Solve the differential equation `(dy)/(dx) + xy = xy^2` for `y` in terms of `x` given `y=3` when `x=0`

Expert Answers

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

We have the differential equation `(dy)/(dx) +xy = xy^2`

and that `y=3` when `x=0`

Rearranging the differential equation we get

`(dy)/(dx) = x(y^2-y)`

`implies`  `(1/(y^2-y))(dy)/(dx) =x`   (terms on the left are terms in `y` and `(dy)/(dx)`, terms on the right are terms in `x`)

 

Now, integrate both sides with respect to `x` giving

`int (1/(y(y-1))) (dy)/(dx) dx = int x dx`

`implies` `int(1/(y(y-1))) dy = x^2/2 + c`    (where `c` is a constant)

`implies int -1/y dy + int1/(y-1) dy = x^2/2 + c`

`implies`  `-ln(y) + ln(y-1) = x^2/2 + k`  (where `k`is a constant)

`implies`  `ln((y-1)/y) = x^2/2+k`

`implies`  `(y-1)/y = e^(x^2/2)e^k`

Now, we have that `y=3`  when `x=0`

Substituting these values in we get

`2/3 = e^0e^k = e^k` 

Therefore   `(y-1)/y = 2/3e^(x^2/2)`

`implies`  `y = (2/3e^(x^2/2))y +1`

`implies`  `y(1-2/3e^(x^2/2)) = 1`

`implies`  `y = 1/(1-2/3e^(x^2/2))`       solution

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