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Separation of Variables Notes (blank version)

The document discusses the method of separation of variables for solving simple differential equations, providing examples and homework assignments. It explains that a function is a solution if it satisfies the differential equation, and introduces the concept of general solutions with arbitrary constants. The document also includes examples and exercises for determining both general and particular solutions to various differential equations.

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4 views

Separation of Variables Notes (blank version)

The document discusses the method of separation of variables for solving simple differential equations, providing examples and homework assignments. It explains that a function is a solution if it satisfies the differential equation, and introduces the concept of general solutions with arbitrary constants. The document also includes examples and exercises for determining both general and particular solutions to various differential equations.

Uploaded by

moe.5k519
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Separation of Variables

-Use separation of variables to solve simple differential equations Homework: page 421 #’s 1-9 odd ,
15, 17, 23, 25

Every day, physical phenomena can be represented and described by differential equations. Examples include
population growth, sales predictions, radioactive decay, and Newton’s Law of Cooling.

A function is a solution of a differential equation if the differential equation is satisfied by substituting the
solution into the equation. For example, y = e-2x is a solution to the differential equation y’ + 2y = 0.

y = Ce-2x is called a general solution to the differential equation because it has an arbitrary constant yet still
solves the differential equation. Solutions to differential equations may not be unique.

Differential equations may be solved by using a process called separation of variables. To solve, separate the
variables to opposite sides of the equal sign and integrate.

Separable Differential Equations: These are equations of the form:

dy f  x 
 OR g  y  dy  f  x  dx
dx g  y 

The general solution to such an equation is:

 g  y  dy   f  x  dx  C
Example) Example)
2𝑥 dy x
Solve the differential equation 𝑦 ′ = Solve the differential equation  , if y  3 when x  2 .
𝑦 dx y
Example) Example)

dy dy
Solve the differential equation ( x 2  4)  xy Solve  y 1  2 x  , if y  5 when x  0 .
dx dx

Example)
Find the equation of the curve that passes through the point (1, 3) and has a slope of y/x 2 at any point (x, y).
Things to look for:

𝑑𝑦
= 𝑒 𝑥−𝑦
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
=𝑦−1
𝑑𝑥
Try: Determine the general solution for each differential equation.

𝑑𝑦 2𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= = 2𝑦𝑥 + 𝑦𝑥 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑒 2𝑦 𝑑𝑥

Try: Determine the particular solution for each differential equation.

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
= 2𝑒 𝑥−𝑦 𝑦(1) = ln(2𝑒 + 1) = 12𝑥 3 𝑦 𝑦(0) = 2
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

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