What happens if you divide by a differential?

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of dividing a first order separable differential equation by a differential and its implications. It also touches on whether this would result in a PDE and the potential methods for solving such an equation.
  • #1
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I've always wondered what happens when you divide a first order seperable DE by a differential? Does it then become a PDE? Is it still possible to solve it? If so how would one solve such a DE?

For example this:

Starting with this equation for pressure:
##P=ρgh## ; ## h = -y##
##P= -ρgy##
taking the derivative of this as ##Δy→0## we get

##\frac {dP} {dy} = -ρg##

and to solve this we'd normally go

##dP = -ρg dy##

What I'm wondering is what would happen if we were to now divide each side by a differential like let's say dt to get:

## \frac {dP} {dt} = -ρg \frac {dy} {dt} ##how would we end up solving this since we now essentially have two different "derivatives" on each side? would we just simply continue integrating each side through normally to obtain the functions P(t) and y(t) or would this instead be considered a PDE? in the form

## \frac {\partial P} {\partial t} = -ρg \frac {\partial y} {\partial t} ##
 
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  • #2
If y is given as a function of t, this helps you to find P(t). But that ends up in the same relationship as P(y).

Grossly, dividing by a differential means dividing by a difference and then taking the limit ##\Delta \downarrow 0##.
 

1. What is a differential?

A differential is a mathematical concept that represents an infinitesimal change in a variable. It is often denoted by the symbol "dx".

2. Can you divide by a differential?

No, it is not possible to divide by a differential as it represents an infinitely small quantity and cannot be treated as a regular number.

3. What happens if you divide by a differential?

Dividing by a differential is not a valid mathematical operation. It can lead to undefined results or errors in the calculation.

4. Is there a way to divide by a differential?

No, there is no way to divide by a differential. However, certain mathematical techniques, such as integration, involve dividing by differentials in the process, but this is not the same as directly dividing by a differential.

5. Why is it not possible to divide by a differential?

Dividing by a differential is not possible because it represents an infinitely small quantity and cannot be treated as a regular number. This would violate mathematical principles and lead to incorrect results.

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