Worked solution
Reduce a differential equation with a substitution
Show that reduces , where , to . Hence show that the general solution may be expressed as , with arbitrary constant .
[2006/TJC/I/14(OR)(modified)]
CJC · Discussion · Question 2
Answer
on admissible intervals, together with the additional solution .
Apply the product rule
gives . Substitution gives . Since , .
How did this part go?
Separate the nonzero solution
For , , so . Returning to gives on intervals with and .
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Retain the equilibrium lost by division
also solves the reduced equation, giving in the original equation. This valid solution is omitted by division by and is not represented by a finite value of in the printed family.
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Common mistakes
Dividing by a dependent variable can lose an equilibrium solution.