`dy/dx = 1/ sqrt(80+8x-16x^2)` Solve the differential equation

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

For the given differential equation: `(dy)/(dx) = 1/sqrt(80+8x-16x^2),` we may write it in a form of `N(y) dy = M(x) dx` .

 Cross-multiply the `(dx)` to the other side:

`(dy) = 1/sqrt(80+8x-16x^2) dx`

To solve for the general solution of the differential equation, we may apply direct integration on both sides.

`int (dy) = int 1/sqrt(80+8x-16x^2) dx`

 For the left side, it follow basic integral formula:

`int dy = y`

To evaluate the right side, we may apply completing the square on the trinomial: `80+8x-16x^2 = -(4x-1)^2+81`  or `81-(4x-1)^2`

Then, the integral on the right side becomes:

`int 1/sqrt(80+8x-16x^2) dx=int 1/sqrt(81-(4x-1)^2) dx`

The integral resembles the basic integration formula for inverse sine function:

`int 1/sqrt(a^2-u^2)du=arcsin(u/a)+C`

 We let `u = 4x-1` then `du = 4 dx` or `(du)/4= dx` .

Note that `81 = 9^2`

Then,

`int 1/sqrt(81-(4x-1)^2) dx =int 1/sqrt(9^2-u^2) *(du)/4`

                                   `=(1/4)int1/sqrt(9^2-u^2)du`

                                   `=(1/4)arcsin(u/9)+C`

Plug-in `u=4x-1` in `(1/4)arcsin(u/9` ), we get:

`int 1/sqrt(81-(4x-1)^2) dx= (1/4)arcsin((4x-1)/9) +C`

Combining the results from both sides, we get the general solution of differential equation:

`y =1/4arcsin((4x-1)/9) +C`

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial Team