Ordinary Differential Equation - Comparing 2 Solutions

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on solving the ordinary differential equation (ODE) represented by the equation {g}'(s) + μg(s) = {f}'(-s) + μf(-s). The correct solution is derived using integration techniques and the integrating factor e^{μs}. Two distinct solution approaches are presented, with one yielding the correct result and the other resulting in a sign discrepancy. The final correct expression for g(s) is g(s) = -f(-s) + 2μe^{-μs}∫_{-s}^{∞}f(s')e^{-μs'}ds'. The discussion highlights the importance of careful integration and variable substitution in solving ODEs.

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Homework Statement



{g}'\left ( s \right )+\mu g\left ( s \right )={f}'\left ( -s \right )+\mu f\left ( -s \right )
Integrate up to get
g\left ( s \right )=-f\left ( -s \right )+2\mu e^{-\mu s}\int_{-s}^{\infty }e^{-\mu {s}'}f\left ( {s}' \right )d{s}'

Homework Equations



As above

The Attempt at a Solution



I've seen a few attempts at this, one that arrives at the correct solution, which is the method i used and had no trouble with. However, another attempt I've seen, which doesn't yield the correct solution is causing me much headache as i can't work out where it's going wrong. Some pointing out here would be really helpful. Thanks

Using the following integrating factor on the equation above
e^{\int \mu ds}=e^{\mu s}
e^{\mu s}{g}'\left ( s \right )+e^{\mu s}\mu g\left ( s \right )=e^{\mu s}\left [ {f}'\left ( -s \right )+\mu f\left ( -s \right ) \right ]
At this point i wrote
\frac{d}{ds}\left [ e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right ) \right ]=e^{\mu s}\left [ {f}'\left ( -s \right )+\mu f\left ( -s \right ) \right ]
\left. e^{\mu {s}'}g\left ( {s}' \right ) \right|_{-\infty }^{s}=\int_{-\infty }^{s}e^{\mu {s}'}\left [ {f}'\left ( {-s}' \right )+\mu f\left ( {-s}' \right ) \right ]d{s}'
Then to skip a few steps i did by parts integration to get the following (can include missing steps if needed)
e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right )=-e^{\mu s}f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu \int_{-\infty }^{s}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{\mu {s}'}d{s}'
g\left ( s \right )=-f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu e^{-\mu s}\int_{-\infty }^{s}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{\mu {s}'}d{s}'
Swapping limits and changing 's' for '-s' gives
g\left ( s \right )=-f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu e^{-\mu s}\int_{-s}^{\infty }f\left ( {s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'}d{s}'
As required


The other route wrote took the following path
\frac{d}{ds}\left [ e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right ) \right ]e^{-\mu s}=\frac{d}{ds}\left [ f\left ( -s \right )e^{-\mu s} \right ]e^{\mu s}
\frac{d}{ds}\left [ e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right ) \right ]=-\frac{d}{ds}\left [ f\left ( -s \right )e^{-\mu s} \right ]e^{2\mu s}
\left. e^{\mu {s}'}g\left ( {s}' \right ) \right|_{-\infty }^{s}=\int_{-\infty }^{s}-e^{2\mu {s}'}\frac{d}{ds}\left [ f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'} \right ]d{s}'
e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right )=\left. -e^{2\mu {s}'}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'}\right|_{-\infty }^{s}+ \int_{-\infty }^{s}2\mu e^{2\mu s}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'}d{s}'
e^{\mu s}g\left ( s \right )=-e^{\mu s}f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu e^{2\mu s}\int_{-\infty }^{s}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'}d{s}'
g\left ( s \right )=-f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu e^{\mu s}\int_{-\infty }^{s}f\left ( {-s}' \right )e^{-\mu {s}'}d{s}'
Swapping limits and changing 's' for '-s' gives
g\left ( s \right )=-f\left ( -s \right )+ 2\mu e^{\mu s}\int_{-s}^{\infty }f\left ( {s}' \right )e^{\mu {s}'}d{s}'
This is giving a sign swap in the final solutioin that is having my head spin. Can't see the route of this. Can anyone spot the mistake?
 
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Swapping \int_{-s}^\infty ds' for \int_{-\infty}^s ds' is equivalent to making the substitution u= -s'. Then du= -ds'. When s'= -\infty, u= \infty and when s'= s, u= -s.

So \int_{-s}^\infty f(-s')e^{-\mu s'}ds'= \int_u^{-\infty}f(u)e^{\mu u}(-du)= \int_{-\infty}^u f(u)e^{\mu u}du
 

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