Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-year-2-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2009/paper-1/8/a/solution

For a nonzero solution on a branch where the real power is differentiable, set . Multiplying the Bernoulli differential equation by gives the linear equation
It can be solved by an integrating factor. For the specified cubic equation take , , so satisfies . Its integrating factor is , giving and hence . Thus all nonzero real solutions are
on connected intervals where the denominator is positive, with a fixed sign on each interval. Also solves the original equation and must be restored because the substitution excluded it. The choices give the constant solutions . Smoothness of the original right-hand side gives uniqueness, so a nonzero solution cannot cross through the zero solution at a finite regular point.

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