Second order non-linear differential equation involving log

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving the second order non-linear differential equation given by x y'' = y' log(y'/x). Participants explored various substitution methods, including u = y' and v = y'/x, to simplify the equation. The final approach led to a separable form, allowing for integration to find the solution. The conversation highlights the importance of variable substitution and manipulation in solving complex differential equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of second order non-linear differential equations
  • Familiarity with variable substitution techniques in differential equations
  • Knowledge of logarithmic functions and their properties
  • Basic integration techniques for solving differential equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of variable substitution in differential equations
  • Learn about separable differential equations and their solutions
  • Explore advanced techniques for solving non-linear differential equations
  • Practice integrating functions involving logarithmic expressions
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students in mathematics, particularly those studying differential equations, as well as educators and tutors looking to enhance their teaching methods for solving non-linear equations.

5hassay
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EDIT: my problem is solved, thank you to those who helped

Homework Statement



Solve:

x y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} \log (\frac{y^{\prime}}{x})

Note: This is the first part of an undergraduate applications course in differential equations. We were taught to solve second order non-linear equations by doing tricks such as substituting u = y^{\prime}, factoring, and then dealing with the two cases that result.

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried u := y^{\prime}, so u^{\prime} = y^{\prime \prime}, and so substitution gives

x u^{\prime} = u \log(\frac{u}{x})

but I can't seem to be able to do anything with that.

I also I noticed that

y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} x^{-1} \log(y^{\prime} x^{-1})

which I thought was interesting. But I couldn't really do anything with it.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
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How about log (y'/x) = log (y') - log (x)?
 
5hassay said:

Homework Statement



Solve:

x y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} \log (\frac{y^{\prime}}{x})

Note: This is the first part of an undergraduate applications course in differential equations. We were taught to solve second order non-linear equations by doing tricks such as substituting u = y^{\prime}, factoring, and then dealing with the two cases that result.

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried u := y^{\prime}, so u^{\prime} = y^{\prime \prime}, and so substitution gives

x u^{\prime} = u \log(\frac{u}{x})

but I can't seem to be able to do anything with that.

I also I noticed that

y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} x^{-1} \log(y^{\prime} x^{-1})

which I thought was interesting. But I couldn't really do anything with it.

Thank you.

You want to try and find a variable change that will make it separable. Since you have u/x in the log, substituting xv=u might be a good thing to try.
 
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5hassay said:

Homework Statement



Solve:

x y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} \log (\frac{y^{\prime}}{x})

Note: This is the first part of an undergraduate applications course in differential equations. We were taught to solve second order non-linear equations by doing tricks such as substituting u = y^{\prime}, factoring, and then dealing with the two cases that result.

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried u := y^{\prime}, so u^{\prime} = y^{\prime \prime}, and so substitution gives

x u^{\prime} = u \log(\frac{u}{x})

but I can't seem to be able to do anything with that.

I also I noticed that

y^{\prime \prime} = y^{\prime} x^{-1} \log(y^{\prime} x^{-1})

which I thought was interesting. But I couldn't really do anything with it.

Thank you.
You have x u^{\prime} = u \log(\frac{u}{x}). This can be rewritten as
\frac{d \ln u}{d\ln x}=\ln(u)-\ln(x)
Let ln(u) = w and ln(x) = z
 
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Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Dick said:
You want to try and find a variable change that will make it separable. Since you have u/x in the log, substituting xv=u might be a good thing to try.

thanks for the help.

OK, that was productive. Here's what I did:

v := \frac{y^{\prime}}{x} \Longrightarrow v^{\prime} = \frac{x y^{\prime \prime} - y^{\prime}}{x^2} \Longrightarrow x^2 v^{\prime} + y^{\prime} = x y^{\prime \prime}

Substituting,

x^2 v^{\prime} + y^{\prime} = y^{\prime} \log(v) \Longrightarrow x v^{\prime} + v = v \log(v)
\Longrightarrow \frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{v \log(v) - v}{x} \Longrightarrow (v - v \log(v)) dx + x dv = 0

M := v - v \log(v)
N := x

M_v = 1 - \log(v) - 1 = -\log(v) \neq 1 = N_x

so the equation is not exact. But

\displaystyle{\frac{N_x - M_v}{M} = \frac{1 + log(v)}{v(1 - \log(v))} \neq f(v)}
\displaystyle{\frac{M_v - N_x}{N} = -\frac{\log(v) + 1}{x} \neq f(x)}
\displaystyle{\frac{N_x - M_v}{x M - v N} = -\frac{1 + \log(v)}{x v \log(v)} \neq f(xv)}

so I am stuck (one of those works when we are given a separable equation in my course).
 
