Chapter 11: Problem 2
Determine whether each function is a solution to the differential equation and justify your answer: $$x \frac{d y}{d x}=4 y.$$ (a) \(y=x^{4}\) (b) \(y=x^{4}+3\) (c) \(y=x^{3}\) (d) \(y=7 x^{4}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Solutions: (a) and (d).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Differential Equation
The given differential equation, \(x \frac{d y}{d x} = 4y\), involves both variables \(x\) and \(y\). A solution \(y\) of this equation must satisfy this relationship when its derivative is substituted into the equation.
02
Test Function (a): \(y = x^4\)
First, find the derivative: \( \frac{d y}{d x} = 4x^3 \). Substitute into the differential equation: \(x(4x^3) = 4x^4\). Since \(4x^4 = 4y\), \(y = x^4\) satisfies the equation, confirming it is a solution.
03
Test Function (b): \(y = x^4 + 3\)
Calculate the derivative: \( \frac{d y}{d x} = 4x^3 \). Substitute: \(x(4x^3) = 4x^4\). The right side: \(4(y) = 4(x^4 + 3) = 4x^4 + 12\). Since \(4x^4 eq 4x^4 + 12\), \(y = x^4 + 3\) is not a solution.
04
Test Function (c): \(y = x^3\)
Find the derivative: \( \frac{d y}{d x} = 3x^2 \). Substitute: \(x(3x^2) = 3x^3\). The right side: \(4(y) = 4x^3\). Since \(3x^3 eq 4x^3\), \(y = x^3\) fails to satisfy the equation and is not a solution.
05
Test Function (d): \(y = 7x^4\)
Calculate the derivative: \( \frac{d y}{d x} = 28x^3 \). Substitute: \(x(28x^3) = 28x^4\). The right side: \(4(y) = 4(7x^4) = 28x^4\). Since both sides of the equation match, \(y = 7x^4\) is a solution of the differential equation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative Calculation
The process of derivative calculation is crucial in solving differential equations. A derivative represents how a function changes as its input changes.
It is often noted as \( \frac{d y}{d x} \), meaning the rate of change of \( y \) with respect to \( x \).
Here's how to calculate derivatives for our functions:
It is often noted as \( \frac{d y}{d x} \), meaning the rate of change of \( y \) with respect to \( x \).
Here's how to calculate derivatives for our functions:
- Function (a) \( y = x^4 \): The derivative \( \frac{d y}{d x} \) is \( 4x^3 \). This tells us how steep the curve is at any point \( x \).
- Function (b) \( y = x^4 + 3 \): Here, the derivative is still \( 4x^3 \). Note that adding a constant does not change the rate of change.
- Function (c): \( y = x^3 \): The derivative is \( 3x^2 \), indicating a different rate of change compared to \( y = x^4 \).
- Function (d): \( y = 7x^4 \): The derivative is \( 28x^3 \), which scales the original rate of change by a factor of 7.
Verifying Solutions
In the context of differential equations, verifying a solution means checking if a function satisfies the equation. This involves comparing both sides of the differential equation after substituting the derivative of the function.When testing functions against the differential equation \( x \frac{d y}{d x} = 4y \):
- Function (a) \( y = x^4 \): Substituting the derivative \( 4x^3 \) gives \( 4x^4 \) on both sides, confirming it's a solution.
- Function (b) \( y = x^4 + 3 \): The right side becomes \( 4x^4 + 12 \), which does not match \( 4x^4 \), ruling out this function as a solution.
- Function (c) \( y = x^3 \): Produces \( 3x^3 \) on one side and \( 4x^3 \) on the other, misaligning the equation's requirements.
- Function (d) \( y = 7x^4 \): Both sides equal \( 28x^4 \), verifying it as a solution.
Substitution Method
The substitution method involves substituting a proposed function and its derivative into a differential equation to determine if it satisfies the equation. This method is straightforward but requires careful derivative calculation.Here's a walkthrough using this method:
- Substitute Derivatives: Begin by calculating the derivative of the function you are testing. For instance, if testing \( y = 7x^4 \), compute its derivative \( 28x^3 \).
- Replace in Differential Equation: Substitute both the derivative and the function into the given equation, \( x \frac{d y}{d x} = 4y \). You get \( x(28x^3) = 4(7x^4) \).
- Compare Results: Simplify and compare both sides of the equation. If both are identical, the function is a valid solution. For \( y = 7x^4 \), both sides equate to \( 28x^4 \).