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Ch. 4 - Applications of Derivatives
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 4, Problem 4.7.87

Initial Value Problems
Solve the initial value problems in Exercises 71–90.
d³y/dx³ = 6; y″(0) = −8, y′(0) = 0, y(0) = 5

Verified step by step guidance
1
Recognize that the given differential equation is a third-order ordinary differential equation: \(\frac{d^{3}y}{dx^{3}} = 6\). Our goal is to find the function \(y(x)\) that satisfies this equation along with the initial conditions.
Integrate the differential equation once with respect to \(x\) to find the second derivative \(y''(x)\). Since \(\frac{d^{3}y}{dx^{3}} = 6\), integrating gives \(y''(x) = 6x + C_1\), where \(C_1\) is an integration constant.
Use the initial condition \(y''(0) = -8\) to solve for \(C_1\). Substitute \(x=0\) into \(y''(x) = 6x + C_1\) and set it equal to \(-8\) to find \(C_1\).
Integrate \(y''(x)\) to find the first derivative \(y'(x)\). This gives \(y'(x) = \int y''(x) \, dx = \int (6x + C_1) \, dx = 3x^{2} + C_1 x + C_2\), where \(C_2\) is another integration constant.
Use the initial condition \(y'(0) = 0\) to solve for \(C_2\). Substitute \(x=0\) into \(y'(x)\) and set it equal to \(0\) to find \(C_2\). Then integrate \(y'(x)\) once more to find \(y(x)\), and use the initial condition \(y(0) = 5\) to solve for the last constant.

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Key Concepts

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

Higher-Order Derivatives and Integration

This involves understanding derivatives beyond the first order, such as the third derivative given here. To solve the differential equation, you integrate the third derivative step-by-step to find the second, first derivatives, and finally the original function, adding constants of integration at each step.
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Initial Conditions in Differential Equations

Initial conditions specify the values of the function and its derivatives at a particular point, allowing us to determine the constants of integration uniquely. Here, values for y(0), y′(0), and y″(0) are given, which help solve for the constants after integration.
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Solving Initial Value Problems (IVPs)

An IVP requires finding a function that satisfies a differential equation and meets given initial conditions. The process involves integrating the differential equation and applying the initial values to find the specific solution that fits the problem.
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