Separable ODE Solution: Solving for y in dy/dt = (ab - c(y^2)) / a

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a separable ordinary differential equation (ODE) given by dy/dt = (ab - c(y^2)) / a, where a, b, and c are constants. Participants are exploring methods to integrate and express the solution in terms of y.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration process and consider different substitutions, such as trigonometric substitutions, to simplify the integral. There is a question about the appropriateness of using tan substitution versus sin substitution.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on potential substitutions for integration, while others express concern about the complexity of the resulting expressions. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and approaches without a clear consensus on the simplest method to express the solution in terms of y.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the integration steps and the representation of the solution. Participants are also grappling with the implications of the constants involved and how they affect the solution's form.

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Hi, I'm having trouble with this ODE problem:

The prompt asks to find the solution of the ODE using separation of variables.

dy/dt = (ab - c(y^2)) / a,

where a, b and c are constants.

I proceed to divide both sides by (ab - c(y^2)) and multiply both sides by dt, but I'm having trouble integrating and expressing the solution in terms of y.

Thanks in advance.
 
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So you are trying to solve the following integration??

[tex]\int \frac{dy}{b - c/ay^2}[/tex]

one of the very standard way to do it is to use trig substitution... i.e. [tex]y = C' sin \theta[/tex] determine what C' shall you use in order to cancel out the denumerater...
 
Sorry, I must be missing something.. the integration that I was attempting to do was:

[tex]\int \frac{dy}{ab - c(y^2)}[/tex]

Will trig substitution also work with this?
 
Yes... But if you use [tex]y = C' tan\theta[/tex], it might be easier to do...
just try it and see where you go...
 
ArcTanh[(Sqrt[c]*x)/(Sqrt[a]*Sqrt)]/ (Sqrt[a]*Sqrt*Sqrt[c])

is the solution to the integral, but it seems too complex for this problem. I guess a better question would be: is there another way to tackle the ODE so that I will arrive at an easier solution?

i.e. I need a formula in terms of y...
 
So, you are saying [tex]t = tan^{-1} (C'' y) + C'''[/tex] is too complicated?
I don't think you could simplify this further...
 
how do I represent the equation in terms of y?

btw, thanks for the help so far
 
[tex]\int dt = \int \frac{1}{b}\frac{dy}{1-c/ab y^2}[/tex]
[tex]t + C_0 = \frac {1}{2b} \int \frac{1}{1-\sqrt{c/ab}y} + \frac{1}{1+\sqrt{c/ab}y} dy[/tex]
use [tex]z = \sqrt{c/ab}y[/tex]
[tex]t + C_0 = \frac{1}{2b} \sqrt{ab/c}( ln(1+z) - ln(1-z) + C_1)[/tex]
[tex]t + C_2 = 1/2\sqrt{a/bc} ln (1+z)/(1-z)[/tex]
[tex]e^{2\sqrt{bc/a}t} + C_3 = (1+z)/(1-z)[/tex]
[tex]z = (e^{2\sqrt{bc/a}t} + C_3 -1 ) / (e^{2\sqrt{bc/a}t} + C_3 + 1)[/tex]
[tex]y = \sqrt{ab/c}(e^{2\sqrt{bc/a}t} + C_3 -1 ) / (e^{2\sqrt{bc/a}t} + C_3 + 1)[/tex]
 
Last edited:
That actually helps me quite a bit.
Thank you!
 

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