Solving Differential Equations: Challenges & Solutions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a differential equation that is confirmed to be exact, yet the professor instructs students to multiply by a common denominator, which alters its exactness. Participants agree that the original equation remains exact without this multiplication. The key takeaway is that integrating the exact equation directly provides the solution, and simplifying partial derivatives is unnecessary. The final solution involves integrating the components of the exact equation to find the function F(x,y).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of exact differential equations
  • Knowledge of partial derivatives
  • Familiarity with integration techniques
  • Concept of total derivatives in multivariable calculus
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the method of integrating exact differential equations
  • Learn about total derivatives and their applications in solving differential equations
  • Explore the implications of using common denominators in differential equations
  • Practice problems involving simplification of partial derivatives
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on differential equations, as well as educators seeking to clarify the concept of exact equations and their solutions.

Destroxia
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Homework Statement



Solve the Differential Equation:[/B]

question.jpg


When I take the partial derivative of each of these equations, I do indeed get that it is exact...

However, when I do it the way my professor wants me to do it, I don't get the same result.
He told us to multiply through by the common denominator. I have tried it multiple times, and the result never comes out as exact. Multiplying by the common denominator is altering the equation and making it not exact, but that's the way he wants us to do it. Am I doing something wrong?

Homework Equations



Exact equation, integrating factor using common denominator

The Attempt at a Solution



workexact.jpg
 
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You are right, the original equation is exact, and multiplying it with the common denominator makes it non-exact.
You can choose any path to integrate it.
 
ehild said:
You are right, the original equation is exact, and multiplying it with the common denominator makes it non-exact.
You can choose any path to integrate it.

Is there anyway I could simplify the partial derivatives, do you think? The teacher somehow got this down to having no denominator, but then he erased it. I can't see anyway to do it myself... Even if I multiply both groups in parenthesis by their own respective common denominators, instead of multiplying the entirety of it by the CD of all, it still comes out as non-exact. I've also tried using the common denominator to bring together the separate fractions, which obviously is still the correct partial derivative because I'm not altering the equation by doing so, but it doesn't make partial derivative without a denominator.
 
RyanTAsher said:
Is there anyway I could simplify the partial derivatives, do you think? The teacher somehow got this down to having no denominator, but then he erased it. I can't see anyway to do it myself... Even if I multiply both groups in parenthesis by their own respective common denominators, instead of multiplying the entirety of it by the CD of all, it still comes out as non-exact. I've also tried using the common denominator to bring together the separate fractions, which obviously is still the correct partial derivative because I'm not altering the equation by doing so, but it doesn't make partial derivative without a denominator.
Why do you want to simplify the partial derivatives?
You have a differential equation which proved to be exact as it is. The expression on the left side is total derivative of a function F(x,y).

##\left(\frac {2x}{y}-\frac{y}{x^2+y^2}\right)dx+\left(\frac{x}{x^2+y^2}-\frac{x^2}{y^2}\right)dy=dF(x,y)##

You need to find F(x,y). Integrate the equation:

##\int\left(\left(\frac {2x}{y}-\frac{y}{x^2+y^2}\right)dx+\left(\frac{x}{x^2+y^2}-\frac{x^2}{y^2}\right)dy\right)=F(x,y) + C##
 
RyanTAsher said:

Homework Statement



Solve the Differential Equation:

question.jpg


When I take the partial derivative of each of these equations, I do indeed get that it is exact. However, when I do it the way my professor wants me to do it, I don't get the same result. He told us to multiply through by the common denominator. I have tried it multiple times, and the result never comes out as exact. Multiplying by the common denominator is altering the equation and making it not exact, but that's the way he wants us to do it. Am I doing something wrong?

Homework Equations



Exact equation, integrating factor using common denominator

The Attempt at a Solution



workexact.jpg
Is there some reason you're expecting the resulting equation to be exact? It sounds like your professor doesn't want you to solve it that way.
 
ehild said:
Why do you want to simplify the partial derivatives?
You have a differential equation which proved to be exact as it is. The expression on the left side is total derivative of a function F(x,y).
You need to find F(x,y). Integrate the equation:

So I just need to integrate either M or N first, if I label them respectively as so?

vela said:
Is there some reason you're expecting the resulting equation to be exact? It sounds like your professor doesn't want you to solve it that way.

Not sure, He wrote "Exact" right next to the problem in the notes, so I guess it infers we have to solve it exactly. Unless of course, there is a more simple way to solve it, which I don't see.
 
work.jpg


Here is my conclusion of work to the problem, it works out with the books answer, so thank you for all your time helping me answer this questions!
 
Nice work! :oldsmile:
 

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