System of coupled second order differential equations.
Hey folks I'm looking for a way to find the characteristic equation for a second order coupled system of differential equations such as...
[tex]\ddot{x} + A\dot{y} + Bx = 0[/tex]
[tex]\ddot{y} + C\dot{x} + Dy = 0[/tex]
Where x and y are functions of time.
I know I can solve it by setting x and y to standard results (trig, exponential) but I'd like to know a method to solving this rather than plug and solve for coefficients.
Specifically I'd like to know how to find the characteristic equation for this. I've tried setting it to a first order system but I can't see it leading anywhere (or perhaps I just did it wrong...).
I don't want a full answer, just the name of a method or something like that.
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