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gabrown
Mar25-08, 12:31 PM
Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help me solve or even know the type of the differential equation below

d2x/dt2= k*dy/dt


Sorry
I also have

d2y/dt2= -k*dx/dt

where k is a constant.

I need it to find the position x when looking at a particle going through a magnetic field.

Thanks very much

Gareth

coomast
Mar26-08, 04:43 AM
Are you sure about the equation? It has two dependent variables, x and y as functions of t. Because you only have one equation this seems strange.

gabrown
Mar26-08, 05:14 AM
Edited.

Hootenanny
Mar26-08, 05:33 AM
In that case I would suggest differentiating the first ODE with respect to t and then substituting it into the second. Upon substitution, you will obtain a third order homogenous ODE in y which can be solved trivially.

coomast
Mar26-08, 07:18 AM
I just got the solution on paper. You're too fast Hootenanny...

gabrown
Mar26-08, 05:40 PM
Cheers guys, I think i understand (think i was being a bit dumb) getting confised about my boundary conditions.