Solving ODE: y = $\sqrt {x\ln (x)}$ w/ Initial Conditions

supercali
Messages
53
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


given this ODE with initial conditions y(1)=0
\[<br /> (x + y^2 )dx - 2xydy = 0<br /> \]

Homework Equations


solving this ODE gives us
\[y = \sqrt {x\ln (x)} \]
as we can see this equation is true only for x>=1
in order to use the theorem on existence and uniqueness we isulate for y'=f(x,y)
\[y&#039; = \frac{{(x + y^2 )}}{{2xy}}\]
and we can see that when y=0 the equation is not defined

The Attempt at a Solution


my question is
1) if x>=1 does that mean that the bound for y is y>=0?
2)if it meaas that y>=0 then should i conclude that the theorem on existence and uniqueness does not apply here since the function is not continuous thus we can't say that the solution is unique? what does it mean
thanks for the help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, since (x+y^2)/(2xy) does not exist when y=0, the "existence and uniqueness" theorem does not hold here. That means we cannot conclude that a unique solution exists on any open interval around x= 1. But it might be true anyway.

What you have done is find a solution, y= \sqrt{xln(x)}, That is defined only for x> 1 (and y must be positive)- that is not defined on an open interval containing x= 1. But, in fact, what happens here is that there DOES exist a solution on an interval around x= 1: y= 0 for all x is such a second solution. The solution is not unique on the x> 1.
 
HallsofIvy said:
But, in fact, what happens here is that there DOES exist a solution on an interval around x= 1: y= 0 for all x is such a second solution. The solution is not unique on the x> 1.


if can please elaborate more i don't think i understand what you mean
 
What part do you not understand? Surely it is obvious that y= 0 for all x is a solution to that problem.
 
well y=0 is not a solution as i see it if i put it in my original equation it doesn't solve it

what i don't understand is if for these initial conditions the theorem on uniqueness and existence apply or not? and if it doesn't apply what can i say on the solution i found hence is it a solution or not?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top