Trouble with a separable differential equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the separable differential equation dy/dx = 1 - y^2. Participants explore the integration process, the manipulation of the resulting expressions, and the implications of different cases for the variable y. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integration steps leading to the expression |(1+y)/(1-y)| = e^(2x + C) and questions how to solve for y, considering potential cases for the expression.
  • Another participant suggests that the cases y < -1, -1 < y < 1, and y > 1 need to be handled separately to determine the correct form of y.
  • Several participants derive expressions for y based on the cases, with one arriving at y = (Ae^(2x) - 1)/(Ae^(2x) + 1) for -1 < y < 1.
  • There is confusion regarding how to obtain the values y = ±1, with participants expressing uncertainty about the derivation of these solutions from the original equation.
  • One participant notes that dy/dx = 0 when y = ±1, indicating these points may be critical in the context of the differential equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the handling of cases for y and the derivation of specific solutions. There is no consensus on how to resolve the confusion regarding the values y = ±1.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working through the implications of absolute values in the context of the differential equation, which introduces complexity in determining the correct cases for y. The discussion reflects the challenges of integrating and solving differential equations with piecewise conditions.

eric_999
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I have this equation: dy/dx = 1-y^2, so then dy/(1-y^2) = dx, so ∫dy/(1-y^2) = dx --->
∫(A/(1+y) + B/(1-y))dy = x + C. I rewrite it again: (A - Ay + B + By)/(1+y)(1-y) = 1/(1+y)(1-y) so I get A+B = 1, and B-A = 0, so B = A, and therefore 2A = 1. so A & B = 1/2.

So 1/2∫(dy/(1+y) + 1/2∫dy/(1-y) = x + C ---> 1/2(ln|1+y| -ln|1-y|) = x + C ---> ln(|1+y|/|1-y|) = 2x + 2c = 2x + C, since C is arbitrary. At last I get |1+y|/|1-y| = e^(2x + c) ?=? |(1+y)/(1-y)| = e^(2x + C). How do I solve for y? Do Ihave to split it up into two separate cases, one when (1+y)/1-y) = e^(2x +C) and one where -(1+y)/(1-y) = e^(2x + C), or is this whole method simply just wrong?


Please help me out!
 
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eric_999 said:
I have this equation: dy/dx = 1-y^2, so then dy/(1-y^2) = dx, so ∫dy/(1-y^2) = dx --->
∫(A/(1+y) + B/(1-y))dy = x + C. I rewrite it again: (A - Ay + B + By)/(1+y)(1-y) = 1/(1+y)(1-y) so I get A+B = 1, and B-A = 0, so B = A, and therefore 2A = 1. so A & B = 1/2.

So 1/2∫(dy/(1+y) + 1/2∫dy/(1-y) = x + C ---> 1/2(ln|1+y| -ln|1-y|) = x + C ---> ln(|1+y|/|1-y|) = 2x + 2c = 2x + C, since C is arbitrary. At last I get |1+y|/|1-y| = e^(2x + c) ?=? |(1+y)/(1-y)| = e^(2x + C). How do I solve for y? Do Ihave to split it up into two separate cases, one when (1+y)/1-y) = e^(2x +C) and one where -(1+y)/(1-y) = e^(2x + C), or is this whole method simply just wrong?Please help me out!

You have [tex] \left|\frac{1 + y}{1 - y}\right| = Ae^{2x}.[/tex] You will need to deal with the cases [itex]y < -1[/itex], [itex]-1 < y < 1[/itex] and [itex]y > 1[/itex] separately.
 
Hmm, so if I have |(1+y)/(1-y)|, and I consider case 1, where -1<y<1 I get that |1+y| > 0 and |1-y|> 0, so the whole expression is positive, so then A must be > 0. So then I guess I have (1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so y + yAe^2x = Ae^2x - 1, so y(1 +Ae^2x) = Ae^2x -1 so y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1).

When y<-1, (1+y) < 0, so I can write it like|1+y| = -(1+y). (1-y) on the other hand is positive, so |1-y| = (1-y), so then i have -(1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so 1+y = -(Ae^2x - yAe^2x) ---> y = yAe^2x -Ae^2x -1, so y(1-Ae^2x) = -Ae^2x -1 ---> y = -(Ae^2x +1)/-(Ae^2x -1) = (Ae^2x +1)/Ae^2x -1). I dunno, in the book, they say I am going to get y = +1, y = -1, and y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1). I can't see how they get y = +-1!
 
Hmm, so if I have |(1+y)/(1-y)|, and I consider case 1, where -1<y<1 I get that |1+y| > 0 and |1-y|> 0, so the whole expression is positive, so then A must be > 0. So then I guess I have (1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so y + yAe^2x = Ae^2x - 1, so y(1 +Ae^2x) = Ae^2x -1 so y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1).

When y<-1, (1+y) < 0, so I can write it like|1+y| = -(1+y). (1-y) on the other hand is positive, so |1-y| = (1-y), so then i have -(1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so 1+y = -(Ae^2x - yAe^2x) ---> y = yAe^2x -Ae^2x -1, so y(1-Ae^2x) = -Ae^2x -1 ---> y = -(Ae^2x +1)/-(Ae^2x -1) = (Ae^2x +1)/Ae^2x -1). I dunno, in the book, they say I am going to get y = +1, y = -1, and y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1). I can't see how they get y = +-1!
 
eric_999 said:
Hmm, so if I have |(1+y)/(1-y)|, and I consider case 1, where -1<y<1 I get that |1+y| > 0 and |1-y|> 0, so the whole expression is positive, so then A must be > 0. So then I guess I have (1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so y + yAe^2x = Ae^2x - 1, so y(1 +Ae^2x) = Ae^2x -1 so y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1).

When y<-1, (1+y) < 0, so I can write it like|1+y| = -(1+y). (1-y) on the other hand is positive, so |1-y| = (1-y), so then i have -(1+y) = (1-y)Ae^2x, so 1+y = -(Ae^2x - yAe^2x) ---> y = yAe^2x -Ae^2x -1, so y(1-Ae^2x) = -Ae^2x -1 ---> y = -(Ae^2x +1)/-(Ae^2x -1) = (Ae^2x +1)/Ae^2x -1). I dunno, in the book, they say I am going to get y = +1, y = -1, and y = (Ae^2x -1)/(Ae^2x + 1). I can't see how they get y = +-1!

[itex]dy/dx = 0[/itex] when [itex]y = \pm 1[/itex].
 

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