Solving Exact Diff. Eq: (5x+4y)dx+(4x-8y^3)dy=0

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter find_the_fun
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining whether the given differential equation is exact and how to solve it. Participants explore the conditions for exactness, the integration process, and the implications of constants in the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the differential equation is exact based on the equality of partial derivatives, specifically stating that \(\frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial N}{\partial x}\).
  • Others challenge the identification of \(N(x,y)\), suggesting it should be \(-(x + 6y)\), leading to a conclusion that the equation is inexact.
  • One participant describes the integration process to find \(g(y)\) and expresses uncertainty about the role of the constant \(C\) in the solution.
  • Another participant clarifies that \(C\) can be omitted in the implicit equation because it can be set equal to an arbitrary constant.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of level curves and how they relate to the solutions of the exact equation, questioning the interpretation of the constant in the context of the z-direction.
  • Participants note that multiplying through by -1 does not change the nature of the constant \(C\), as it remains an arbitrary constant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the identification of \(N(x,y)\) and whether the equation is exact. While some agree on the integration steps, there is no consensus on the implications of the constant \(C\) and its treatment in the solution.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the assumptions made regarding the constants in the solution and the interpretation of the level curves in relation to the z-direction.

find_the_fun
Messages
147
Reaction score
0
Determine whether the given differential equation is exact. If it is, solve it.

[math](5x+4y)dx+(4x-8y^3)dy=0[/math]

So [math]M(x, y) = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]N(x, y)=4x-8y^3[/math]
Then [math]\frac{\partial M}{\partial Y} = 4[/math] and [math]\frac{\partial N}{\partial y} = 4[/math] therefore the equation is exact and there exists a function f such that

[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]\frac{ \partial f}{\partial y} = 4x-8y^3[/math]

[math]\int 5x+4 dx = \frac{5}{2}x^2+4xy=g(y) = f(x,y)[/math]
[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 4x+g'(y) = 4x-8y^3[/math]

Now how do I solve for g(y)?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
find_the_fun said:
Determine whether the given differential equation is exact. If it is, solve it.

[math](2x+y)dx-(x+6y)dy=0[/math]

So [math]M(x, y) = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]N(x, y)=4x-8y^3)[/math]
Then [math]\frac{\partial M}{\partial Y} = 4[/math] and [math]\frac{\partial N}{\partial y} = 4[/math] therefore the equation is exact and there exists a function f such that

[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]\frac{ \partial f}{\partial y} = 4x-8y^3[/math]

[math]\int 5x+4 dx = \frac{5}{2}x^2+4xy=g(y) = f(x,y)[/math]
[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 4x+g'(y) = 4x-8y^3[/math]

Now how do I solve for g(y)?

How did you get $N(x,y) = 4x - 8y^3$? It should be $N(x,y) = -(x + 6y)$, in which case $N_x = -1 \neq 1 = M_y$ and hence the equation is inexact.

Are you showing two different problems, one which is $(2x + y) dx - (x + 6y) dy = 0$ and the other which is $(5x + 4y) dx + (4x - 8y^3) dy = 0$?
 
Euge said:
How did you get $N(x,y) = 4x - 8y^3$? It should be $N(x,y) = -(x + 6y)$, in which case $N_x = -1 \neq 1 = M_y$ and hence the equation is inexact.

Are you showing two different problems, one which is $(2x + y) dx - (x + 6y) dy = 0$ and the other which is $(5x + 4y) dx + (4x - 8y^3) dy = 0$?

Sorry I copied the wrong question. It's fixed now.
 
find_the_fun said:
Determine whether the given differential equation is exact. If it is, solve it.

[math](5x+4y)dx+(4x-8y^3)dy=0[/math]

So [math]M(x, y) = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]N(x, y)=4x-8y^3[/math]
Then [math]\frac{\partial M}{\partial Y} = 4[/math] and [math]\frac{\partial N}{\partial y} = 4[/math] therefore the equation is exact and there exists a function f such that

[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 5x+4y[/math] and [math]\frac{ \partial f}{\partial y} = 4x-8y^3[/math]

[math]\int 5x+4 dx = \frac{5}{2}x^2+4xy=g(y) = f(x,y)[/math]
[math]\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 4x+g'(y) = 4x-8y^3[/math]

Now how do I solve for g(y)?

From $4x + g'(y) = 4x - 8y^3$, we get $g'(y) = -8y^3$. By integration, $g(y) = -2y^4 + C$, where $C$ is an arbitrary constant.
 
Euge said:
From $4x + g'(y) = 4x - 8y^3$, we get $g'(y) = -8y^3$. By integration, $g(y) = -2y^4 + C$, where $C$ is an arbitrary constant.

Ok. My textbook does a really poor job at explaining this step but I notice it doesn't include $C$. Can it be omitted for some reason, for example because you set the entire implicit equation equal to an arbitrary constant?

For example the answer is [math]\frac{5}{2}x^2+4xy-2y^4=c[/math] and not[math]\frac{5}{2}x^2+4xy-2y^4+c_1=c_2[/math]
 
Last edited:
find_the_fun said:
Ok. My textbook does a really poor job at explaining this step but I notice it doesn't include $C$. Can it be omitted for some reason, for example because you set the entire implicit equation equal to an arbitrary constant?

Yes, that's right.
 
Euge said:
Yes, that's right.

Actually I don't quite get what's going on. It seems like with exact equations we go through the steps to find a function f(x, y) we pulled out of thin air and now we say it's equal to some constant. How do we know it's equal to a constant? That basically means it doesn't change in the z-direction right?
 
Also the answer key often multiplies through by -1 but c is still c and not -c, is that the same reason?
 
$C$ is an arbitrary real constant, right? Then $-C$ is also an arbitrary real constant. You can replace it by $C$ without loss of generality.
 
  • #10
find_the_fun said:
Actually I don't quite get what's going on. It seems like with exact equations we go through the steps to find a function f(x, y) we pulled out of thin air and now we say it's equal to some constant. How do we know it's equal to a constant? That basically means it doesn't change in the z-direction right?

Suppose you have an exact equation $M(x,y)\, dx + N(x,y)\,dy = 0$ in a domain $D \subset \Bbb R^2$. There is an $f : D \to \Bbb R$ such that $f_x = M$ and $f_y = N$. So the differential $df = f_x\, dx + f_y\, dy = M\, dx + N\, dy = 0$. The solutions to $df = 0$ are the level curves of the surface $z = f(x,y)$ in $D \times \Bbb R$. For every constant $C$, $d(f + C) = df + dC = df + 0 = 0$. It follows that for every constant $C$, the set level curves of $z = f(x,y)$ is equal to the set of level curves of $z = f(x,y) + C$. So the one-parameter family of solutions $f(x,y) = \text{constant}$ is unaffected by a translation in the $z$-direction.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K