-29.1 Find a general solution to the system of DE

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a general solution to a system of differential equations involving two functions, \(y_1\) and \(y_2\). The participants explore methods for solving the system, including the use of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and the separation of variables in the context of differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the system of differential equations and expresses uncertainty about how to proceed with finding a solution.
  • Another participant suggests solving the homogeneous part of the system first and hints at determining the eigenvalues of the associated matrix.
  • A later reply provides the eigenvalues of the matrix as \( \lambda = 5 \) and \( \lambda = 1 \), but questions whether eigenvectors are necessary.
  • Subsequent posts clarify the need for eigenvectors corresponding to the eigenvalues, detailing the process to find them and their significance in diagonalizing the matrix.
  • Participants discuss the transformation of the system into a diagonal form and the implications for solving the differential equations, including the general solutions derived for each variable.
  • One participant expresses appreciation for the assistance provided, indicating that the explanations were helpful.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no explicit consensus on the necessity of certain steps in the solution process, such as the requirement for eigenvectors. The discussion includes varying levels of understanding and interpretation of the solution methods.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about terminology and the completeness of their mathematical expressions, indicating potential gaps in understanding or presentation of the solution process.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals studying differential equations, particularly those interested in systems of equations and methods for solving them, may find this discussion beneficial.

karush
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Find a general solution to the system of differential equations
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
y'_1&=2y_1+3y_2+5x\\
y'_2&=y_1+4y_2+10
\end{align*}
rewrite as

$$Y'=\left[\begin{array}{c}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{array}\right]Y
+\left[\begin{array}{c}5x\\ 10\end{array}\right]$$

ok not sure what to do with this
 
Last edited:
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karush said:
Find a general solution to the system of differential equations
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
y'_1&=2y_1+3y_2+5x\\
y'_2&=y_1+4y_2+10
\end{align*}
rewrite as

$$Y'=\left[\begin{array}{c}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{array}\right]Y
+\left[\begin{array}{c}5x\\ 10\end{array}\right]$$

ok not sure what to do with this
Just like as a single differential equation, solve this first. (I don't know the correct terminology here, but I would call this the homogeneous solution.)
[math]\left ( \begin{matrix} y_1 \\ y_2 \end{matrix} \right ) ^{\prime} = \left [ \begin{matrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{matrix} \right ] ~ \left ( \begin{matrix} y_ 1 \\ y_2 \end{matrix} \right )[/math]

Big hint: What are the eigenvalues of the matrix?

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Just like as a single differential equation, solve this first. (I don't know the correct terminology here, but I would call this the homogeneous solution.)
[math]\left ( \begin{matrix} y_1 \\ y_2 \end{matrix} \right ) ^{\prime} = \left [ \begin{matrix} 2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{matrix} \right ] ~ \left ( \begin{matrix} y_ 1 \\ y_2 \end{matrix} \right )[/math]

Big hint: What are the eigenvalues of the matrix?

-Dan
$\left[\begin{array}{c}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4 \end{array}\right]$
$\left| \begin{array}{cc} - \lambda + 2 & 3 \\1 & - \lambda + 4 \end{array} \right|
=\left(- \lambda + 2\right) \left(- \lambda + 4\right) - 3
=\lambda^2-6\lambda+8-3
=(\lambda-5)(\lambda-1)=0$
so the zeros are
$\lambda = 5,1$
well so far
ok I quess we don't need the eiganvectors?
 
Last edited:
Yes, you do need the eigenvectors. An eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalue 1 satisifies \begin{bmatrix}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \end{bmatrix}which is equivalent to the two equations 2x+3y= x and x+ 4y= y. Those are both equivalent to x+ 3y= 0 or x= -3y. All eigenvectors corresponding to eigenvalue 1 are of the form \begin{bmatrix}-3y \\ y \end{bmatrix}. Taking y= 1 an eigenvector is \begin{bmatrix}-3 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}.<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">An eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalue 5 satisifies \begin{bmatrix}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}5x \\ 5y \end{bmatrix}which is equivalent to the two equations 2x+3y= 5x and x+ 4y= 5y. Those are both equivalent to x= y. All eigenvectors corresponding to eigenvalue 5 are of the form \begin{bmatrix} y\\ y \end{bmatrix}. Taking y= 1 an eigenvector is \begin{bmatrix}1 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}.<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">And the reason we need the eigenvectors is this: Let M be the matrix having those eigenvectors as columns: M= \begin{bmatrix}-3 & 1 \\ 1 & 1 \end{bmatrix} and M^{-1}= \begin{bmatrix}-\frac{1}{4} & \frac{1}{4} \\ \\frac{1}{4} & \frac{3}{4}\end{bmatrix}.<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">Then \begin{bmatrix}-\frac{1}{4} & \frac{1}{4} \\ \frac{1}{4} & \frac{3}{4}\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}2 & 3 \\ 1 & 4\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}-\frac{1}{4} & \frac{1}{4} \\ \\frac{1}{4} & \frac{3}{4}\end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}1 & 0 \\ 0 & 5\end{bmatrix}, the diagonal matrix having the eigenvalues of the original matrix on the diagonal. (Any n by n matrix having n independent eigenvectors can be "diagonalized" that way.)<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">To use that, think of the general differential equation Y'= AY+ B, such that M^{-1}AM= D with D the diagonal matrix having the eigenvalues of A on the diagonal and M the matrix with the eigenvectors of A as columns. Let U= M^{-1}Y so that Y= MU. Since M is a constant matrix we can write the equation as (MU)'= MU'= AMU. Multiply by M^{-1}: U'= M^{-1}AMU= DU. Since D is a diagonal matrix that separates into separate equations: M^{-1}Y'= M^{-1}AMY+ M^{-1}B[/itex[ or U'= DY+ M^{-1}B.<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">In our case, the matrix equation becomes U'= \begin{bmatrix}u' \\ v' \end{bmatix}= \begin{bmatrix}1 & 0 \\ 0 & 5 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}u \\ v \end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}u \\ 5v\end{bmatrix}+ \begin{bmatrix}-\frac{5x}{4}+ \frac{5}{2} \\ \frac{25x}{4}+ \frac{75}{4}\end{bmatrix}.<br /> <span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">That separates into the equations u'= u- \frac{5x}{4}+ \frac{5}{2} which has general solution u(x)= C_1e^{x}- \frac{5x}{4}- \frac{15}{4} and v'= 5v+ \frac{25x}{4}+ \frac{75}{4} which has general solution v(x)= C_2e^{5x}-\frac{5x}{4}+ 4. So U= \begin{bmatrix}C_1e^x- \frac{5x}{4}-\frac{15}{4} \\ C_2e^{5x}- \frac{5x}{4}+ 4\end{bmatrix}. Since U= M^{-1}Y, Y= MU= \begin{bmatrix}-3C_1e^x+ C_2e^{5x}+ \frac{15x}{2}+ 4 \\ C_1e^x+ C_2e^{5x}- \frac{5x}{2}+ \frac{1}{4}<br /> (modulo any arithmetic errors!)</span></span></span></span></span></span>
 
wow, that was a really a great help...

not sure why the latex didn't render completely
 

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