Partial Differential du/dx Equations

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving two first-order partial differential equations: du/dx - x.du/dy = 0 and x.du/dx - 2y.du/dy = 0. The user initially assumes u = X.Y and derives expressions for X and Y, leading to confusion regarding the constants involved. The consensus is that the constants C1 and C2 can be combined into a single constant C, which clarifies the discrepancy in the final forms of the solutions presented in the textbook.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of first-order partial differential equations
  • Familiarity with separation of variables technique
  • Knowledge of logarithmic and exponential functions
  • Basic calculus, including integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of characteristics for solving partial differential equations
  • Learn about the implications of combining constants in differential equations
  • Explore the role of boundary conditions in determining constants in solutions
  • Investigate advanced topics in partial differential equations, such as Fourier series solutions
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and engineers who are working with partial differential equations and seeking to deepen their understanding of solution techniques and constant management in differential equations.

SunGod87
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
Trying to solve the two questions attached, for the first one:

du/dx - x.du/dy = 0

Assume u = X.Y
Y.dX/dx - x.X.dY/dy = 0
Dividing by x.X.Y and taking one term over to the other side:
dX/dx.1/(x.X) = dY/dy.1/Y

These can be equated to a constant m

dX/X = m.x.dx
Integrating;
ln(X/C) = 1/2.m.x^2
X = C.e^((1/2.m.x^2))

dY/Y = m.dy
ln(Y/C) = m.y
Y = C.e^((y.m))

u = C^2.e^((1/2.x^2 + y).m)

However the answer given is C.e^((x^2 + 2y).m)

Have they absorbed the two constants earlier into one? Since the equation is a first order one. Also they seem to have multiplied the exponent by 2 throughout, surely this isn't allowed so I assume I've made a mistake?

Second question:
x.du.dx - 2y.du/dy = 0
Assume u = X.Y
x.Y.dX/dx - 2y.X.dY/dy = 0

Dividing by 2.X.Y and taking one term to the other side:

x/2X.dX/dx = y/Y.dY/dy
These can be equated to a constant m

y/Y.dY/dy = m
dY/Y = m.dy/y
ln(Y/C) = m.ln(y)
ln(Y/C) = ln(y^m)
Y = C.y^m

x/2X.dX/dx = m
dX/2X = m.dx/x
1/2.ln(X/C) = m.ln(x)
ln(X/C) = 2.m.ln(x)
ln(X/C) = ln(x^2m)
X = C.x^2m

XY = C^2.(x^2.y)^m

However the book has it as:

C(x^2.y)^m

Again have they just combined the two constants into one since the equation is only first order?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
 

Attachments

  • untitled.JPG
    untitled.JPG
    5.6 KB · Views: 934
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
SunGod87 said:
Trying to solve the two questions attached, for the first one:

du/dx - x.du/dy = 0

Assume u = X.Y
Y.dX/dx - x.X.dY/dy = 0
Dividing by x.X.Y and taking one term over to the other side:
dX/dx.1/(x.X) = dY/dy.1/Y

These can be equated to a constant m

dX/X = m.x.dx
Integrating;
ln(X/C) = 1/2.m.x^2
X = C.e^((1/2.m.x^2))

dY/Y = m.dy
ln(Y/C) = m.y
Y = C.e^((y.m))

u = C^2.e^((1/2.x^2 + y).m)

However the answer given is C.e^((x^2 + 2y).m)

Have they absorbed the two constants earlier into one? Since the equation is a first order one. Also they seem to have multiplied the exponent by 2 throughout, surely this isn't allowed so I assume I've made a mistake?
The only "mistake" you made was in assuming that the constant C in was the same in each case. you are really saying that
X= C_1e^{\frac{1}{2}mx^2}
Y= C_2e^{my}
and so
u= (C_1C_2)e^{\frac{1}{2}mx^2+ my}
Since C1 and C2 are unknown constants, their product is also an unknown constant: let C= C1C2.
As far as the factor of 2 is concerned, what is m? Suppose you had said "These can be equated to a constant 2m" at the beginning? (Someone just doesn't like fractions!)

Second question:
x.du.dx - 2y.du/dy = 0
Assume u = X.Y
x.Y.dX/dx - 2y.X.dY/dy = 0

Dividing by 2.X.Y and taking one term to the other side:

x/2X.dX/dx = y/Y.dY/dy
These can be equated to a constant m

y/Y.dY/dy = m
dY/Y = m.dy/y
ln(Y/C) = m.ln(y)
ln(Y/C) = ln(y^m)
Y = C.y^m

x/2X.dX/dx = m
dX/2X = m.dx/x
1/2.ln(X/C) = m.ln(x)
ln(X/C) = 2.m.ln(x)
ln(X/C) = ln(x^2m)
X = C.x^2m

XY = C^2.(x^2.y)^m

However the book has it as:

C(x^2.y)^m

Again have they just combined the two constants into one since the equation is only first order?

Thanks in advance for any help :)
Exactly. You have no reason to assume that C is the same in both parts. You really have
XY= C_1C_2(x^2y)^m
Since C1 and C2 are just unknown constants, so is there product. Let C= C1C2.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ah okay, all makes sense. Thank you very much :)
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
10K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K