You are on page 1of 8

Technical Instructions For

Solving a First-Order Differential Equation of the form


(a1x +b1y +c1)dx + (a2x+b2y+c2)dy =0
where a2/a1 ≠ b2/b1
Using Special Transformations

Submission Date:
September 30, 2004

by

Harsh Menon
Ext 5369

Performed for
Dr. Angela Beck,
Assistant Professor, HU/COM
In partial fulfillment
Of the requirements
of
COM221.3 Technical Report Writing
Fall 2004
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Prescott, Arizona

On my screen, the title page spilled over onto two pages. Please
check
Menon 1

INTRODUCTION

Purpose/Intended Audience

These instructions are targeted at students, engineers, and scientists who want to learn the
method of solving a first-order differential equation of the form (a1x +b1y +c1)dx +
(a2x+b2y+c2)dy =0, where a2/a1 ≠ b2/b1. At the end of these instructions, the reader will be
able to solve any differential equation of the aforementioned form.

Prior Knowledge

The reader should have prior knowledge in differential and integral calculus. Are there
any particular processes they must know? What about terms that you are going to
teach them (i.e., the second part of “prior knowledge”)? Are you going to define any
terms for this particular equation?? (completeness)

Materials and Equipment

The following materials are required to solve the differential equation:

• One (1) mathematics textbook with problems on differential equations of the


above form, can you recommend an author? (completeness)

• One (1) table of integrals, where do I get this?? (completeness)

• One (1) piece of paper (8.5 in. by 11 in.),

• One (1) pencil or pen.

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings

NOTE: ALGEBRAIC ERRORS OF ANY TYPE WILL LEAD TO AN


INCORRECT SOLUTION. DOUBLE-CHECKING YOUR ALGEBRAIC STEPS
IS RECOMMENDED.

NOTE: ERRONEOUS INTEGRATION WILL LEAD TO AN INCORRECT


SOLUTION.

Process Analysis

The first step is to determine whether the given first-order differential equation satisfies
the initial condition of a2/a1 ≠ b2/b1. The second step is to apply the special
transformations and redefine the original differential equation with new transformation
variables. The third step is to integrate the new differential equation for the new
Menon 2

transformation variables. The fourth step is to go back from the transformation variables
back to the initial variables. This yields the answer in terms of the original variables.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

1.0 Examine the given differential equation and compare it to the form (a1x +b1y +c1)dx +
(a2x+b2y+c2)dy =0. This is two separate steps. And what am I comparing for???
(clarity)

2.0 Find out the numerical values of a1, a2, b1, b2 as shown in Figure 1: Finding a1, a2,
b1, b2: Find?? How should I find?? You give a figure but do not explain how the
process works, which is the entire point! Pretend you are a math teacher and
explain to the reader/remind the reader what they are looking for!! (completeness)

(3x+2y-5) dx + (2x+3y-5) dy = 0 … (i)


Here, a1 =3, b1=2, a2=2, b2=3, so
a2/a1 = 2/3 but b2/b1 = 3/2
Therefore, a2/a1 ≠ b2/b1

Figure 1: Finding a1, a2, b1, b2.


(Source: Singh 2001.)

3.0 Divide throughout by dx and rearrange the equation so that dy/dx is on one side of
the equation and everything else is on the other side of the equation. Ok. This
seems like two steps…is it only one?? Should this read…Rearrange the equation
by dividing throughout by dx so that…?? Command first, then explain how the
command is carried out with a “by” phrase

4.0 Use the Special Transformation equations x=X+h and y=Y+k.

4.1 Differentiate the two transformation equations x=X+h and y=Y+k to get
dx=dX and dy=dY.

4.2 Transform the rearranged equation by replacing x with X+h, y with Y+k,
dx with dX and dy with dY. (Refer to Figure 2: Applying the
Transformation)

4.3 Divide the terms in the numerator and denominator into two groups: one
containing the X and Y terms and the other containing the rest of the
terms, as shown in Figure 2: Applying the Transformation:
Menon 3

dY/dX = - [3(X+h) + 2(Y+k) -5] / [2(X+h) + 3(Y+k) -5]

dY/dX = - [ (3X + 2Y) Figure


+ (3h +2: Cut Sulfur Tip.
2k -5) ] / [ (2X + 3Y) + (2h +3k -5) ] …(ii)
(Source: ebaumsworld.com 2004.)

Figure 2: Applying the Transformation.


(Source: Singh 2001.)

5.0 Choose values of h and k such that the last two terms in the numerator and
denominator of equation (ii) go to zero.

5.1 Pick out the two equations which form the last terms in the numerator and
denominator and equate both of them to zero.

