# Solve the initial-value problem

1. Sep 13, 2014

### _N3WTON_

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
$\frac{dy}{dx} = y^2 - 4$
$y(0) = -6$

2. Relevant equations
The idea behind this problem is to use the separation of variables technique for solving differential equations.

3. The attempt at a solution
I have separated the equation to get:
$\int{\frac{dy}{y^2 -4}} = \int 1\, dx$
Now I will have to not use latex because I do not know how to enter inverse hyperbolic functions in latex, but my integrals work out to:
atanh(y/2) = -2x+C
y/2 = tanh(2x+C)
y = 2tanh(2x+C)
Now I am unsure how to solve for C using the initial value, my ability to solve inverse hyperbolic functions is severely lacking lol
Edit: If somebody knows how to enter hyperbolic/inverse hyperbolic functions on Latex please let me know so that I can make my equations more reader friendly

Last edited: Sep 13, 2014
2. Sep 13, 2014

### LCKurtz

Use \tanh for the hyperbolic tangent, don't know about the arc hyperbolic tangent since \arctanh doesn't do it.

Anyway, if you are uncomfortable with the hyperbolics, just use partial fractions on the y integral and work it directly with logarithms.

[Edit, added:] At the line where you have $\textrm{arctanh}(\frac y 2) =-2x+C$ you can put $x=0,~y=6$ giving $\textrm{arctanh}(\frac 6 2) =-2\cdot 0+C$ which gives $C= \textrm{arctanh}(3)$. Also I believe you dropped a minus sign after that.

Last edited: Sep 13, 2014
3. Sep 13, 2014

### _N3WTON_

thanks, I was thinking I could possibly convert the hyperbolic tangent into e terms in order to solve for C

4. Sep 13, 2014

### LCKurtz

Note that while you were typing this, I edited post #2 to show how to calculate C directly.

5. Sep 13, 2014

### _N3WTON_

thank you, so for my final equation I ended up with:
$y = tanh(-2x + arctanh(3))$
I am wondering if I can possibly simplify this by writing:
$y = tanh(-2x) + 3$
or is that not correct?

6. Sep 13, 2014

### LCKurtz

Did you drop a $2$? And no, you don't get to make up formulas for tanh(a+b).

7. Sep 13, 2014

### _N3WTON_

you're right i did, sorry so it should be:
$y = 2tanh(-2x + arctanh(3))$