5hassay said:
thanks for the help.

OK, that was productive. Here's what I did:

v := \frac{y^{\prime}}{x} \Longrightarrow v^{\prime} = \frac{x y^{\prime \prime} - y^{\prime}}{x^2} \Longrightarrow x^2 v^{\prime} + y^{\prime} = x y^{\prime \prime}

Substituting,

x^2 v^{\prime} + y^{\prime} = y^{\prime} \log(v) \Longrightarrow x v^{\prime} + v = v \log(v)
\Longrightarrow \frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{v \log(v) - v}{x} \Longrightarrow (v - v \log(v)) dx + x dv = 0

M := v - v \log(v)
N := x

M_v = 1 - \log(v) - 1 = -\log(v) \neq 1 = N_x

so the equation is not exact. But

\displaystyle{\frac{N_x - M_v}{M} = \frac{1 + log(v)}{v(1 - \log(v))} \neq f(v)}
\displaystyle{\frac{M_v - N_x}{N} = -\frac{\log(v) + 1}{x} \neq f(x)}
\displaystyle{\frac{N_x - M_v}{x M - v N} = -\frac{1 + \log(v)}{x v \log(v)} \neq f(xv)}

so I am stuck (one of those works when we are given a separable equation in my course).

xv'+v=vlog(v) is already separable. Just separate it and go from there.
 
Chestermiller said:
You have x u^{\prime} = u \log(\frac{u}{x}). This can be rewritten as
\frac{d \ln u}{d\ln x}=\ln(u)-\ln(x)
Let ln(u) = w and ln(x) = z

thanks for the help.

I don't know how to evaluate

\frac{d \log(u)}{d \log(x)}

I understand that I would be differentiating \log(u) as a function of \log(x), but I don't see how that is a function of \log(x).
 
Dick said:
xv'+v=vlog(v) is already separable. Just separate it and go from there.

true. OK, then

\displaystyle{\frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{v \log(v) - v}{x} \Longrightarrow \int{\frac{1}{v} \cdot \frac{1}{\log(v) - 1}} dv = \int{\frac{1}{x}}} dx
\displaystyle{\Longrightarrow \log(\log(v) - 1) = \log(x) + C \Longrightarrow \log(v) - 1 = C x \Longrightarrow v = \frac{y^{\prime}}{x} = e^{C x + 1}}
\displaystyle{\Longrightarrow y = \int{x e^{C x + 1}} dx = x \frac{1}{C} e^{C x + 1} - \frac{1}{C} \int{e^{C x + 1}} dx = \frac{1}{C^2} e^{C x + 1} (C x - 1) + D}

where I just re-used C for e^C.

I haven't verified it yet by substituting
 
Last edited:
5hassay said:
true. OK, then

\displaystyle{\frac{dv}{dx} = \frac{v \log(v) - v}{x} \Longrightarrow \int{\frac{1}{v} \cdot \frac{1}{\log(v) - 1}} dv = \int{\frac{1}{x}}} dx
\displaystyle{\Longrightarrow \log(\log(v) - 1) = \log(x) + C \Longrightarrow \log(v) - 1 = C x \Longrightarrow v = \frac{y^{\prime}}{x} = e^{C x + 1}}
\displaystyle{\Longrightarrow y = \int{x e^{C x + 1}} dx = x \frac{1}{C} e^{C x + 1} - \int{e^{C x + 1}} dx = \frac{1}{C} e^{C x + 1} (x - 1) + D}

where I just re-used C for e^C.

I haven't verified it yet by substituting

Looks fine for v, but I think you dropped a C when you were integrating by parts.
 
  • #10
5hassay said:
thanks for the help.

I don't know how to evaluate

\frac{d \log(u)}{d \log(x)}

I understand that I would be differentiating \log(u) as a function of \log(x), but I don't see how that is a function of \log(x).
If u is a function of x, then it is a function of ln(x).
 
  • #11
Dick said:
Looks fine for v, but I think you dropped a C when you were integrating by parts.

awesome. Also, I also think you are correct about the missing C, thank you--I shall update that post. Thank you for your help!
 
  • #12
5hassay said:
awesome. Also, I also think you are correct about the missing C, thank you--I shall update that post. Thank you for your help!

Very welcome! If you want some extra practice you should try doing it Chestermiller's way as well, it's very nice if you don't mind keeping track of a few extra substitution variables.
 

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