5.2 Solve the system of simultaneous equations for h and k, as shown in


Figure 3: Solving for h and k:

3h + 2k – 5 = 0
2h + 3k – 5 = 0

We get h=1, k=1.

Figure 3: Applying the Transformation.


(Source: Singh 2001.)

6.0 Restate the new form of Equation (ii) neglecting the last terms in the numerator
and denominator. Refer to Figure 4: Modified Differential Equation.

dY/dX = - (3X + 2Y)/(2X + 3Y) … (iii)

Figure 4: Modified Differential Equation.


(Source: Singh 2001.)

7.0 Apply the next transformation Y=vX.


Menon 4

7.1 Differentiate both sides of Y=vX, treating v and X as variables and hence
applying the product rule to the right hand side of the equation. (Figure 5:
Second Transformation)

7.2 Establish a relationship between dY/dX and dv/dX.

7.3 Transform equation (iii) by replacing Y with vX and dY/dX with the
equation to the containing dv/dX derived in step 7.1. Refer to Figure 5:
Second Transformation.

Y = vX
dY/dX = v + X. dv/dX
Plugging this into (iii) and transforming it, we get
v + X. dv/dX = - [ 3X + 2(vX) ] / [ 2X + 3(vX) ]
Cancelling the X’s in the numerator and denominator, we get
v + X. dv/dX = - [3 + 2v] / [2 + 3v]

Figure 5: Second Transformation.


(Source: Singh 2001.)

8.0 Rearrange the terms so that dv/dX is on one side of the equation and every other
term on the other side. (Figure 6: Separating the Variables)

9.0 Now move the dX to the other side of the equation.

10.0 Separate the variables by moving all the v terms to the dv side of the equation and
all the X terms to the dX side of the equation, as shown in Figure 6: Separating
the Variables:

v + X. dv/dX = - [3 + 2v] / [2 + 3v]


X. dv/dX = - [3 + 2v] / [2 + 3v] – v
X. dv/dX = - (3v2 + 4v + 3) / (3v + 2)
(3v + 2)/( 3v2 + 4v + 3) dv = - (1/X) dX

Figure 6: Separating the Variables.


(Source: Singh 2001.)
Menon 5

11.0 Integrate both sides of the equation.

12.0 Use any properties of logarithms or inverse tangents to simplify the equation, if
possible. For an example, refer to Figure 7: Simplification.

After integrating, we get…


log(3v2 + 4v + 3) + 2log(X) = log(c)
where c: constant of integration
We can simplify it further…
log(3v2 + 4v + 3) + log(X2) = log(c)
log(3v2 + 4v + 3) (X2) = log(c)
(3v2 + 4v + 3) (X2) = (c) ... (iv)

Figure 7: Simplification.
(Source: Singh 2001.)

13.0 Replace all the v’s in equation (iv) by Y/X, by using the second transformation
that was applied in step 7.0. (Figure 8: Reverse Transformation and Expansion)

14.0 Replace all the Y’s with (y-k) and all the X’s with (x-h) using the first special
transformation that was applied in step 4.0. (Figure 8: Reverse Transformation
and Expansion)

15.0 Substituting h and k with the value that we determined in step 5.2, we expand the
equation as can be seen in Figure 8: Reverse Transformation and Expansion:

From (iv), we get…


(3Y /X2 + 4Y/X +3)( X2) = c
2

3Y2 + 4XY + 3X2 = c


3(y - k) 2 + 4 (x – h) 2 (y - k) 2+ 3(x – h) 2= c
3(y - 1) 2 + 4 (x – 1) 2 (y - 1) 2+ 3(x – 1) 2= c
3x2 + 4xy + 3y2 – 10x -10y = c -10
Since c-10 = constant = k
Therefore,
3x + 4xy + 3y2 – 10x -10y = k
2

Figure 8: Reverse Transformation and Expansion.


(Source: Singh 2001.)
Menon 6

CONCLUSION

In the event of the reader not getting a correct answer, the reader should recheck their
algebra in solving for h and k and separating the variables. If they both are flawless, then
the reader should check his integration. If the reader is still unsuccessful, then the reader
should go through all the instructions again and check to see if there are any
inconsistencies with their work and the instructions.

REFERENCES

Singh, Manjeet (2001). Pioneer Mathematics. New Delhi: Educational and Technical
Publishers. Check section 10 of the Style manual to see if your citation is consistent with
APA style.

BTW, I may have to have a mathematician colleague of mine check your instructions for
technical accuracy since it has been so long since I did this sort of math – I just wanted to
give you a head’s up.

You might also like