Can Non-linear Systems be Solved Analytically?

In summary, the conversation discusses a system of differential equations that has been numerically solved with specified constants. The plot of one variable, beta, shows a peak. The speaker is looking for suggestions on how to use approximations, such as linearization, to estimate the distance between a point where dbeta/dx is approximately zero and the peak of beta. There is confusion around the initial conditions and the relation to the heat equation.
  • #1
arnold4life
9
0
Hello,

I have numerically solved the system below:

dalpha/dx = -beta/(c_1)
dbeta/dx = -(c_2)*beta/(c_1)+(c_3)*gamma*dgamma/dx
dgamma/dx = (c_4)*[alpha^(c_5)]/c_2

where c_1, c_2, etc. are specified constants. If one plots beta as a function of x, there's a peak. I would like to use some approximations (perhaps linearization?) to get the distance between a region where dbeta/dx is approximately zero and where there is a peak in beta, after given an initial value of alpha, beta, and gamma where dbeta/dx ~ 0. Any suggestions?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
arnold4life said:
Hello,

I have numerically solved the system below:

dalpha/dx = -beta/(c_1)
dbeta/dx = -(c_2)*beta/(c_1)+(c_3)*gamma*dgamma/dx
dgamma/dx = (c_4)*[alpha^(c_5)]/c_2

where c_1, c_2, etc. are specified constants. If one plots beta as a function of x, there's a peak. I would like to use some approximations (perhaps linearization?) to get the distance between a region where dbeta/dx is approximately zero and where there is a peak in beta, after given an initial value of alpha, beta, and gamma where dbeta/dx ~ 0. Any suggestions?

That's not clear. For starters, if you ran it and got a result, then you must have used numbers for the constants. Re-post the system with the actual values of the constants, nicely preferably like:

[tex]
\begin{aligned}
\frac{d\alpha}{dx}&=-\frac{\beta}{2.5}&\quad, \alpha(x_0)=\alpha_0 \\
\frac{d\beta}{dx}&=-\frac{3.2 \beta}{1.4}+0.5 \gamma \frac{d\gamma}{dx}&\quad, \beta(x_0)=\beta_0 \\
\frac{d\gamma}{dx}&=\frac{9.2 \alpha^{2.5}}{4}&\quad, \gamma(x_0)=\gamma_0
\end{aligned}
[/tex]

or whatever. Still though don't understand what you want. Maybe you could post a plot of beta showing what you wish to compute.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Ok, here's the system with constants. I made an error before too, for some reason the preview post is acting up with latex. Second equation should be multiplied by 0.89 in the last term. And the last equation below should have a gamma on the right hand side.

[tex]
\frac{d\alpha}{dx}=-\frac{\beta}{1.0}
[/tex]

[tex]
\frac{d\beta}{dx}=-\frac{0.89 \beta}{1.0}+0.5\frac{d\gamma}{dx}0.89
[/tex]

[tex]
\frac{d\gamma}{dx}= \frac{0.1 \alpha^{8.0}}{0.89}\gamma
[/tex]

For the plot of beta, the solution is very similar to that of the heat equation with the x=0 end fixed to zero and the other end fixed to some small value of beta say 0.003. So if I'm at the end where beta = 0.003, alpha = 0.505, gamma = 0.98 and dbeta/dx is approx. zero, how can I estimate the distance between this point and the point where beta is a maximum?
 
  • #4
That came out correct.
 
  • #5
ok. Thank you. Not sure I can run it in NDSolve in Mathematica tonight but give me some time if you're not in a hurry.
 
  • #6
That would be great, thank you.
 
  • #7
It might not require Mathematica if some type linearization approximation can be made, but I'm not completely sure.
 
  • #8
arnold4life said:
Ok, here's the system with constants. I made an error before too, for some reason the preview post is acting up with latex. Second equation should be multiplied by 0.89 in the last term. And the last equation below should have a gamma on the right hand side.

[tex]
\frac{d\alpha}{dx}=-\frac{\beta}{1.0}
[/tex]

[tex]
\frac{d\beta}{dx}=-\frac{0.89 \beta}{1.0}+0.5\frac{d\gamma}{dx}0.89
[/tex]

[tex]
\frac{d\gamma}{dx}= \frac{0.1 \alpha^{8.0}}{0.89}\gamma
[/tex]

For the plot of beta, the solution is very similar to that of the heat equation with the x=0 end fixed to zero and the other end fixed to some small value of beta say 0.003. So if I'm at the end where beta = 0.003, alpha = 0.505, gamma = 0.98 and dbeta/dx is approx. zero, how can I estimate the distance between this point and the point where beta is a maximum?

