2nd ODE constant coeff, quick question

  • Thread starter Thread starter rock.freak667
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Constant Ode
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
Messages
6,221
Reaction score
31

Homework Statement


Solve:
[tex]\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+\frac{dy}{dx}=3x^2+2x+1[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Well the C.F. is [itex]y=C_1e^{-x}[/itex]
the P.I. is of the form [itex]y_{PI}=Ax^3+Bx^2+Cx+D[/itex]

I can find the values of A,B and C bu differentiating it and substituting it into the equation. But How would I find D since there is no 'y' in the ODE given and differentiating [itex]y_{PI}[/itex] makes the constant disappear.
(Note: I can find the answer by integrating it w.r.t x and then using the integrating factor but I would like to know how to find it by adding the PI and CF together)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
rock.freak667 said:

Homework Statement


Solve:
[tex]\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+\frac{dy}{dx}=3x^2+2x+1[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Well the C.F. is [itex]y=C_1e^{-x}[/itex]
the P.I. is of the form [itex]y_{PI}=Ax^3+Bx^2+Cx+D[/itex]

I can find the values of A,B and C bu differentiating it and substituting it into the equation. But How would I find D since there is no 'y' in the ODE given and differentiating [itex]y_{PI}[/itex] makes the constant disappear.



(Note: I can find the answer by integrating it w.r.t x and then using the integrating factor but I would like to know how to find it by adding the PI and CF together)

The D is redundant since one of the solutions to the natural equation is a constant function.

Therefor the constant function is determined by the initial conditions rather then the forcing function.