Solving x'=sinx: Where do the x0's Come From?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter evolution685
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the differential equation x' = sin(x) and understanding the origin of the initial condition x0 in the solution provided. Participants explore the integration process and the implications of constants of integration in the context of this problem.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the solution to the differential equation and the appearance of x0 in the given answer.
  • Another participant points out the importance of the constant of integration in the integration process, suggesting that x0 can be viewed as a specific constant similar to C.
  • A later reply acknowledges the clarification provided by the second participant.
  • One participant attempts to derive a specific solution for x0 = π/4 and shares their progress, indicating difficulty in isolating x and understanding the emergence of the arctan function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to consider constants of integration, but the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific steps to isolate x in the context of the proposed solution for x0 = π/4.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps necessary to isolate x or clarify the transition to the arctan function, leaving these aspects open for further exploration.

evolution685
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
i'm having trouble with this.

i first need to solve x'=sinx. the answer is given as t=ln|(csc(x0)+cot(x0))/(csc(x)+cot(x))|]

i'm not sure where those x0's came in from.

here's what i did:

Int(1/sinx)dx=Int(1)dt
Int(csc(x))dx=Int(1)dt
Int((-1)[(-1)csc(x)(cot(x)+csc(x))]/(cot(x)+csc(x)))dx=Int(1)dt (this is the same as the line above but then let's you change Int(f'(x)/f(x)) to ln(f(x)))
-ln(cot(x)+csc(x))=t

so as you can see this answer isn't the same as the answer that was provided. what am i doing wrong and where do those x0's come in from?

any help is appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


What happened to your constant of integration?

If [itex]\int f(x)dx= \int g(x)dx[/itex] then the most you can say is that f(x)= g(x)+ C where C is some constant- and if you are calling your function "x" then "x0" is a good a name as "C".

Your last line should be -ln|cos(x)+ csc(x)|+ C= t. Of course, - ln|cos(x)+ csc(x)|= ln|1/(cos(x)+ csc(x))| and, of course, - ln|cos(x)+ csc(x)|+ C= ln|1/(cos(x)+ csc(x))|+ C= ln|D/(cos(x)+ csc(x)| where D= eC is just another constant. The numerator above, csc(x0)+cot(x0), is just a number like "D". I presume they have some reason for writing it that way but it is exactly the same thing.
 


ahhhhh. i see. thank you.
 


my next problem is that it says show that for x0=pi/4 you can solve x=2arctan((e^t)/(1+sqrt(2))

here's what i have so far, working from the previous equation:

t=ln|((csc(pi/4)+cot(pi/4))/(csc(x)+cot(x))|
t=ln|((2/sqrt(2)+1)/(csc(x)+cot(x))|
e^t=(2/sqrt(2)+1)/(csc(x)+cot(x))
csc(x)+cot(x)=(2/sqrt(2)+1)/e^t

then I'm stuck. i don't see how to isolate x and where an arctan would come from.

thank you in advance.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K