Original
When a mathematician solves a differential equation, they are finding
{{CMD_364}}functions{{CMD_365}} satisfying the equation.
{{CMD_366}}
Which of the following functions solve the differential equation
{{MATH_367}}
{{CMD_368}}
{{CMD_369}}{{MATH_370}}{{CMD_371}}
{{CMD_372}}{{MATH_373}}{{CMD_374}}
{{CMD_375}}{{MATH_376}}{{CMD_377}}
{{CMD_378}}{{MATH_379}}{{CMD_380}}
{{CMD_381}}{{MATH_382}}{{CMD_383}}
{{CMD_384}}{{MATH_385}}{{CMD_386}}
{{CMD_387}}
{{CMD_388}}
{{CMD_389}}
We can directly check that any function {{MATH_390}} is a solution to our differential equation {{MATH_391}}. Could there be any others? It turns out that these are the {{CMD_392}}only{{CMD_393}} solutions. But showing that we didn't miss any is a bit tricky.
{{CMD_394}}
{{CMD_395}}
Well, suppose we have some mysterious function {{MATH_396}} and all we know is that {{MATH_397}}. Let's define a new function {{MATH_398}}. Since our denominator is never 0, the quotient rule tells us that
{{MATH_399}}
But we know that a function with a 0 derivative is constant, so {{MATH_400}}. Plugging this back into our formula for {{MATH_401}} tells us that {{MATH_402}}.