Solving Separable Equations: y'=xcos^(2)y

  • Thread starter btnh
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Separable
In summary, a separable equation is a type of differential equation where the variables can be separated and solved individually. To solve a separable equation, one must rearrange the equation and then integrate both sides with respect to their respective variables. The notation y' represents the derivative of the function y with respect to the independent variable. The significance of the cosine squared term in a separable equation is that it makes the equation non-linear, requiring a different approach to solving. As an example, the equation y'=x^2+3y can be solved by rearranging and integrating to get the general solution, which can then be solved for specific initial conditions.
  • #1
btnh
1
0
I am just supposed to find the general solution, in an explicit form if possible.

y'=xcos^(2)y

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Do your own HW.

btnh said:
I am just supposed to find the general solution, in an explicit form if possible.

y'=xcos^(2)y

Thanks!

This problem can be answered by someone with a strong grasp of calculus I. Get your calculus I book out.

Ken
 
  • #3
Multiply both sides by [tex]\sec^2{y}[/tex], to get

[tex]y^{\prime} \sec^2{y} = x [/tex]

Now, integrate both sides w.r.t. x to get

[tex]\tan{y} = \frac{x^2}{2} + \kappa [/tex]

where [tex]\kappa[/tex] is a constant.
 

1. What is a separable equation?

A separable equation is a type of differential equation where the variables can be separated and solved individually. In other words, the equation can be rearranged so that all terms containing the dependent variable are on one side and all terms containing the independent variable are on the other side.

2. How do you solve a separable equation?

To solve a separable equation, you first rearrange the equation so that all terms containing the dependent variable are on one side and all terms containing the independent variable are on the other side. Then, you integrate both sides with respect to their respective variables. This will result in a general solution, which can then be solved for any initial conditions given.

3. What does the notation y' mean in the equation y'=xcos^(2)y?

The notation y' represents the derivative of the function y with respect to the independent variable, in this case, x. It is also known as the slope or rate of change of y.

4. What is the significance of the cosine squared term in the equation y'=xcos^(2)y?

The cosine squared term, cos^(2)y, is a function of the dependent variable y. This means that the rate of change of y is not constant and depends on the value of y. This makes the equation a non-linear separable equation, which requires a different approach to solving compared to linear separable equations.

5. Can you provide an example of solving a separable equation?

As an example, let's solve the equation y'=x^2+3y. First, we rearrange the equation to get y' - 3y = x^2. Then, we integrate both sides with respect to x, resulting in y - (3/2)y^2 = (1/3)x^3 + C. This is the general solution, which can be solved for specific initial conditions if given.

Similar threads

  • Differential Equations
Replies
16
Views
890
  • Differential Equations
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Back
Top