Separable first order ODE involving tangent

  • #1
psie
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Homework Statement
Consider the DE ##\frac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t}=t\tan x## with initial value ##x(0)=\frac\pi{6}##.
1. Find the solution.
2. Describe the region in which the solutions are defined.
Relevant Equations
A separable first order ODE is of the form ##x'=g(x)h(t)##.
By inspection, we see that ##x=k\pi## is a solution for ##k\in\mathbb Z##. Moreover, the equation implicitly assumes ##x\neq n\pi/2## for odd ##n\in\mathbb Z##, since ##\tan x## isn't defined there. So suppose ##x\neq k\pi##, i.e. ##\tan x\neq 0##, then rearranging and writing ##\tan x=\frac{\sin x}{\cos x}## we have $$\frac{x'\cos x}{\sin x}=\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}t}\log(|\sin x|)=t.$$ Integrating and exponentiating, we obtain, $$|\sin x|=Ae^{\frac{t^2}{2}}$$ The initial condition implies ##A=1/2##. Now, how do I get rid of the absolute values here? Does it somehow follow from the initial condition that ##\sin x## has to be positive?
 
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  • #2
[tex]\sin x = \pm A e^{t^2/2}[/tex]
where A >0. There are two cases of x>0 and x<0 during the time after. The initial condition says ##x(0)=\pi/6 >0 ## Our solution is the former one.
[tex]\sin x = \frac{e^{t^2/2}}{2}[/tex]
 
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  • #3
I think from [itex](\log |\sin x|)' = t[/itex] the next step is [tex]
\log |\sin x| = \log |A| + \tfrac12 t^2[/tex] and hence [tex]
|\sin x| = |A|e^{\frac12 t^2}.[/tex] It follows from this that [itex]\sin x[/itex] and [itex]A[/itex] have the same sign, so we can drop the absolute value signs.
 
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1. What is a separable first order ODE involving tangent?

A separable first order ODE involving tangent is a type of differential equation that can be written in the form dy/dx = f(x)g(y), where f(x) and g(y) are functions of x and y, respectively. This type of equation can be solved by separating the variables and integrating both sides.

2. How do you solve a separable first order ODE involving tangent?

To solve a separable first order ODE involving tangent, you first need to separate the variables by bringing all terms involving y to one side and all terms involving x to the other side. Then, you can integrate both sides and solve for y to get the general solution. You may also need to use the tangent identity tan^2(x) + 1 = sec^2(x) to simplify the equation.

3. What is the difference between a separable first order ODE involving tangent and a separable first order ODE?

The main difference between these two types of equations is that a separable first order ODE involving tangent includes a tangent function, while a regular separable first order ODE does not. This can make the solution process more complex and may require the use of trigonometric identities.

4. Are there any real-world applications of separable first order ODE involving tangent?

Yes, there are many real-world applications of separable first order ODE involving tangent. Some examples include modeling population growth, chemical reactions, and heat transfer in engineering problems. These equations are also commonly used in physics and economics.

5. Can a separable first order ODE involving tangent have multiple solutions?

Yes, a separable first order ODE involving tangent can have multiple solutions. When solving these equations, it is important to check for any extraneous solutions that may arise from the use of trigonometric identities. Additionally, some separable first order ODE involving tangent may have a general solution that includes a constant of integration, which can result in an infinite number of solutions.

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