(a) Represents a^,b^ as unit vectors at angles α,−β from the x-axis and equates the two expressions for their dot product; (b) solves the homogeneous first-order ODE by the substitution y=vx, fixes the constant from y(1)=1, then solves for x0 from y(x0)=e. Both alternatives answered below.
(a) Vector proof of cos(α+β)=cosαcosβ−sinαsinβ
1. Unit vectors. Let a^=cosαi^+sinαj^ (unit vector at angle α above the x-axis) and b^=cosβi^−sinβj^ (unit vector at angle β below the x-axis, i.e. at angle −β).
2. Angle between a^ and b^. Going from b^ (at angle −β) to a^ (at angle α) sweeps an angle α−(−β)=α+β. Since both are unit vectors:
a^⋅b^=∣a^∣∣b^∣cos(α+β)=cos(α+β)
3. Dot product by components.
a^⋅b^=(cosα)(cosβ)+(sinα)(−sinβ)=cosαcosβ−sinαsinβ
4. Equate the two expressions (steps 2 and 3), both being a^⋅b^:
cos(α+β)=cosαcosβ−sinαsinβ
as required — proved by the vector (dot-product) method.
(b) Solve (x2+y2)dy=xydx, with y(1)=1, find x0 where y(x0)=e
1. Rewrite and identify as homogeneous. dxdy=x2+y2xy — the right side is a function of y/x alone.
2. Substitute y=vx, so dxdy=v+xdxdv:
v+xdxdv=x2+v2x2x(vx)=1+v2v
3. Isolate xdv/dx.
xdxdv=1+v2v−v=1+v2v−v(1+v2)=1+v2−v3
4. Separate variables.
v31+v2dv=−xdx ⟹ (v31+v1)dv=−xdx
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