Solution to differential equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation of the form dy/dx = (1+y^2)/(1+x^2). Participants are exploring various methods to derive a solution and are considering multiple-choice answers provided in the thread.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to integrate both sides of the equation but expresses uncertainty about the next steps. Some participants suggest rearranging the equation and applying the tangent function to simplify the expression. Others provide detailed steps for rewriting and solving for y, leading to a proposed answer.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their reasoning and methods. There is a consensus on the proposed answer E, but the discussion includes different approaches to reach that conclusion, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the depth of exploration or the use of certain resources. The original poster's approach and the subsequent suggestions highlight the complexity of the problem and the need for careful manipulation of the equations involved.

TedMurphy
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Obtain the solution to the differential equation:

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1+y^2}{1+x^2}[/tex]

Multiple choice answer:

a) [tex]\frac{Cx}{1-Cx}[/tex]
b) [tex]\frac{Cx}{1+Cx}[/tex]
c) [tex]\frac{C-x}{1-Cx}[/tex]
d) [tex]\frac{1-Cx}{x+C}[/tex]
e) [tex]\frac{x+C}{1-Cx}[/tex]

Tried integrating two sides to arrive at arctan y = arctan x + C, but not sure how to proceed from there.
 
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Rearrange first to get $$\tan^{-1}y - \tan^{-1}x = C$$ Then take tan on both sides and simplify.
 
I'm going to write the simplification out, because it took me a while.

[tex]\tan^{-1}y - \tan^{-1}x = C[/tex]

In order to take tan on the left side, this equation needs to be re-written as:

[tex]\tan^{-1}\frac{y-x}{1+yx}=C[/tex]

then we can take the tangent of both sides, giving us:

[tex]\frac{y-x}{1+yx}=C[/tex]

then we solve for y:

[tex]{y-x}={C+Cyx}[/tex]

[tex]0 = C+Cyx-y+x[/tex]

[tex]0 = y(Cx-1)+C+x[/tex]

[tex]y = \frac{-C-x}{Cx-1}[/tex]

[tex]y = \frac{x+C}{1-Cx}[/tex]

Answer E above
 
Last edited:
I agree with the answer E, but you can take tan from the beginning: $$ \tan (\tan^{-1}y - \tan^{-1}x) = \tan K$$ Now let ##\tan^{-1}y = \theta,\,\,\,\tan^{-1}x = \phi##, so we have $$\tan(\theta - \phi) = \frac{\tan \theta - \tan \phi}{1 + \tan \theta \tan \phi},$$ using addition formulae. Sub in the above conditions and let ##\tan K = C## then rearrange gives the result.
 

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