# Homework Help: Solutions for x<0

1. Dec 10, 2011

### Konig

Hi,

I have solved a differential equation (1) for x, where i think is a real variable.

(1) $$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{x^{\frac{3}{2}} (1+x)^2}$$

And get a solution

$$y(x) = \frac{2}{\sqrt{x}} - \frac{\sqrt{x}}{(1+x)} - 3 \arctan{\sqrt{x}}$$

Now, i want to find solutions for x<0, and i have said that the above is a solution for x>0.

So far i have simply done a coord transformation x→-x and then solved this equation

$$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{x^{\frac{3}{2}} (1-x)^2}$$

and then substituted in "-x" under my square roots.

Is this a correct way of finding x<0?

Konig.

Last edited: Dec 10, 2011
2. Dec 10, 2011

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
What do you plan to do about the square root of negative numbers?

3. Dec 10, 2011

### Konig

So $$\sqrt{-x}, x<0$$ will give a positive answer.

Although im not sure what to do about the $$x^{\frac{3}{2}}$$ part of the equation.

The answer should have natural logs and some x terms.

the solution of $$\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{x^{\frac{3}{2}} (1-x)^2}$$

gives a similar answer to what i need which gives me hope. But im not sure what the do with the first terms, eg there signs etc.

thanks.

4. Dec 10, 2011

### SammyS

Staff Emeritus
You can't arbitrarily change the sign of x under the radical.

This will show the problem:
$\displaystyle\sqrt{x}=\sqrt{(-1)(-1)x}$
$\displaystyle =\left(\sqrt{-1}\,\right)\sqrt{-x}$​

What will you do with $\sqrt{-1}\,?$ -- even if you call it i .