Solve this partial diff. equation using substitution

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The discussion revolves around solving a partial differential equation (PDE) using substitution, with participants analyzing the initial attempts and identifying errors. The original equation presented is y * (2ax - bxe^{-x^2/2}) - x * (2ay) = -ybe^{-x^2/2} = xyz, leading to confusion about the correct form of the solution. Participants highlight the need for the chain rule in differentiation and express uncertainty about the clarity of the problem statement. There is also a consensus that a typographical error exists in the notation, specifically regarding the differentiation symbols. The thread emphasizes the importance of correctly applying mathematical principles to solve the PDE effectively.
Addez123
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Homework Statement
$$yx'_x - xz'_y = xyz$$
Solve by variable change:
$$u = x^2 + y^2$$
$$v = e ^{-x^2/2}$$
Relevant Equations
None.
I completely forgot how to solve these so here's my attempt:
$$z = au + bv$$
$$z = a(x^2 + y^2) + be ^{-x^2/2}$$
$$z'_x = 2ax - bxe ^{-x^2/2}$$
$$z'_y = 2ay$$
Put that into the original equation and you get
$$y * (2ax - bxe ^{-x^2/2}) -x * (2ay) = $$
$$-ybe^{-x^2/2} = xyz$$
$$z = -be^{-x^2/2}/x$$

But the solution should be
$$e^{-x^2/2} * f(x^2 + y^2)$$

Did I do everything wrong or just missed something here?
 
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What is ##x'_x##?
 
fresh_42 said:
What is ##x'_x##?
If I extract x from u = x^2 + y^2 I get:
$$x = sqrt(u - y^2)$$
and getting the derivative requires me to replace u, which leads to x = x so idk :/
 
Is the PDE <br /> y\frac{\partial z}{\partial x} - x \frac{\partial z}{\partial y} = xyz

Your "relevant equations" is missing the chain rule: <br /> \frac{\partial z}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial z}{\partial u} \frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial z}{\partial v} \frac{\partial v}{\partial x}
 
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@Addez123 , Why do you think that particular change of variables is helpful for this equation?
I had more success writing the equation as ##\frac{z_x}x-\frac{z_y}y=z##, then reasoning that I needed solutions like ##\frac{z_x}x=Az## etc.
 
Last edited:
Addez has not answered the question asked (#2) which, put another way is: it is not clear what the question is and its formula looks to be a mistranscription so can we be informed/confirmed what our problem is?
 
epenguin said:
Addez has not answered the question asked (#2) which, put another way is: it is not clear what the question is and its formula looks to be a mistranscription so can we be informed/confirmed what our problem is?
It is obvious enough that ##x_x## is a typo for ##z_x##, and that the primes in ##z'_x## etc. are redundant. In post #1, @Addez123 differentiated the expression substituted for z partially wrt x and wrote the result as ##z'_x=...##.
 

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