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Slope Fields

The document discusses slope fields (also called direction fields), which provide a graphical representation of the general solution to a first-order differential equation. Slope fields show the tangent of each solution curve at points on a grid, allowing visualization of solutions without requiring analytical integration. Examples are given of plotting slope fields for simple differential equations like dy/dx = 2x, as well as more complex ones. Slope fields can be used to check solutions, approximate solutions given initial conditions, and numerically find solutions when no closed-form exists.

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212 views15 pages

Slope Fields

The document discusses slope fields (also called direction fields), which provide a graphical representation of the general solution to a first-order differential equation. Slope fields show the tangent of each solution curve at points on a grid, allowing visualization of solutions without requiring analytical integration. Examples are given of plotting slope fields for simple differential equations like dy/dx = 2x, as well as more complex ones. Slope fields can be used to check solutions, approximate solutions given initial conditions, and numerically find solutions when no closed-form exists.

Uploaded by

ash
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SLOPE FIELD

INTRODUCTION
Given a differential Equation, how do we find the solution
curve?

For Example, dy/dx = ( x^2 ) + x.

We simply integrate to get,


y = (x^3) / 3 + (x^2) / 2 + c.
INTRODUCTION

Now, try integrating dy/dx = (x^3 + x + 5) / (y^2 + y)


or dy/dx = tanh( log|x(y^3)| ).

Its very tough to integrate such complex differential


equations, even if you find the solution, you cant exactly prove
the correctness.

Then what is the SOLUTION for this???


SLOPE FIELD
Slope Field or Direction Field or vector Field is a graphical
representation of the General solution of a First-Order
Differential Equation.

It allows visualizing solutions without solving the


Differential Equations analytically.

Slope Fields are represented by drawing the tangents of


the curve on a rectangular grid.
Example

For example , consider the differential equation


dy/dx = 2x

At the point (0,0) the slope would be 2*0 = 0.


At the point (5,3) the slope would be 2*5 = 10.
At the point (-3,11) the slope would be 2*-3 = -6

(Notice that the y-value of these points doesn't influence


the slope in this particular example.)

Lets plot now..


y

y 2 x Plug 0
into y

x y y for x
Draw a segment 0 0 0
with slope of 2. 0 1 0 Plug 1
0 2 0 into y
x 0 3 0 for x

1 0 2

Draw a segment 1 1 2
with slope of 0.
Draw a segment

with slope of 4.
2 0 4
-1 0 -2
-2 0 -4


y 2 x
y


If you know an initial
condition, such as (1,2), you

can sketch the curve.

By following the slopes, you
get a rough
x
picture of what

the

curve
looks like.

In this case, it is a parabola.
How could we have seen this

coming?
A parabola is exactly what you
would get when
you integrate y 2 x

This is the output
of our program, for
the same
differential
equation in the
range
-4 x 5, and
-5 y 5,

dy/dx= 2x
y=(x^2) + c

The solution curve


is a parabola.
This is the slope
field for

dy/dx=(x^3 + x + 5)
/ (y^2 + y)
This is the
slope field for

dy/dx=(x^3 +
x) / (y^2 + y)
Problems that begin with the derivative are called differential equations. When
you are given an initial point, they are called initial value problems. Plotting
these slopes gives you what is called a slope field.

Guess these: y ex ?

y ln x ?


A B


Notice that the curves for each function follow the slopes
like a boat following a river current.

y ln x ____
B
y ex A
____

A B


SLOPE FIELD
Integral of a derivative is used to find the function of the
curve.
But it will be difficult to find the integral of a complex
derivative.

Slope Field makes it easy to visualize the required curve


graphically.

It can also be used for checking the correctness of


a solution curve.


SLOPE FIELD

If we have a initial condition f(a) = b,


we can even draw the solution curve with reasonable
approximation by " connecting the dots."

Using initial condition we find c in


f(y) = f(x) + c
c = f(a) - f(b)
SLOPE FIELD

With computers, complicated slope fields can be


quickly made, so a practical application is to use
them to get the idea about what a solution should
be before an explicit general solution is solved.
Computers can also just solve for one, if it exists.

Even If there is no explicit general solution, computers


can use slope fields to numerically find graphical
solutions

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