Solving a hard DE: R'(t)=k*4*pi*R(t)^2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the differential equation R'(t) = k*4*pi*R(t)^2, with initial conditions R(0) = 5 and R'(0) = -0.001. Participants are exploring methods to solve this equation and verifying the correctness of solutions obtained using software like Maple.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss methods for verifying the solution by differentiating, while others question the complexity of the problem and suggest that it may not be as difficult as implied. There are inquiries about how to approach solving the DE manually.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various perspectives on the difficulty of the DE and the validity of the original poster's attempts. Some participants provide guidance on checking solutions, while others express curiosity about manual solving techniques. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach or the difficulty level.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the use of software for solving the DE and express uncertainty about the variable k. There are also references to different editions of resources, indicating potential confusion about materials used for study.

Mathman2013
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Homework Statement
solving the following ODE (Hard)
Relevant Equations
R'(t)=k*4*pi*R(t)^2
I have the following DE, R'(t) = k*4*pi*R(t)^2, where R(0) = 5, and R'(0) =-0.001. I have attempted to solve it Maple, and would like to know if I have done it correctly?
maple_file.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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Mathman2013 said:
would like to know if I have done it correctly
The way to check that you (Maple?) have done it correctly is to differentiate twice and see if it matches !
You don't need PF to do that for you, do you :wink: ?

[edit] and what about entry 1 ?
[edit2] Strike the 'twice' o:) :wink: .

##\ ##
 
Last edited:
BvU said:
The way to check that you (Maple?) have done it correctly is to differentiate twice and see if it matches !
You don't need PF to do that for you, do you :wink: ?

[edit] and what about entry 1 ?

##\ ##

I can't find k if I select entry 1.
 
How wold you go about if you had to solve this DE yourself ?

You mention 'hard' but it really isn't difficult ...

##\ ##
 
BvU said:
The way to check that you (Maple?) have done it correctly is to differentiate twice and see if it matches !
The DE is first order, so the OP needs only to differentiate the solution function once.
 
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This DE is solvable by hand. Notice that the original equation can be written as
dR/R^2 = Constant*dt
 
BvU said:
What are you asking?
 
BvU said:
How wold you go about if you had to solve this DE yourself ?
 
  • #10
Wrong mathman. You want the 2013 edition.
 
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  • #11
Oops ! o:) sorry.
 
  • #12
If this DE is hard, I wonder what this topic looks like when the variables are not separable :P
 
  • #13

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