Chapter 2: Problem 57
Express the solution of the initial-value problem $$ \frac{d y}{d x}-2 x y=1, \quad y(1)=1 $$ in terms of \(\operatorname{erf}(x)\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( y = \left(\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(x) + e^{-1} - \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}e^{-1}\operatorname{erf}(1)\right)e^{x^2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Differential Equation
The given differential equation \( \frac{d y}{d x} - 2xy = 1 \) is a first-order linear differential equation. It can be expressed in the standard form \( \frac{d y}{d x} + P(x)y = Q(x) \) with \( P(x) = -2x \) and \( Q(x) = 1 \).
02
Calculate the Integrating Factor
The integrating factor \( \mu(x) \) is given by \( e^{\int P(x) \, dx} = e^{-\int 2x \, dx} = e^{-x^2} \). This integrating factor will be used to solve the differential equation.
03
Multiply Through by the Integrating Factor
Multiply the entire differential equation by the integrating factor: \( e^{-x^2} \frac{dy}{dx} - 2xe^{-x^2}y = e^{-x^2} \). This simplifies to \( \frac{d}{dx}(ye^{-x^2}) = e^{-x^2} \).
04
Integrate Both Sides
Integrate both sides of \( \frac{d}{dx}(ye^{-x^2}) = e^{-x^2} \) with respect to \( x \). The left side becomes \( ye^{-x^2} \) and the right side involves the error function: \( \int e^{-x^2} \, dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(x) + C \).
05
Solve for y(x)
Combine results into the equation \( ye^{-x^2} = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(x) + C \). Solving for \( y \) gives: \( y = \left(\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(x) + C\right)e^{x^2} \).
06
Apply the Initial Condition
Use the initial condition \( y(1) = 1 \) to determine \( C \): \( 1 = \left(\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(1) + C\right)e^{1^2} \). Simplifying: \( C = e^{-1} - \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}e^{-1}\operatorname{erf}(1) \).
07
Final Solution
Substitute \( C \) back into the expression for \( y \): \( y = \left(\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}\operatorname{erf}(x) + e^{-1} - \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}e^{-1}\operatorname{erf}(1)\right)e^{x^2} \). This is the solution of the differential equation expressed with \( \operatorname{erf}(x) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Initial-Value Problem
An initial-value problem involves finding a function that satisfies a differential equation and fulfills specific conditions at a starting point.
In our exercise, the equation given is:
In our exercise, the equation given is:
- \( \frac{d y}{d x} - 2 x y = 1 \)
- Along with the condition \( y(1) = 1 \)
Integrating Factor
The integrating factor is a handy tool when solving first-order linear differential equations. This factor transforms the differential equation into something we can easily solve.
Here's how it works:
Here's how it works:
- The differential equation is first put in the standard form: \( \frac{d y}{d x} + P(x)y = Q(x) \)
- The integrating factor \( \mu(x) \) is calculated as \( e^{\int P(x) \, dx} \)
- \( \mu(x) = e^{-x^2} \)
Error Function
The error function, often written as \( \operatorname{erf}(x) \), is a special function that arises in probability, statistics, and differential equations, especially relating to normal distribution and diffusion processes.
It is defined as:
It is defined as:
- \( \operatorname{erf}(x) = \frac{2}{\sqrt{\pi}} \int_0^x e^{-t^2} \, dt \)
First-Order Linear Differential Equation
A first-order linear differential equation is one that involves the first derivative of a function and has the general form \( \frac{d y}{d x} + P(x)y = Q(x) \).
This class of equations is important because they can describe a wide range of physical phenomena, from population dynamics to circuit analysis.
Key features include:
This class of equations is important because they can describe a wide range of physical phenomena, from population dynamics to circuit analysis.
Key features include:
- Involves first derivatives only (hence 'first-order')
- Linear in terms of the unknown function and its derivative
- \( P(x) = -2x \)
- \( Q(x) = 1 \)