Simultaneous differential equation of second order

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a simultaneous second-order differential equation that describes the motion of a point mass around another mass in a Cartesian coordinate system. The equations presented are: \(\frac{\mbox{d}^2x}{\mbox{d}t^2}=-GMx\left(x^2+y^2\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) and \(\frac{\mbox{d}^2y}{\mbox{d}t^2}=-GMy\left(x^2+y^2\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\). The original poster sought a more efficient method than substitution for solving these equations, ultimately discovering that transforming to polar coordinates simplifies the solution process.

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Hello
sorry for my English, i know its bad;)
I have a simultaneous differential equation of second order (moving of point mass around point mass M in beginning of cartesian system)
[tex]\begin{cases}\frac{\mbox{d}^2x}{\mbox{d}t^2}=-GMx\left(x^2+y^2\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\\ \frac{\mbox{d}^2y}{\mbox{d}t^2}=-GMy\left(x^2+y^2\right)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\end{cases}[/tex]
and I need to find how x and y changes depending on t.
solving by substitution takes very long time, so other method which allows to solve it in shorter and more simply way would be appreciated;)
i am not sure if this thread is good for this topic, please move it if its bad location
thanks for your help;)
 
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Newton solved those equations in polar coordinates. I have never seen them solved in Cartesian coordinates.
 
yeah, i came to it that it must be in polar system, i solved it and everything is good:)
 

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