Ma 221 - Differential Equations Homework 1 (Solutions) Due: Jan 26, 2017

Grading: 30 pts in total. See each problem for scoring details.

1. (a) Classify each of the following ODEs as linear or nonlinear. If nonlinear, identify the terms
that make the differential equation nonlinear.

d2 y dy
(1) 2
+ t2 + 2y = sin(t) Solution: Linear
dt dt
d2 y dy
(2) 2
+ t2 + 2 sin(y) = t Solution: Noninear; sin(y)
dt dt
d4 y d2 y
(3) + 2 +y =1 Solution: Linear
dt4 dt
dy 1
(4) + t2 y = Solution: Linear
dt 1 + t2
dy 1
(5) + ty 2 = Solution: Nonlinear; y 2
dt 1 + t2

d3 y dy
(6) t3 + t + cos2 (t)y = te−t Solution: Linear
dt3 dt

(b) Consider the linear ODE, y 00 + t2 y = 0. Suppose we have two solutions to the ODE, y = g(t)
and y = h(t). In other words, g 00 (t) + t2 g(t) = 0 and h00 (t) + t2 h(t) = 0. Show that the
function f (t) = g(t) + h(t) is also a solution to the ODE.
(This property of linear equations is called superposition.)

(c) Now consider the nonlinear ODE, y 00 + ty 2 = 0, and suppose y = u(t) and y = v(t) are two
solutions. Show that the function w(t) = u(t) + v(t) is not a solution to the ODE.

Grading: 10 pts (6 + 2 + 2)
(a) 4 pts for classifying all six equations; 2 pts for identifying nonlinear terms.

Solution:
(b) (g + h)00 + t2 (g + h) = (g 00 + t2 g) + (h00 + t2 h) = 0

(c) (u + v)00 + t(u + v)2 = (u00 + tu2 ) + (v 00 + tv 2 ) + 2tuv = 2tuv 6= 0

 dy 4
2. Consider the first-order ODE, = y3.
dt
 3
3
(a) Verify that y = − is a one-parameter family of solutions (C is any constant).
t+C

(b) Solve the two initial-value problems: (i) with y(0) = 1/8 and (ii) with y(0) = −1/8.
For each solution, determine the existence interval and sketch the graph of the solution.

Grading: 10 pts (5 + 5)
 3  3
3 27 3
Answer: (b) (i) y = − =− on (−∞, 6) (i) y = − on (−1, +∞)
(t − 6) (t − 6)3 (t + 6)
Solution:
4/3
(−3)3 (−3)4 (−3)3

dy
(a) y(t) = =⇒ = = = y 4/3 (y 0 = y 4/3 is verified.)
(t + C)3 dt (t + C)4 (t + C)3
 3
3 −27
(b) (i) y(0) = 1/8 ⇒ 1/8 = − ⇒ C = −6 ⇒ y(t) = .
C (t − 6)3
The (positive) solution exists on the interval −∞ < t < 6 with lim y(t) = +∞
t→6−

 3
3 −27
(ii) y(0) = −1/8 ⇒ −1/8 = − ⇒ C = 6 ⇒ y(t) = .
C (t + 6)3
The (negative) solution exists on the interval −6 < t < +∞ with lim y(t) = −∞
t→−6+

y = -27/(t - 6)3 y = -27/(t + 6)3

10 0

8 -2

6 -4
y

4 -6

2 -8

0 -10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0
t t
 dy
3. Consider the first-order ODE, (x2 − y) + 2xy = 0.
dx

(a) Verify that the expression −2x2 y + y 2 = C is an implicit solution to the differential equation,
for any constant C.
(b) The figure below shows a sample of level curves, −2x2 y + y 2 = C. Label each of the curves
with the appropriate value of C.
(c) Determine the value of C for the solution curve containing the point (1, 3) and express the
solution in explicit form, y = φ(x). In the figure below, identify the curve that represents the
solution to this IVP.

Grading: 10 pts (3 + 3 + 4)
(b) Each value of C has two components. Both pieces should be labeled.
(c) Deduct 2 pts if final explicit solution contains ± in front of square root.
p
Answer: (c) y = x2 + x4 + 3.
Solution:

(a) Apply d/dx to the implicit equation assuming y = y(x).

d
d(C) dy dy dy
−2x2 y + y 2 = ⇒ −4xy − 2x2 + 2y = 0 ⇒ (x2 − y) + 2xy = 0
dx dx dx dx dx

(b) The level curves are for C = {−1, 0, 1, 3, 5}.

(c) y(1) = 3 ⇒ −2 · (1)2 · (3) + (3)2 = C ⇒ C = −6 + 9 = 3.

The solution to the IVP is given implicitly by the equation −2x2 y + y 2 = 3.
Using the quadratic formula to solve for y in terms of x,
p
y 2 − 2x2 y − 3 = 0 ⇒ y = x2 ± x4 + 3.

By evaluating this expression

√ at x = 1, it should be clear that the unique solution passing
through (1, 3) is y = x2 + x4 + 3.
 -2x2y + y 2 = C

3
5

1
1
y

-1

0
-1

0 0

-1
3

-2
5

-2 -1 0 1 2
x