Differential Equation and omega

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the values of ω for which the function y = cos(ωt) satisfies the second-order differential equation d²y/dt² + 9y = 0. This falls under the subject area of differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the differential equation by isolating terms and integrating, but expresses confusion about the correctness of their approach. Some participants suggest substituting y = cos(ωt) into the equation and exploring the resulting expressions. Others raise questions about the implications of imaginary solutions and the interpretation of cosine functions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing corrections and clarifications regarding derivatives and the nature of solutions. There is a recognition of multiple potential solutions, including ω = ±3 and expressions involving t, though no consensus is reached on the final interpretation of these solutions.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding terminology such as "homogeneous equations" and the use of imaginary numbers, indicating a possible gap in the original poster's background knowledge. Participants are also navigating the complexities of cosine function properties and their implications for the solutions.

iggybaseball
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I am having trouble with the following problem:

Find the value(s) of [tex]\omega [\tex] for which [tex]y = \cos(\omega * t) [\tex] satisfies<br /> <br /> [tex]\frac{d^2*y}{d*t^2} + 9y = 0[\tex]<br /> <br /> I am trying to use latex but it doesn't seem to be working when I do "preview post" so I will rewrite what I am saying to make it more understandable in case Latex doesn't work upon posting.<br /> <br /> Find the value(s) of omega for which y = cos(omega*t) satisfies:<br /> <br /> (d^2t)/(dt^2) + 9y = 0<br /> <br /> -----------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> <br /> I am not entirely sure what I am supposed to do here. My ideas have been <br /> 1.) switch 9y over to the right side<br /> 2.)Take the integral of both sides<br /> 3.)Take the integral of both sides again to solve for y(t)<br /> <br /> This approach however left me lost in the dark and I feel is incorrect. I also tried substituting y = cos(omega*t) in for y but I can't solve the following equation. Could someone give me some ideas what I should do?[/tex][/tex][/tex]
 
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You need to use a normal slash in your closing tag, so [ /tex ], instead of the backslash \.

Here you go:
iggybaseball said:
[itex]\omega[/itex] for which [tex]y = \cos(\omega t)[/tex] satisfies

[tex]\frac{d^2 y}{d t^2} + 9y = 0[/tex]
The equation is homogenous, the char. polynomial gives [tex]\lambda ^2 + 9 = 0[/tex] so the solutions are [tex]\pm 3i[/tex]

That gives the following lineair combination of cos & sin as solution: [tex]y = c_1 \cos 3t + c_2 \sin 3t[/tex]

Does that help?
 
Last edited:
Thank you for pointing out my mistake. I am a little confused by your answer because we haven't talked about "homogenous equations", or had any solutions with imaginary numbers (3i). However would this be right...

[tex]y = \cos(\omega t)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dy}{dt} = -\omega\sin(\omega t)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d^2y}{dt^2} = \omega^2cos(\omega t)[/tex]

[tex]\omega^2\cos(\omega t) + 9\cos(\omega t) = 0[/tex]

[tex]\cos(\omega t)(\omega^2 + 9) = 0[/tex]

[tex]\omega = \pm3[/tex]

[tex]\cos(\omega t) = 0[/tex]

[tex]\omega t = 1[/tex]

[tex]\omega = \frac{1}{t}[/tex]

Therefore would the solutions
[tex]\omega = \pm3 , \frac{1}{t}[/tex]
be my solutions? Thanks again for the help with Latex. Life is much more easier now. :wink:
 
Watch out, if [itex]\frac{dy}{dt} = -\omega\sin(\omega t)[/itex] then [itex]\frac{d^2y}{dt^2} = -\omega^2cos(\omega t)[/itex] since the derivative of sinx is just cosx, the sign doesn't change there.

Other then that, your solutions would indeed be 3 and -3, as found before :smile:

After that, be careful. [itex]\cos 0 = 1[/itex] but not [itex]\cos 1 = 0[/itex]

So [itex]\cos \omega t = 0[/itex] would give the following solutions for [itex]\omega[/itex] as well, as a function of [itex]t[/itex]:

[tex]\cos \omega t = 0 \Leftrightarrow \omega t = \frac{\pi }{2} + 2k\pi \,\,\vee \,\, \omega t = \frac{{3\pi }}{2} + 2k\pi \Leftrightarrow \omega = \frac{{\pi \left( {4k + 1} \right)}}{{2t}} \,\,\vee \,\, \omega = \frac{{\pi \left( {4k + 1} \right)}}{{2t}}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Oh you are right that is a silly mistake on my part. I am a little confused and don't understand what you are writing (I'm not as advanced hehe) but after revision I get :

[tex]-\omega^2\cos(\omega t) + 9\cos(\omega t) = 0[/tex]

[tex]\cos(\omega t)(-\omega^2 + 9) = 0[/tex]

So my solutions are still valid (luckily) but are you saying if I add
[tex]2 \pi k[/tex]
to
[tex]\frac{1}{t}[/tex]

Those are also solutions? Sorry I just don't understand the last part. Thank you again.
 
You had [tex]\cos(\omega t)(-\omega^2 + 9) = 0[/tex], which seems correct.

[tex](-\omega^2 + 9) = 0[/tex] gives as solutions 3 and -3.

[tex]\cos(\omega t) = 0[/tex] gives the solutions I described above, since the argument of which a cosine is 0 has to be either [itex]\frac{\pi }{2}[/itex] or [itex]\frac{3\pi }{2}[/itex], and of course you can add [itex]2k\pi[/itex] to those solutions.
 
Now I understand everything you have written. Thank you so much for the help. Have a nice day :smile:
 
Glad I could help, a nice day to you too :smile:
 

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