Chapter 4: Problem 52
Show that (a) \(y=x e^{-x}\) satisfies the equation \(x y^{\prime}=(1-x) y\) (b) \(y=x e^{-x^{2} / 2}\) satisfies the equation \(x y^{\prime}=\left(1-x^{2}\right) y\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Both functions satisfy their respective equations by substituting the derived \( y' \) and verifying equality.
Step by step solution
01
Differentiate y for (a)
The function given is \( y = x e^{-x} \). To find \( y' \), we apply the product rule: \( (uv)' = u'v + uv' \). Let \( u = x \) and \( v = e^{-x} \). Thus, \( u' = 1 \) and \( v' = -e^{-x} \). The derivative is:\[y' = (x)' e^{-x} + x (e^{-x})' = e^{-x} + x(-e^{-x}) = e^{-x} - xe^{-x}.\]
02
Substitute y and y' in (a)
Substitute \( y = x e^{-x} \) and \( y' = e^{-x} - xe^{-x} \) into the equation \( xy' = (1-x)y \):\[xy' = x(e^{-x} - xe^{-x}) = xe^{-x} - x^2 e^{-x}\]\[(1-x)y = (1-x)(x e^{-x}) = x e^{-x} - x^2 e^{-x}\]These are identical, so the given \( y \) satisfies the equation.
03
Differentiate y for (b)
The function is \( y = x e^{-x^2/2} \). Use the product rule again:Let \( u = x \) and \( v = e^{-x^2/2} \). Then \( u' = 1 \) and \( v' = -x e^{-x^2/2} \).\[y' = (x)' e^{-x^2/2} + x(-x e^{-x^2/2}) = e^{-x^2/2} - x^2 e^{-x^2/2}.\]
04
Substitute y and y' in (b)
Substitute \( y = x e^{-x^2/2} \) and \( y' = e^{-x^2/2} - x^2 e^{-x^2/2} \) into the equation \( xy' = (1-x^2)y \):\[xy' = x(e^{-x^2/2} - x^2 e^{-x^2/2}) = xe^{-x^2/2} - x^3 e^{-x^2/2}\]\[(1-x^2)y = (1-x^2)(x e^{-x^2/2}) = x e^{-x^2/2} - x^3 e^{-x^2/2}\]Again, the expressions match, verifying the solution.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Product Rule in Calculus
The product rule is a fundamental tool in calculus, mainly used to differentiate functions that are products of two or more simpler functions. If you have a function defined as the product of two functions, say, \( u(x) \) and \( v(x) \), then the product rule gives us a way to find the derivative without having to expand the product first. The rule is simple and elegant:
- If \( y = u(x) \, v(x) \), then the derivative \( y' = u'(x) \, v(x) + u(x) \, v'(x) \).
- This means you differentiate \( u(x) \) and \( v(x) \) separately and combine the results as shown.
- Let \( u = x \), so \( u' = 1 \).
- Let \( v = e^{-x} \), so \( v' = -e^{-x} \).
- \( y' = 1 \, e^{-x} + x(-e^{-x}) = e^{-x} - x \, e^{-x} \).
Verification of Solutions in Differential Equations
When dealing with differential equations, verifying a solution means showing that a purported solution actually satisfies the original differential equation. This is typically done by substituting the given solution into the equation.For example, to verify that \( y = x \, e^{-x} \) is a solution to \( x y' = (1-x)y \), follow these steps:
- First, we find the derivative \( y' \), using the product rule. Here, it was calculated as \( e^{-x} - x \, e^{-x} \).
- Then substitute both \( y \) and \( y' \) back into the differential equation.
- The equation becomes \( x(e^{-x} - x \, e^{-x}) = (1-x)(x \, e^{-x}) \).
- Simplifying both sides, they equate to \( x \, e^{-x} - x^2 \, e^{-x} \).
- Both sides match, hence the solution is verified.
Understanding Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are a type of mathematical function that involve the constant \( e \), where \( e \approx 2.71828 \). These functions are characterized by a variable exponent and are widely used in various scientific fields.Key features of exponential functions:
- The function \( e^x \) grows rapidly as \( x \) increases, and approaches zero as \( x \) decreases.
- This property makes them useful in modeling growth and decay processes, such as population growth or radioactive decay.
- In calculus, exponential functions have unique properties:
- The derivative of \( e^x \) is itself \( e^x \), providing simplicity in differentiation tasks.
- For a decay function like \( e^{-x} \), its derivative is \(-e^{-x} \), indicating a decrease in value with increasing \( x \).