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About Dr. Nyayapati Swami
Expertise
I can help you in solving first and second order differential equations. Questions must be at the Undergraduate level. Do not expect me to do all your homework.. If you have a homework question with no clues on how to go about, I will only give you some pointers on solving them.

Experience
Ph.D. in Mathematics with more than 15 years of teaching.
In addition to undergraduate calculus, I taught many more advanced subjects like Complex Analysis, General Topology, Numerical Analysis, Operations Research, Graph Theory, Mathematical Analysis, Mathematical Economics, Optimisation Theory.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. (University of Toledo, USA)

 
   

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Differential Equations - Differential equations


Expert: Dr. Nyayapati Swami - 8/30/2009

Question
In the diagram the tangent to a curve at a general point p with coordinates (x,y) meets the x-axis at T.The point N on the x-axis is such that the PN is perpendicular to the x-axis.The curve is such that,for all values of x in the interval 0<x<(1/2)pi,the area of triangle PTN is equal to tan x,where x is in radians.Using the fact that the gradient of the curve at P is PN/(TN), show that dy/(dx)=1/2(y^2)cot x. ii) given that y=2 when x=1/6(pi),solve this differential equation to find the equation of the curve,expressing y in terms of x. I dont know how to do both the questions, can you please help me? Many thanks

Answer
PN = y
PN/TN = dy/dx
y/TN = dy/dx
TN = y / (dy/dx)

Area of the triangle = tanx
(1/2)(PN)(TN) = tanx
(1/2)(y) (y / (dy/dx)) = tanx
(1/2) y^2 = tanx (dy/dx)
dy/dx = (1/2) y^2 / tanx
dy/dx = (1/2) y^2 cotx


For part (2), solve by separating the variables
2 dy/y^2 = cotx dx
Integration gives
-2 y^(-1) = ln(sinx) + C  
-2/y = ln(sinx) + C
Substitute the initial condition
-2/2 = ln(sin pi/6) + C
-1 = ln(1/2) + C
-1 = -ln2 + C
C = ln2 - 1
Therefore the solution is
-2/y = ln(sinx) + ln2 - 1
2/y = 1 - ln2 - ln(sinx)
y = 2/(1 - ln2 - ln(sinx))  

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