Showing that x and 1+x² are solutions to this DE

  • Thread starter MuhTheKuh
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In summary, to show that x and 1+x² are solutions to a differential equation (DE), you need to substitute them into the DE and see if they satisfy the equation. A differential equation (DE) is an equation that involves an unknown function and its derivatives. X and 1+x² are considered solutions to a DE because when they are substituted into the equation, they satisfy the equation. Yes, there can be more than one solution to a DE, as most DEs have an infinite number of solutions. Finding solutions to a DE is important because it helps us understand and predict real-world phenomena and solve practical problems.
  • #1
MuhTheKuh
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Hiya guys, I'm stuck on this new topic...
How do I show that x and 1+x² are both solutions to
(1-x²)*(d²y/dx²)+2x*(dy/dx)-2y=0
?

Thanks for your time
 
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  • #2
A solution to a differential equation is one which, if you substitute it for y in your equation, you get zero on the left hand side like you're supposed to.

Can you substitute y=x and y=1+x2 into [tex] (1-x^2)\frac{d^2 y}{dx^2} + 2x \frac{dy}{dx} - 2y[/tex] and see what you get?
 

1. How do you show that x and 1+x² are solutions to this DE?

To show that x and 1+x² are solutions to a differential equation (DE), you need to substitute them into the DE and see if they satisfy the equation. If they do, they are considered solutions to the DE.

2. What is a differential equation (DE)?

A differential equation is an equation that involves an unknown function and its derivatives. It is used to describe relationships between a function and its derivatives in various fields of science and engineering.

3. Why are x and 1+x² considered solutions to this DE?

X and 1+x² are considered solutions to a DE because when they are substituted into the equation, they satisfy the equation. This means that they can help us find the unknown function that satisfies the DE.

4. Can there be more than one solution to a DE?

Yes, there can be more than one solution to a DE. In fact, most DEs have an infinite number of solutions. This is because we can add any constant value to a solution and it will still satisfy the DE.

5. What is the importance of finding solutions to a DE?

Finding solutions to a DE is important because it helps us understand and predict how a system will behave over time. DEs are used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and economics to model real-world phenomena and make predictions. Solutions to DEs also allow us to solve practical problems and optimize processes.

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