Solving Bernoulli Differential Equation: y'+2/x y=y^3/x^2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a Bernoulli differential equation of the form y' + (2/x)y = (y^3/x^2). Participants are exploring various substitution methods and integration techniques to approach the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant attempts a substitution u = y^(-2) but faces challenges in maintaining consistency in the equations. Others question the clarity and justification of the substitution and the definitions of functions p(x) and q(x). There is a suggestion to divide the equation by the highest power of y to achieve a linear form. Another participant expresses confusion about the purpose of the substitution and its effectiveness.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's contributions, raising questions about the validity of substitutions and integration factors. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration process, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of examples or clear definitions for the functions involved, which contributes to the confusion. Participants are also reflecting on their understanding of the Bernoulli equation and its solution methods.

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[tex]y'+\frac{2}{x}y=\frac{y^3}{x^2}[/tex]

[tex]u=y^-^2[/tex]

so [tex]y'+(1-3)p(x)u=(1-3)q(x)[/tex]

[tex]y'-2(2x)u=-2y^3/x^2[/tex]

[tex]y'-4x/y^2=-2y^3/x^2[/tex]

integration factor is [tex]e^{{-2x}^2}[/tex]

is this right so far?
 
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I can't follow your work, you make a substitution, but then it seems that you don't really use it because the next to last equation you have involves both u and y when making it should only involve one or the other not both. What are p(x) and q(x) you don't define them and it isn't obvious at all what they are.

When you have a differential equation like this you want to make the substitution that you did, but then you should divide the entire equation by the highest power of y that is present and then use the substitution so that you will get a linear first order differential equation in u, and then you can solve for the function u and use the substitution to find what y should be.EDIT: Oh I can see what you did now, but none of it is justified at all. When you make that substitution you need to use it. It seems as though you arbitrarily picked out functions to be p(x) and q(x) for no reason at all and just sort of attached u to the equation, you should have realized that this is wrong since you end up with an equation that is entirely different from the one you started with.
 
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[tex]p(x)=2/x[/tex]

[tex]q(x)=1/x^2[/tex]

Ok, yeah there are no examples just the form of a Bernouill Equation so I don't really know what to do.

I don't see what the point of the sub [tex]u=y^{1-n}[/tex] is?

I know it is suppose to make it linear..I gueess mine is wrong though..that might be the reason haha
EDIT:wiki explains it better, I am going to go try it again
 
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suspenc3 said:
I don't see what the point of the sub [tex]u=y^{1-n}[/tex] is?

I know it is suppose to make it linear..I gueess mine is wrong though..that might be the reason haha
EDIT:wiki explains it better, I am going to go try it again

Well you didn't really use the substitution initially you kind of just attached a u to the equation so that's why it didn't work.
 
ok i tried again let [tex]u=1/y^2[/tex]
[tex]y'y^{-3}+ \frac{2}{x}y^{-2} = \frac{1}{x^2}[/tex]

[tex]du/dx - 4u/x = -2/x^2[/tex]

[tex]I(x)=e^{2 \int lnx} = x^2[/tex]

[tex]du/dx x^2 - 4xu = -2[/tex]

[tex]x^2u = \int-2[/tex]

[tex]x^2u=-2x+C[/tex]

[tex]u = -2/x + C/x^2[/tex]

[tex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{\frac{-2}{x}+\frac{C}{x^2}}} = y[/tex]
 
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Your integrating factor is wrong. You should have integrated -4/x not 2/x. and then raised e to that power to get your integrating factor.
 
Riiiiight, Thanks!
 
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