# Thread: A first order DE

1. ## A first order DE

Hi,

I have the DE $\frac{dy}{dt} +\frac{dy}{dt}t^2 = e^{-y}$

If you take the reciprocal of both sides, you end up with:
$\frac{dt}{dy}+\frac{dt}{dy}t^{-2} = e^y$

multiply by dy: $dt + t^-2dt = e^y dy$

But when im then integrating this, i get
$t -\frac{1}{3}t^{-3} = e^y$

What's wrong here?

2. Originally Posted by Jones
Hi,

I have the DE $\frac{dy}{dt} +\frac{dy}{dt}t^2 = e^{-y}$

If you take the reciprocal of both sides, you end up with:
$\frac{dt}{dy}+\frac{dt}{dy}t^{-2} = e^y$

multiply by dy: $dt + t^-2dt = e^y dy$

But when im then integrating this, i get
$t -\frac{1}{3}t^{-3} = e^y$

What's wrong here?
It is not true that the reciprocal of $a + b$ is $(1/a) + (1/b)$.

3. Originally Posted by Opalg
It is not true that the reciprocal of $a + b$ is $(1/a) + (1/b)$.
Right,

$\frac{1}{\frac{dy}{dt}+\frac{dy}{dt}t^2}$

Can you "factor out" the differential operator dy/dx, is that mathematically correct?

4. since $y'(x)=\frac{dy}{dx}.$