Solving Separable Differential Equations
John Travis
Mississippi College
Blanchard, Devaney and Hall, 4th edition.
This worksheet deals with simple autonomous differential equations of the form $y' = f(y)$. That is, there are no explicit references to the variable $t$ in f(t,y). In Sage, one can obtain an entire slope field using built-in functions but this page is focused on creating the "phase line" for autonomous DEs. However, since changes in $t$ will not affect $y'$, slope fields will have constant slopes along horizontal lines. Hence, a phase line represents the slopes on a vertical slice of this autonomous DE slope field.
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First, one will need to let this worksheet know what particular the differential equation $y' = f(y)$ is to be investigated by specifying $f(y)$ below. To see a different result throughout this worksheet, one should change $f(y)$ here and then be certain to reevaluate the cell.
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Equilibria occur when a solution $y(t)$ for the DE remains constant. If so, then $y'=0$ and hence $f(y) = 0$.
Also, one can determine whether an equilibrium is a sink or source using the sign of $f'(y)$.
Solving
{\left(y^{2} - 4\right)} y^{2} = 0
Equilibria occur at the following parameter values: -2 Sink 2 Source 0 Node?
Solving
{\left(y^{2} - 4\right)} y^{2} = 0
Equilibria occur at the following parameter values: -2 Sink 2 Source 0 Node? |
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Since the DE is autonomous, we can determine the qualitative nature of all solutions by plotting the "phase line". Experiment with various values of the parameter and look for dramatic changes as you pass through the possible bifurcation values indicated above.
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or with the regions smoothly drawn...
For the fun of it, let's let sage attempt to get the exact solution for the input differential equation.
\newcommand{\Bold}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}\frac{\log\left(y\left(t\right) - 2\right) y\left(t\right) - \log\left(y\left(t\right) + 2\right) y\left(t\right) + 4}{16 \, y\left(t\right)} = c + t ([y(t) == 4/(16*c + 16*t - log(y(t) - 2) + log(y(t) + 2))], [1]) \newcommand{\Bold}[1]{\mathbf{#1}}\frac{\log\left(y\left(t\right) - 2\right) y\left(t\right) - \log\left(y\left(t\right) + 2\right) y\left(t\right) + 4}{16 \, y\left(t\right)} = c + t ([y(t) == 4/(16*c + 16*t - log(y(t) - 2) + log(y(t) + 2))], [1]) |
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