Arnold, that's still not clear at all. You didn't give the initial conditions. Also, simplify the equations:

[tex]
\begin{aligned}
\frac{d\alpha}{dx}&=-\beta&\quad, \alpha(x_0)=\alpha_0 \\
\frac{d\beta}{dx}&=-0.89 \beta+0.05 \alpha^8&\quad, \beta(x_0)=\beta_0 \\
\frac{d\gamma}{dx}&=\frac{1}{8.9} \gamma \alpha^8&\quad, \gamma(x_0)=\gamma_0
\end{aligned}
[/tex]

And this part:

For the plot of beta, the solution is very similar to that of the heat equation with the x=0 end fixed to zero and the other end fixed to some small value of beta say 0.003. So if I'm at the end where beta = 0.003, alpha = 0.505, gamma = 0.98 and dbeta/dx is approx. zero, how can I estimate the distance between this point and the point where beta is a maximum?

is very unclear. The solution to the 1-D heat equation is a 2-D surface, beta(x) is a curve and when you say, "at the end where beta=0.003, alpha=0.505, gamma=0.98" is very misleading in terms of relating it to the heat equation and the last phrase is confusing as well. I don't wish to just give up on you though.

Here's what I did, I solved it via NDSolve with initial conditions alpha=0.505, beta=0.003, gamma=0.98, from x=0 to 10, then plotted beta. The plot below is what I got. How is that not what you want?

Code:
mysol = NDSolve[
   {Derivative[1][\[Alpha]][t] == -\[Beta][t], 
    Derivative[1][\[Beta]][t] == 
     -0.89*\[Beta][t] + 0.05*\[Alpha][t]^8, 
    Derivative[1][\[Gamma]][t] == 
     \[Gamma][t]*(\[Alpha][t]^8/8.9), 
    \[Alpha][0] == 0.505, \[Beta][0] == 0.003, 
    \[Gamma][0] == 0.98}, {\[Alpha], \[Beta], \[Gamma]}, 
   {t, 0, 10}]
myplot = Plot[Evaluate[\[Beta][t]] /. mysol, 
   {t, 0, 10}, PlotRange -> 
    {{0, 10}, {0, 0.003}}]\
 

Attachments

  • betaplot.jpg
    betaplot.jpg
    7.2 KB · Views: 357
  • #9
It's better to leave in those constants separately instead of combining them. If I'm after an analytical solution, there's probably only a solution for certain parameters or constants. I've attached a plot of beta. At x=1000, beta = 0.0003 and dbeta/dx is appoximately zero. From here, how can I analytically find the distance between x=1000.0 and the peak as function of the initial conditions and initial constants.
 
  • #10
Hmm...didn't attach.
 

Attachments

  • beta.pdf
    18.9 KB · Views: 290
  • #11
arnold4life said:
It's better to leave in those constants separately instead of combining them. If I'm after an analytical solution, there's probably only a solution for certain parameters or constants. I've attached a plot of beta. At x=1000, beta = 0.0003 and dbeta/dx is appoximately zero. From here, how can I analytically find the distance between x=1000.0 and the peak as function of the initial conditions and initial constants.

Assuming the equations as you've written them, what initial conditions are you using to generate that graph?
 
  • #12
beta (x=1000) = 0.000328129045, gamma = 0.965029518992, alpha = 0.527852167165
 
  • #13
There is a method called Singular Perturbation method where explicitly set [itex]\frac{d \beta}{dx}=0[/itex] and then replace the resulting numbers in the other equations. Then you analyze the stability of that system and compare it with the original system. That will give you an idea of the validity of this approximation. You can also set it to a nonzero number.

This is usually done in the systems where fast and slow dynamics are separated and fast dynamics are neglected, since if they are stable dynamics they saturate to the limit pretty fast as if they were constant in the first place. Actually that is how the simple DC motor model in engineering is derived from the original nonlinear model.
 
Last edited:
  • #14
Thats a good suggestion, I look into it. The thing is, I know that the solution to this system is a power law, and that the distance to the peak only relies on the constants which are 0.89, 0.1, and alpha^8.0. I got this from the numerical solution, but getting something this simple analytically is proving to be difficult.
 

1. What is a non-linear system?

A non-linear system is a mathematical model or set of equations that cannot be solved using simple algebraic techniques. This means that the equations involved do not have a linear relationship, and the output is not directly proportional to the input.

2. Why is it important to solve non-linear systems?

Many real-world problems involve non-linear relationships, such as those found in biological, economic, and engineering systems. By solving non-linear systems, we can better understand and predict the behavior of these complex systems and make more accurate decisions.

3. What are some methods for solving non-linear systems?

Some common methods for solving non-linear systems include substitution, elimination, and graphing. Other more advanced techniques include Newton's method, Broyden's method, and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm.

4. Can a non-linear system have more than one solution?

Yes, a non-linear system can have multiple solutions or no solutions at all, depending on the complexity of the equations and the number of variables involved. In some cases, there may also be infinitely many solutions.

5. Are there any limitations to solving non-linear systems?

Yes, solving non-linear systems can be challenging and computationally demanding, especially when dealing with systems with many variables or complex equations. Additionally, there may not always be a closed-form solution, and numerical methods may be required to approximate the solutions.

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
781
  • Differential Equations
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
511
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
29
Views
881
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top