What should be the particular solution?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the appropriate form of a particular solution for a specific differential equation. Participants explore various methods for finding this solution, including trial functions and the method of variation of constants, while addressing the nuances of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests trying the form "[Asinx + Bcosx + C] exp(-2x)" for the particular solution.
  • Another participant agrees that this form is acceptable.
  • Some participants propose using the method of variation of constants as an elegant alternative.
  • A different proposed form is "x^{2}e^{-2x}(Ax \cos 2x + Bx \sin 2x + C)", introducing additional complexity.
  • One participant indicates that the correct form should be "[1+xcosx] exp(-2x)", challenging the initial suggestion.
  • There is a discussion about needing to include an "x" in the trial function due to the presence of the exponential in both the homogeneous solution and the nonhomogeneous term.
  • Clarifications are made about the necessity of omitting certain terms, such as the constant "C", from the trial function.
  • Another participant outlines a method involving differential operators to eliminate the right-hand side of the equation, leading to a more complex solution structure.
  • Further calculations and substitutions are discussed, leading to a derived particular solution and a general solution, with an emphasis on the process rather than the final result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the correct form of the particular solution, with no consensus reached. Some support the initial trial function while others argue for alternatives, indicating an ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various methods and forms for the particular solution, but the discussion remains open-ended with unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions about the differential equation's structure.

tony_engin
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Hi all!
In this differentail equation, what particular should I try?
Is it correct to try
"[Asinx + Bcosx + C] exp(-2x)"?
 

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Yes it's ok.
 
Or you can do it by the method of variation of constants.I've always thought of it as being elegant...

Daniel.
 
what about this?
p.s. please open the word file as i don't know how to type mathematical symbols here..
 

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Yes you should try

[tex]x^{2}e^{-2x}(Ax \cos 2x + Bx \sin 2x + C)[/tex]

There are other methods for solving nonhomogenous constant coefficients ODEs such as Anulator Method by using the differential operator, and also Variation of parameters.

Here's a preview of the Anulator Method.

Imagine a ODE

[tex]y'' + 3y' + 2y = 4x^2[/tex]

if we rewrite the above ODE with the differential operator D

[tex](D^2 + 3D +2)y = 4x^2[/tex]

Now if we use a differential operator [itex]D^3[/itex] we could eliminate [itex]4x^{2}[/itex]

[tex]D^3(D^2 + 3D +2)y = 4 D^3 x^2[/tex]

[tex]D^3(D^2 + 3D +2)y = 0[/tex]

Thus making a fifth grade auxiliary equation. There are more steps it was just a preview.
 
Last edited:
For the first differential equation that I firtsly raised, the answer of the particular solution should be something like "[1+xcosx] exp(-2x)" as given by the book. So I think the trial form should not be "[Asinx + Bcosx + C] exp(-2x)", right? So, what should be the correct form?
 
I've already given you the hint to do it.It's up to you if u prefer other method,just as long as it leads to the result.The correct one.

Daniel.
 
um...you mean do it by variation of constants?
Since this is an exercise in trying the particular solution, I would like to know the form of the trial particular solution.
 
One of the solution of the homogenous one contains that e^{-2x},so that should give a hint on how to pick the trial function.

Daniel.
 
  • #10
I previously thought that I should try "[Asinx + Bcosx + C] exp(-2x)"
but the answer given by the book shows that this is wrong..
 
  • #11
Of course.You need an "x" to multiply the exponential,because the exponential is contained both in the solution of the hom.eq. and in the nonhomogeneity term.

Daniel.
 
  • #12
So, it should be "[(Asinx + Bcosx)x + C] exp(-2x)" or "x[Asinx + Bcosx + C] exp(-2x)"?
 
  • #13
The first without the C,it's useless there.

Daniel.
 
  • #14
If you're still referring to your ODE.

[tex]y_{p_{1}} = Ce^{-2x}[/tex]

[tex]y_{p_{2}} = xe^{-2x}(A \cos x + B \sin x)[/tex]

[tex]y_{p} = Ce^{2x} + xe^{-2x}(A \cos x + B \sin x)[/tex]
 
  • #15
Tony, where are you with this? Getting it?

This is what I'd do (other than just plug it into Mathematica):

I tell you what, since the RHS is a particular solution to the homogeneous ODE:

[tex](D+2)(D^2+4D+5)y=0\quad\text{(1)}\quad[/tex]

you can apply this operator to both sides of the original equation to aniliate the RHS, that is:

If you have:

[tex]y^{''}+4y^{'}+5y=e^{-2x}(1+Cos(x))\quad\text{(2)}\quad[/tex]

Applying the differential operator in (1) to both sides yields:

[tex](D+2)(D^2+4D+5)(D^2+4D+5)y=0\quad\text{(3)}\quad[/tex]

Right?

The solution of (3) will contain the solution of (2), just gets messy that's all.

So the solution of (3) is:

[tex]y(x)=c_1e^{-2x}+c_2e^{-2x}Cos(x)+c_3e^{-2x}Sin(x)+c_4xe^{-2x}Cos(x)+c_5xe^{-2x}Sin(x)[/tex]

And thus a particular solution of (2) will be:

[tex]y_p(x)=Ae^{-2x}+Bxe^{-2x}Cos(x)+Cxe^{-2x}Sin(x)[/tex]

Now what? How about a plot of the solution (just make up some initial conditions)?
 
Last edited:
  • #16
Just some follow up:

Well, if you substitute [itex]y_p(x)[/itex] into (2) above, it gets a little messy, do this and that, equate coefficients, some things cancel, and we're left with:

[tex]y_p(x)=e^{-2x}+\frac{1}{2}xe^{-2x}Sin(x)[/tex]

So that the general solution is:

[tex]y(x)=c_1e^{-2x}Cos(x)+c_2e^{-2x}Sin(x)+e^{-2x}+\frac{1}{2}xe^{-2x}Sin(x)[/tex]

Letting:

y(0)=1

y'(0)=1

we get:

[tex]y(x)=3e^{-2x}Sin(x)+e^{-2x}+\frac{1}{2}xe^{-2x}Sin(x)[/tex]

I've attached a plot of this solution. Tony, you can do all this right?
 

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