Solving for y in an ODE with Initial Conditions

In summary, the conversation is about a peculiar ODE involving functions A and B as PDFs and y as a cumulative distribution function. The problem also includes initial conditions and the solution is a linear first order DE with a general solution that can be derived using constants and the initial conditions. The conversation also discusses the context of the question and whether it is for schoolwork or not.
  • #1
mmzaj
107
0
what is the solution for y in this peculiar ODE ?

[tex]A\left(y,x\right)=\frac{dy}{dx}+B(x)(1-y)[/tex]

with initial conditions :

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\left0 \ldots , y=0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\delta(x-x_{0})\ldots,y=1[/tex]

moreover

[tex]\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}Adx=\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}Bdx=1[/tex]
 
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  • #2
mmzaj said:
what is the solution for y in this peculiar ODE ?

[tex]A\left(y,x\right)=\frac{dy}{dx}+B(x)(1-y)[/tex]

with initial conditions :

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\left0 \ldots , y=0[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}=\delta(x-x_{0})\ldots,y=1[/tex]

moreover

[tex]\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}Adx=\int^{\infty}_{-\infty}Bdx=1[/tex]

What is the context of your question? Is this schoolwork?
 
  • #3
"A(x,y)" implies that A is a function of the independent variables x and y but then dy/dx makes no sense.
 
  • #4
berkeman said:
What is the context of your question? Is this schoolwork?

yes and no , it's not a homework , it's for a term paper . the functions A&B are PDFs of some kind , and y is a cumulative distribution function .
 
  • #5
ok , here is a trial :

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx} = \alpha(x)\cdot y + \beta (x)[/tex] (1)

where ...

[tex]\alpha(x)= B(x)[/tex]

[tex]\beta(x)= A(x) - B(x)[/tex]

(1) is a linear first order DE and its general solution is...

[tex]\ y(x)= e^{\int \alpha(x)\cdot dx} (\int \beta(x)\cdot e^{-\int \alpha(x)\cdot dx}\cdot dx + c)[/tex]

The constant c is derived [if possible...] from the initial conditions
 
  • #6
HallsofIvy said:
"A(x,y)" implies that A is a function of the independent variables x and y but then dy/dx makes no sense.

you can think of [tex]\frac{dy}{dx}[/tex] as an implicit derivative rather than explicit
 
Last edited:

FAQ: Solving for y in an ODE with Initial Conditions

How do I solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions?

To solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions, you will need to use a mathematical method such as separation of variables, substitution, or integration. You will also need to use the initial conditions to find the value of any constants that may be present in the solution.

What are initial conditions in an ODE?

Initial conditions in an ODE refer to the values of the dependent variable (usually denoted as y) and its derivatives at a specific point in the independent variable (usually denoted as x). These conditions are used to determine the specific solution to the ODE.

Can I use any method to solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions?

No, you cannot use any method to solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions. The method you choose will depend on the type of ODE and the initial conditions given. Some methods may be more suitable for certain types of ODEs.

What happens if I don't have initial conditions in an ODE?

If you don't have initial conditions in an ODE, then the solution will not be unique. This means that there will be multiple possible solutions to the ODE, and you will not be able to find a specific solution without the initial conditions.

Can I solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions using a computer program?

Yes, you can solve for y in an ODE with initial conditions using a computer program. There are many mathematical software programs that have built-in functions for solving ODEs, and you can also write your own code to solve them using numerical methods. However, it is important to have a good understanding of the mathematical concepts behind solving ODEs before using a computer program.

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