Solving Exact Differential Equations: An Attempt at a Solution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an exact differential equation represented by the equation dy/dx = (x + 3y) / (3x + y). Participants are exploring methods to manipulate this equation into a suitable form for analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to express the equation in the form of an exact equation but encounters issues with the equality of partial derivatives. They consider the possibility of using an integrating factor but find that their calculations do not yield a function of a single variable. Other participants suggest a substitution method, leading to further manipulation of the equation and separation of variables.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing guidance on the next steps after the substitution. There is a recognition of potential errors in calculations, and the discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify and verify the reasoning behind the steps taken.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of uncertainty regarding the manipulation of logarithmic expressions and the handling of natural logs, as well as concerns about making simple errors during calculations.

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Homework Statement



[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{x+3y}{3x+y}[/tex]

Homework Equations



M(x,y)dx+N(x,y)dy=0

Exact equation (I think)

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok, so I try to put it in the form of the of an exact equation, like above, but I end up with

-(x+3y)dx+(3x+y)dy=0

This results in the partial of M with respect to y being -3 and the Partial of N with respect to x being 3, which is not equal!

I tried investigating to see if there is an integrating factor but [tex]\frac{M_{y}-N_{x}}{N}[/tex] and [tex]\frac{N_{x}-M_{y}}{M}[/tex] are not functions of just one variable. What am I doing wrong? Different method? Algebra mistake?

Thanks
 
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Try using a substitution of y=vx.
 
ok, so

[tex]y=vx[/tex]

and

[tex]dy=vdx+xdv[/tex]



[tex](-x-3vx)dx+(3x+vx)(vdx+xdv)=0[/tex] So far so good...



[tex]-xdx+xv^{2}dx+3x^{2}dv+vx^{2}dv=0[/tex] Collect like terms...



[tex]x(v^{2}-1)dx+x^{2}(3+v)dv=0[/tex] Factor out like terms...



[tex]\frac{1}{x}dx=\frac{-(3+v)}{(v^{2}-1)}dv[/tex] separate variables...is this right? I tend to make a lot of simple errors, no matter how many times I check my work...

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
That should be correct. Now just split the function in 'v' into partial fractions and integrate.
 
Ok so...

[tex]\frac{1}{x}=\frac{1}{v+1}-\frac{2}{v-1}[/tex]

[tex]\int\frac{1}{x}dx=\int(\frac{1}{v+1}-\frac{2}{v-1})dv[/tex]

[tex]ln(x)=ln(v+1)-2ln(v-1)+ln(c)[/tex] Ok I don't really know what to do next, here's a try...

[tex]ln(x)=ln(c\frac{v+1}{(v-1)^{2}})[/tex]

Is this right? I'm not very good with natural logs, hopefully I didn't make a mistake...

Next step would be exponentiate both sides? (Assuming what I just did was right)
 
Well you don't really have to exponentiate both sides since if lnx=lny then x=y.

So essentially, you can just remove the 'ln' and then replace 'v'.
 

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