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Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 7.6.115

Solve the initial value problems in Exercises 115–120.
115. dy/dx = 1/√(1 - x²), y(0) = 0

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Identify the differential equation given: \(\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}\) with the initial condition \(y(0) = 0\).
Recognize that to find \(y\), you need to integrate the right-hand side with respect to \(x\): \(y = \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}} \, dx + C\).
Recall the integral formula: \(\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}} \, dx = \arcsin(x) + C\).
Apply the initial condition \(y(0) = 0\) to solve for the constant of integration \(C\): substitute \(x=0\) and \(y=0\) into \(y = \arcsin(x) + C\).
Write the final solution as \(y = \arcsin(x) + C\) with the value of \(C\) found from the initial condition.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Separable Differential Equations

A separable differential equation can be written as a product of a function of x and a function of y, allowing the variables to be separated on opposite sides of the equation. This enables integration with respect to each variable independently to find the general solution.
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Integration of Inverse Trigonometric Functions

The integral of 1/√(1 - x²) is the inverse sine function, arcsin(x), plus a constant. Recognizing this form is essential for solving differential equations involving derivatives that match inverse trigonometric derivatives.
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Derivatives of Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Initial Value Problems (IVP)

An initial value problem specifies the value of the solution at a particular point, allowing determination of the constant of integration. This ensures a unique solution that satisfies both the differential equation and the initial condition.
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Initial Value Problems