising terms to powers and whether certain algebraic manipulations hold true.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on each other's approaches. There is a mix of confirmations and corrections regarding the algebraic steps taken. While some participants express uncertainty about specific transformations, others affirm the validity of the methods used. No explicit consensus has been reached, but there is a collaborative effort to clarify the reasoning involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of manipulating expressions involving homogeneous equations and are addressing potential pitfalls in their algebraic reasoning. The original poster's homework constraints and the requirement to use a specific method are acknowledged but not fully detailed.

hahutzy
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Hey guys, I've been stuck on this problem for a good hour... I have no idea how to finish it up.

Homework Statement



Solve: dy/dx = 4y-3x / (2x-y)
Use homogeneous equations method.

Homework Equations


Answer : |y - x| = c|y + 3x|5 (also y = -3x)

The Attempt at a Solution


dy/dx = 4y-3x / (2x-y)
dy/dx = 4y-3x / (2x-y) * [(1/x) / (1/x)]
dy/dx = (4y/x)-3 / (2-(y/x))

let v = y/x
y = v(x) x
dy/dx = x dv/dx + v

x dv/dx + v = 4v-3 / (2-v)
x dv/dx = [4v-3 / (2-v)] - v
x dv/dx = 4v-3 -[2v-v2] / (2-v)
x dv/dx = 2v-3+v2] / (2-v)
dx/x = [(-v + 2) / (v^2 + 2v -3)] dv
dx/x = [(-5/4)(1/(v+3)) + (1/4)(1/(v-1))] dv (partial fractions)

Integrating both sides:

ln |x| = (1/4) ln |v-1| - (5/4) ln |v+3| + c
ln |x| = (1/4) [ln |v-1| - 5 ln |v+3| + c]
|x| = (1/4) exp {[ln |v-1| - 5 ln |v+3| + c]}
|x| = c |v-1| |v+3|-5
c|v+3|5 = |v-1|/|x|
|(y/x)-1| / |x| = c|(y/x)+3|5

Answer from book : |y - x| = c|y + 3x|5 (also y = -3x)

Much appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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c|v+3|^5 = |v-1|/|x|

What happened to your 1/4! it disappeared

rework it, you should have
c|v+3|^-5 = |v-1|/|x|^4

rearrange and substitute

|x|^4 = |y/x-1|/c|y/x+3|^-5

factor out a 1/x^-5 from the right

|x|^4 = |y/x-1| / (c|y+3x|^-5 * 1/x^-5)

Multiply both sides

c 1/x = |y/x-1| / (|y+3x|^-5 )

c 1/x*(|y+3x|^-5 ) = |y/x-1|

facor out 1/x from the right and everything should be clear

- srry it was just quick and dirty but bear with me =]

Edit! O man sorry OP, that ^5 was ^-5, recheck your partial fractions, now it all works out
 
Last edited:
Thanks! But just making sure I'm getting this.

Code:
Multiply both sides

cx = |y/x-1| / (|y+3x|^5 )

cx*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y/x-1|

Should be

Code:
Multiply both sides

c(1/|x|) = |y/x-1| / (|y+3x|^5 )

c*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y/x-1|*|x|

c*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y-x|

Right?

Also, is there any easy way to remember that (y/x + 3)^5 = (y + 3x)^5 * (1/x)^5?
 
Yes you're right (check my edit - my net is giving me probs) umm I don't know what to say, you just have to train yourself to spot it I guess.
 
hahutzy said:
Thanks! But just making sure I'm getting this.

Code:
Multiply both sides

cx = |y/x-1| / (|y+3x|^5 )

cx*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y/x-1|

Should be

Code:
Multiply both sides

c(1/|x|) = |y/x-1| / (|y+3x|^5 )

c*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y/x-1|*|x|

c*(|y+3x|^5 ) = |y-x|

Right?

Also, is there any easy way to remember that (y/x + 3)^5 = (y + 3x)^5 * (1/x)^5?

I don't think it is a matter of "remembering". Just add the fractions:
y/x+ 3= y/x+ 3x/x= (y+ 3x)/x.
 
HallsofIvy said:
I don't think it is a matter of "remembering". Just add the fractions:
y/x+ 3= y/x+ 3x/x= (y+ 3x)/x.

I understand that, however, what I can't wrap my head around is doing the same thing if the term is being raised to the power of something. Namely, ((y/x)+3)N where N is integer > 1

Let's say I had N=2, ((y/x)+3)2

Expanding gives y2/x2 + 6(y/x) + 9

y2/x2 + 6(y/x)(x/x) + 9(x2/x2)

[y2 + 6(yx) + 9x2] (1/x2)

(y+3x)2 (1/x)2

.'. ((y/x)+3)2 = (y+3x)2 (1/x)2

Now, since N=1 is true (intuitive), N=2 is true (proven), and you guys claim N=5 is also true, does that mean ((y/x)+3)N = (y+3x)N (1/x)N for 1..2..3..N by induction?

If the above is true, am I overthinking this all? Is it mathematically correct to do this:

((y/x)+3)N
((y/x)+3(x/x))N
((y+3x)/x))N
(y+3x)N (1/x)N
 
If the above is true, am I over thinking this all? Is it mathematically correct to do this:

((y/x)+3)N
((y/x)+3(x/x))N
((y+3x)/x))N
(y+3x)N (1/x)N

You are definitely over thinking this. What you've done is correct. Remember a^n/b^n=(a/b)^n, a^nb^n=(ab)^n. It is just basic arithmetic.
 
I concur, definitely over thought. Simple algebra.
 

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