Solving Separable Equations - Get Help Now

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a separable differential equation of the form dy/dx = (ay+b)/(cy+d). Participants share their approaches to reorganizing and integrating the equation, while seeking clarification on specific steps and terminology used in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation dy/dx = (ay+b)/(cy+d) and expresses difficulty in solving it, mentioning the need for long division in integration.
  • Another participant suggests an alternative approach to reorganizing the equation without long division, providing a specific algebraic manipulation for cases where c is not equal to zero.
  • A third participant claims to have derived a solution for x in terms of y and constants, asking for clarification on the algebraic steps taken by others.
  • Clarifications are provided regarding the notation c!=0, indicating it means "c not equal to zero," and the role of c as the coefficient of y in the denominator.
  • One participant advocates for using long division in the integration process, proposing a specific method for integrating the equation.
  • Another participant mentions various methods of division, including synthetic division and division by inspection, suggesting that all methods yield the same results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity of long division for solving the integral, with some advocating for its use while others propose alternative methods. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which different methods may be applied, particularly concerning the values of the coefficients a, b, c, and d.

roymkim
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Hi guys,

I was working on this problem regarding separable equations and could not solve it..

dy/dx = ay+b/cy+d

My work:
I reorganized the equation to become dy(cy+d/ay+b) = dx
integrating both sides, you get the integral of (cy+d/ay+b) and dx which is a constant k.
I'm pretty sure that the cy+d/ay+b integration requires long division...but I forgot how to do long division.

I would really appreciate help with this problem~
 
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I assume you mean
dy/dx = (ay+b)/(cy+d)
You do not need long division just write

ay+b=[a(cy+d)+(bc-ad)]/c for c!=0

(ay+b)/(cy+d)=(ay+b)/d for c=0
 
The answer to the problem comes out to be

x= (c/a)y + [(ad-bc)/(a^2)]*ln|ay+b|+k; a≠0, ay+b≠0

Can you explain more about how you reorganized the equation to become
ay+b=[a(cy+d)+(bc-ad)]/c for c!=0

(ay+b)/(cy+d)=(ay+b)/d for c=0

what do you mean by c! and what do you mean by c?
 
c!= 0 is "computer talk" for "c not equal to 0".
As to what lurflurf "means by c", I presume the same thing you did- the coefficient of y in the denominator!

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \frac{ay+ b}{cy+ d}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{cy+ d}{ay+ b}dy= dx[/tex]

Personally, I think I would use "long division" here:
[tex]\frac{cy+ d}{ay+ b}= \frac{c}{a}+ \frac{ad- bc}{a}\frac{1}{ay+ b}[/tex]

And that should be easy to integrate.
(let u= ay+ b)
 
yes c is the c you used in dy/dx = (ay+b)/(cy+d). c!=0 means c is not zero, that allows us to divide by it. All the ways to divide do the same things, maybe review them to see this. There are synthetic division, long division, division by inspection, and rearranging the equation like I did.
 

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