Chapter 2: Problem 21
From \(y^{\prime}-\frac{2}{x} y=\frac{3}{x^{2}} y^{4}\) and \(w=y^{-3}\) we obtain \(\frac{d w}{d x}+\frac{6}{x} w=-\frac{9}{x^{2}} .\) An integrating factor is \(x^{6}\) so that \(x^{6} w=-\frac{9}{5} x^{5}+c\) or \(y^{-3}=-\frac{9}{5} x^{-1}+c x^{-6} .\) If \(y(1)=\frac{1}{2}\) then \(c=\frac{49}{5}\) and \(y^{-3}=-\frac{9}{5} x^{-1}+\frac{49}{5} x^{-6}.\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Given Differential Equation
Substitute and Transform the Equation
Identify and Apply the Integrating Factor
Integrate Both Sides
Solve for \( w \) in Terms of \( x \)
Apply the Initial Condition to Find \( C \)
State the Final Solution
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The original problem contains a complex nonlinear term with a power of four, represented by the equation: \( y^{\prime}-\frac{2}{x} y=\frac{3}{x^{2}} y^{4} \).
With the substitution \( w = y^{-3} \), the equation becomes more manageable.
This transformation alters the equation
and allows us to work with a linear form: \( \frac{dw}{dx} + \frac{6}{x} w = -\frac{9}{x^{2}} \).
- Think of substitution as changing the lens through which you see the problem.
- It often simplifies solving or even makes an impossible-seeming equation solvable!
- In this case, the power of substitution lies in converting a nonlinear equation to a linear one.
Integrating Factor
and allows us to integrate both sides easily. In our case, the integrating factor is \( x^{6} \).
The equation \( \frac{dw}{dx} + \frac{6}{x} w = -\frac{9}{x^{2}} \) is multiplied by the integrating factor:
\[ (x^{6})\left(\frac{dw}{dx} \right) + (x^{6})\left(\frac{6}{x} w\right) = (x^{6})\left(-\frac{9}{x^{2}}\right). \]
This converts the left-hand side into the derivative of a product, \( \frac{d}{dx}(x^6 w) = -9x^4 \).
- The integrating factor effectively balances the equation.
- It essentially "unlocks" the differentials for smooth integration.
- Think of it as a key for exactness in differential equations.
Initial Condition
For our problem, the initial condition is given as \( y(1) = \frac{1}{2} \).
This tells us exactly what the solution must satisfy at this specific point. By substituting this into our problem, we derive \( y^{-3} = 2^3 = 8 \).
Next, plug into the solved equation, \( 8 = \frac{-9}{5}(1) + C(1)^6 \), to find the constant \( C \), resulting in \( C = \frac{49}{5} \).
Without this critical piece, our solution could represent any number of possibilities.
- Initial conditions pinpoint your solution out of many possible ones.
- They often represent real-world constraints or measurements.
- Never ignore initial conditions—they give your solution meaning, connecting it to reality!
Exact Equation
With an integrating factor \( x^{6} \), our equation \( \frac{dw}{dx} + \frac{6}{x} w = -\frac{9}{x^{2}} \) becomes exact.
This means the left-hand side is the derivative of a single expression: \( \frac{d}{dx}(x^6 w) \).
Integrating both sides is straightforward: \[ \int \frac{d}{dx}(x^6 w) \ dx = \int -9x^4 \ dx. \]
This results in \( x^6 w = -\frac{9}{5} x^5 + C \).
- Exact equations are simple once the proper integrating factor is applied.
- They provide a clear path from differentiation to integration.
- Always check for exactness to simplify solving processes!