Solving a first order differential equation

zak8000
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
hi

the differential equation i am attempting to solve is:

\frac {dP} {dx} = \frac {gP} {1+P/Psat}

here is what I have done:

\frac {dP} {dx} = \frac {gP*Psat} {Psat+P}

divide both sides by \frac {Psat+P} {gP*Psat}

to get:
\frac {Psat+P} {P*Psat} \frac {dP} {dx} =g

\int \frac {Psat+P} {P*Psat} dp = \int gdx

\int \frac {dp} {P}+ \int \frac {dp} {Psat} =gx+c
ln(P)+ \frac {P} {Psat} =gx+c

now how do i rearrange P on one side with everything else on the other side
 
Physics news on Phys.org
By realizing, P = ln(eP)
 
Hi zak8000 !

In practice, the equation ln(P)+P/Psat = gx+e is solved thanks to numerical methods.
The analytic solution requieres a special function W(X), namely the Lambert W function.
P/Psat = W(X) with X=exp(gx+e)/Psat
 
Thread 'Direction Fields and Isoclines'
I sketched the isoclines for $$ m=-1,0,1,2 $$. Since both $$ \frac{dy}{dx} $$ and $$ D_{y} \frac{dy}{dx} $$ are continuous on the square region R defined by $$ -4\leq x \leq 4, -4 \leq y \leq 4 $$ the existence and uniqueness theorem guarantees that if we pick a point in the interior that lies on an isocline there will be a unique differentiable function (solution) passing through that point. I understand that a solution exists but I unsure how to actually sketch it. For example, consider a...
Back
Top