Unseparable Differential Equations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around first-order linear differential equations, specifically focusing on the nature of the equation and the challenges in solving it. The original poster presents a differential equation of the form xy' + y = y^2 and questions the possibility of having a Q(x) that includes both x and y variables.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the classification of the differential equation and discuss methods for solving it, including separation of variables and integration techniques. There are questions about isolating y and the implications of initial conditions on the solution.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem. Some participants have offered guidance on the integration process and the handling of initial conditions, while others express confusion about isolating y and the correctness of their approaches.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing debate about the nature of the differential equation, with some participants initially misclassifying it as separable. The presence of initial conditions and the need to isolate y are also points of contention, contributing to the complexity of the discussion.

tascja
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I have a question about differential equations... The equation for a general differential equation that is not separable is:
dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x)

So my question is can you have a Q(x) that has both x and y variables?

Example:

Homework Statement


xy' +y = y^2

The Attempt at a Solution


dy/dx + (1/x)y = (1/x)y^2

The integrating factor V(x) = e ^[int. P(x)]
= e ^[int. 1/x dx]
= x

Therefore y = [1/V(x)][int. Q(x)V(x)dx + C]
= [1/x] [int. ? + C]
 
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tascja said:
I have a question about differential equations... The equation for a general LINEAR first order [/color] differential equation (separable or not)[/color] is:
dy/dx + P(x)y = Q(x)

So my question is can you have a Q(x) that has both x and y variables?

Example:

Homework Statement


xy' +y = y^2
This is separable! (and non-linear, by the way) Proceed as you normally would in that case.
 
Last edited:


Yes, sorry as i was looking over i finally remembered its called a first order linear differential equation.. sorry :$... but i tried to solve by separating but don't seem to get the right answer.. here's what i got for a solution (with the initial condition being y(1)=-1)

-1/y - ln|y| = ln|x| + 1

but how would i isolate y??
 


tascja said:
Yes, sorry as i was looking over i finally remembered its called a first order linear differential equation.. sorry :$... but i tried to solve by separating but don't seem to get the right answer.. here's what i got for a solution (with the initial condition being y(1)=-1)

-1/y - ln|y| = ln|x| + 1

but how would i isolate y??
How did you get that?

We have [tex]\frac{1}{y(y-1)} y' = \frac{1}{x}[/tex]

and the antiderivative of

[tex]\frac{1}{y(y-1)} = \frac{1}{y-1} - \frac{1}{y}[/tex]

is ?
 
even still.. i don't see how you can isolate for y without y in the answer??
 
tascja said:
even still.. i don't see how you can isolate for y without y in the answer??

Why would you need to isolate y? If you were given y(1)=-1, that means that when x=1,y=-1. No need to isolate y.
 
tascja said:
even still.. i don't see how you can isolate for y without y in the answer??
You didn't answer my question. Without seeing your response I can't know why you can't isolate y.
 


oh sorry...
so since you said
Unco said:
How did you get that?

We have [tex]\frac{1}{y(y-1)} y' = \frac{1}{x}[/tex]

and the antiderivative of

[tex]\frac{1}{y(y-1)} = \frac{1}{y-1} - \frac{1}{y}[/tex]

is ?
therefore having taking the antiderivative of both sides,
the next line would be:
1/y-1 - 1/y = ln|x| + C
then subbing in y=-1 and x=1 to solve for C:
1/1 +1/1 = ln|1| + C
C = 2
so
1/y-1 - 1/y = ln|x| + 2 (sorry i think i might have put 1 before as C)
so now i need to enter an answer that is y=
and i don't know how to isolate for y??
 


tascja said:
oh sorry...
so since you said

therefore having taking the antiderivative of both sides,
the next line would be:
1/y-1 - 1/y = ln|x| + C
then subbing in y=-1 and x=1 to solve for C:
1/1 +1/1 = ln|1| + C
C = 2
so
1/y-1 - 1/y = ln|x| + 2 (sorry i think i might have put 1 before as C)
so now i need to enter an answer that is y=
and i don't know how to isolate for y??
You still didn't answer my question, tascja!

The antiderivative of 1/(y-1) - 1/y is ln(y-1) - ln(y) = ln((y-1)/y) ...
 
  • #10
omg i thought you were implying that 1/(y-1) - 1/y was the antiderivative of 1/y(y-1) that's why i was confused, sorry.. again... okay so
ln((y-1)/y)) = ln|x| +c
(y-1)/y = e^[ln|x| +c]
1- 1/y = e^[ln|x|]e^C *e^C is just arbitrary number
y = 1/(1-Cx) * where with the initial conditions C=2
y = 1/(1-2x)

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP! :D
 
  • #11
tascja said:
omg i thought you were implying that 1/(y-1) - 1/y was the antiderivative of 1/y(y-1) that's why i was confused, sorry.. again... okay so
ln((y-1)/y)) = ln|x| +c
(y-1)/y = e^[ln|x| +c]
1- 1/y = e^[ln|x|]e^C *e^C is just arbitrary number
y = 1/(1-Cx) * where with the initial conditions C=2
y = 1/(1-2x)
If what I wrote was unclear it is I who should be apologising! Well done!
 

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