Chapter 3: Problem 18
Show that \(y=x^{3}\) is a solution of \(y y^{\prime \prime}=6 x^{4}\), but that if \(c^{2} \neq 1\), then \(y=c x^{3}\) is not a solution.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Yes, \( y = x^3 \) is a solution, but \( y = cx^3 \) is not if \( c^2 \neq 1 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Given Functions and Equations
We need to show that the function \( y = x^3 \) satisfies the equation \( y y'' = 6x^4 \), and if \( y = cx^3 \) for some constant \( c^2 eq 1 \), it does not satisfy this equation.
02
Differentiate the Function y = x^3
Since \( y = x^3 \), find the second derivative. The first derivative \( y' = \frac{d}{dx}(x^3) = 3x^2 \). The second derivative \( y'' = \frac{d^2}{dx^2}(x^3) = 6x \).
03
Verify Solution for y = x^3
Substitute \( y = x^3 \) and \( y'' = 6x \) into the equation \( y y'' = 6x^4 \). We have \( x^3 \cdot 6x = 6x^4 \). Simplifying gives \( 6x^4 = 6x^4 \), confirming \( y = x^3 \) is a solution.
04
Trial Function y = cx^3
Assume \( y = cx^3 \) and find its second derivative. First derivative \( y' = 3cx^2 \), and second derivative \( y'' = 6cx \).
05
Check Condition for y = cx^3
Substitute \( y = cx^3 \) and \( y'' = 6cx \) into the equation \( y y'' = 6x^4 \). We get \( cx^3 \cdot 6cx = 6c^2x^4 \).
06
Analyze the Result and Consider Parameter Conditions
Equation becomes \( 6c^2x^4 = 6x^4 \). For equality, \( c^2 \) must equal 1. If \( c^2 eq 1 \), then \( 6c^2x^4 eq 6x^4 \). Hence \( y = cx^3 \) is not a solution if \( c^2 eq 1 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Second Derivative
Differentiation helps us understand how a function changes at any given point. In the context of differential equations, the second derivative is particularly important because it tells us about the curvature of the function.
For a given function like \( y = x^3 \), the process of finding derivatives follows clear rules:
For a given function like \( y = x^3 \), the process of finding derivatives follows clear rules:
- First derivative \( y' = \frac{d}{dx}(x^3) = 3x^2 \) captures the rate of change or slope of the function.
- Second derivative \( y'' = \frac{d^2}{dx^2}(x^3) = 6x \) provides information about the rate at which this slope changes, essentially how much the curve bends.
Trial Function
A trial function is a proposed solution to a differential equation. It acts as a guess that we verify through substitution into the differential equation.
For instance, suppose we propose \( y = cx^3 \) as a potential solution to the equation \( y y'' = 6x^4 \). Here, \( c \) is a constant whose value we must determine.
For instance, suppose we propose \( y = cx^3 \) as a potential solution to the equation \( y y'' = 6x^4 \). Here, \( c \) is a constant whose value we must determine.
- The trial function \( y = cx^3 \) gives the first derivative \( y' = 3cx^2 \) and the second derivative \( y'' = 6cx \).
- Substituting these into the differential equation helps us check if the proposal holds for all values of \( x \).
Verifying Solutions
Once a function is proposed as a solution to a differential equation, verifying its correctness is key. This involves plugging the function and its derivatives back into the equation.
For example:
For example:
- Initially, check \( y = x^3 \) and its second derivative \( y'' = 6x \). Substituting these into \( y y'' = 6x^4 \) results in the true statement \( 6x^4 = 6x^4 \), confirming it as a solution.
- For \( y = cx^3 \), after substitution, the equation modifies to \( 6c^2x^4 = 6x^4 \). Here, \( c^2 \) must be 1 to hold this equality. Any other value of \( c \) disproves it as a solution.