Differential Equations Systems problem (3X3 matrix) Please help

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving a system of differential equations represented by a 3x3 matrix. The original poster presents the matrix and their attempts to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors as part of the solution process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find eigenvalues and eigenvectors, leading to confusion about the implications of their results. Some participants suggest specific values for the eigenvector components, while others question how to proceed with the information obtained.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in clarifying the relationship between eigenvalues and eigenvectors, with some providing guidance on how to express the general solution. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the eigenvectors, and the discussion reflects an exploration of different approaches to the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted difference in notation among participants regarding the representation of eigenvectors, which may contribute to confusion. The original poster is also navigating the implications of repeated eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors.

VinnyCee
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Here is the problem:

[tex]X'\,=\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc}3 & -1 & -1\\1 & 1 & -1\\1 & -1 & 1\end{array}\right)\,X[/tex]

Here is what i have so far:

[tex]det(A\,-\,rI)\,=\,0[/tex]

[tex]det\left[\left(\begin{array}{ccc}3 & -1 & -1\\1 & 1 & -1\\1 & -1 & 1\end{array}\right)\,-\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc}r & 0 & 0\\0 & r & 0\\0 & 0 & r\end{array}\right)\right]\,=\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc}3\,-\,r & -1 & -1\\1 & 1\,-\,r & -1\\1 & -1 & 1\,-\,r\end{array}\right)[/tex]

[tex]-(r\,-\,1)\,(r^2\,-\,4r\,+4)\,=\,0[/tex]

[tex]r_1\,=\,1,\,\,\,\,r_2\,=\,2,\,\,\,\,r_3\,=\,2[/tex]

[itex]r\,=\,2[/itex] is repeated once.

[tex](A\,-\,r_1I)\,\xi\,=\,0[/tex]

[tex]\left[\left(\begin{array}{ccc}3 & -1 & -1\\1 & 1 & -1\\1 & -1 & 1\end{array}\right)\,-\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc}1 & 0 & 0\\0 & 1 & 0\\0 & 0 & 1\end{array}\right)\right]\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc} \xi_1 \\ \xi_2 \\ \xi_3 \end{array}\right)=\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc}2 & -1 & -1\\1 & 0 & -1\\1 & -1 & 0\end{array}\right)\,\left(\begin{array}{ccc} \xi_1 \\ \xi_2 \\ \xi_3 \end{array}\right)\,=\,0[/tex]

Now, multiplying out the right hand side of the equation above, and rref'ing, I get:

[tex]\left(\begin{array}{cccc} 1 & 0 & -1 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & -1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array}\right)[/tex]

Which means that,

[tex]\xi_1\,-\,\xi_3\,=\,0[/tex]
[tex]\xi_2\,-\,\xi_3\,=\,0[/tex]

So then,

[tex]\xi_1\,=\,\xi_2\,=\,\xi_3?[/tex]

Here is where I am stuck! What am I supposed to do now to solve this system?
 
Last edited:
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Just pick a number, like [tex]\xi_1 = \xi_2 = \xi_3 = 1[/tex] or something. That's just saying that any vector with all three components the same is an eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalue r = 1. Is that what you are asking?
 
Ok, [itex]\xi_1=\xi_2=\xi_3=1[/itex].

What do I do with this information?

Do I just solve for the [itex]r_2=r_3=2[/itex] part and that is the answer?

I am still not understnding exactly what it is that I am supposed to be doing with the [itex]\xi_n[/itex] values.
 
(note: unfortunately, there's a little difference between VinnyCee's notation and what follows. VinnyCee uses ξ1, ξ2, and ξ3 to represent eigenvector components. In what follows, ξ1, ξ2, and ξ3 are the actual eigenvectors themselves. sorry.)

from your results (& standard textbook): for single unique eigenvalue r1=1 and its eigenvector ξ1=<1, 1, 1>, a specific solution is:

[tex]X_{1}(t) \ = \ C_{1} \cdot \exp(r_1 t) \cdot \xi_{1} \ = \ C_1 \cdot \exp(t) \cdot \left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{array} \right )[/tex]

then for repeated eigenvalue r23=2 and its eigenvectors ξ2=<2, 1, 1> and ξ3=<1.33, -1, 2.33>, a specific solution is:

[tex]X_{23}(t) \ = \ C_{2} \cdot \exp(r_{23} t) \cdot \xi_{2} \ + \ C_{3} \cdot \exp(r_{23} t) \cdot ( \xi_{2} t \ + \ \xi_{3} ) \ = \ C_{2} \cdot \exp(2 t) \cdot \left ( \begin{array}{c} 2 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{array} \right ) \ + \ C_3 \cdot \exp(2t) \cdot \left ( \left ( \begin{array}{c} 2 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{array} \right ) \cdot t \ + \ \left ( \begin{array}{c} 1.33 \\ -1 \\ 2.33 \end{array} \right ) \right )[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{General Solution} \ = \ \textbf{X(t)} \ = \ X_{1}(t) \ + \ X_{23}(t)[/tex]

general solution is (X1(t) + X23(t)), and constants C1, C2, and C3 obtained from initial cond.
 
Last edited:
The general solution is...

Is this the correct general solution?:

[tex]X\,=\,\ C_1 \cdot e^t \cdot \left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 1 \\ 1 \end{array} \right ) \,+\,\ C_2 \cdot e^{2t} \cdot \left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{array} \right ) \,+\,\ C_3 \cdot e^{2t} \cdot \left [ \left( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{array} \right )\cdot t\,+\,\left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right ) \right][/tex]

This is using different eigenvectors than you calculated. I got:

[tex]\xi^{(2)}\,=\,\left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{array} \right )[/tex] and [tex]\xi^{(2)}\,=\,\left ( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right )[/tex].

I think that they are just multipules of your solutions.
 

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