2nd order differential equation

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the solution of a second-order differential equation of the form 2 d²y/dt² + dy/dt + 10y = 3sin(9t) - 8e^(-2t) - 7, focusing on the methods for finding particular solutions and the overall approach to solving such equations. The discussion includes both theoretical aspects and practical steps for solving the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to handle the non-standard terms on the right side of the equation, particularly -8e^(-2t) and -7.
  • One participant suggests that a particular solution is needed for each additive term in the right-hand side (RHS) of the equation.
  • Another participant proposes using the method of undetermined coefficients (UC) to find particular solutions for each term in the RHS, indicating specific forms to guess for each term.
  • There is a clarification regarding the homogeneous solution, with participants discussing the characteristic equation derived from the homogeneous part of the differential equation.
  • Some participants note that the linear nature of the equation allows for treating each term separately before combining the solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to find particular solutions for each term in the RHS, but there is some confusion and lack of consensus on the best approach to take and the interpretation of certain terms.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the specific forms of the particular solutions and the handling of the initial conditions provided. Some assumptions about the methods and terms are not fully articulated, leading to varying interpretations among participants.

howsaboutno
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Hi i need some help with solving this equation2 d2y/dt2 + dy/dt +10y = 3sin(9t) - 8e-2t - 7

when y=0 dy/dx = 10 t=0

The bit i am not sure about is the -8e-2t - 7 bit on the right side because i only know how to deal with 2nd order differential equations when they are of the form a d2y/dt2 +b dy/dx +cy = r(t).

any help would be much appreciated.
 
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Hi howsaboutno! :smile:
howsaboutno said:
2 d2y/dt2 + dy/dt +10y = 3sin(9t) - 8e-2t - 7

when y=0 dy/dx = 10 t=0

i only know how to deal with 2nd order differential equations when they are of the form a d2y/dt2 +b dy/dx +cy = r(t).

(i assume you mean d2y/dt2 +b dy/dt +cy = r(t))

Not following you :confused: … it is of that form, isn't it?
 
You need one particular solution for each additive term in the RHS. The homogeneous solution works the same. The general solution is the homogeneous solution plus one particular solution for each of these additive terms.
 
i don't understand what you mean csprof. and tiny tim yes it is in that form but I am still stuck.
 
howsaboutno said:
… and tiny tim yes it is in that form but I am still stuck.

For 8e-2t, the normal thing to try would be e-2t times a polynomial in t. :smile:
 
This is not a HW forum, so I assume that you want to see this problem worked out. It hasn't been moved, so I'll just do it.

Start with the homogeneous solution.

2y'' + y' + 10y = 0

2s^2 + s + 10 = 0
s = [-1 +- sqrt(1 - 80)] / 4

Call these s1, s2. So we have
y_h = A*exp(s1*t) + B*exp(s2*t)

So far, so good... yes?

Next, we do each term in the RHS one at a time, looking for particular solutions. We'll use the method of UC. So...

for 3sin(9t) we guess y_p1 = C*sin(9*t) + D*cos(9*t)
Work out: y_p1' and y_p1'' and plug into the original ODE. Solve for C, D. Now you have one particular solution.

for -8*exp(-2*t) we guess y_p2 = E*exp(-2*t).
Work out: y_p2' and y_p2'' and plug into the original ODE. Solve for E. Now you have another particular solution.

for 7 we guess y_p3 = F.
Work out: y_p3'' and y_p3' and plug into the original ODE. Solve for F. Now you have the third and final particular solution.

The answer to the problem is:

y_general = y_homogenous + y_p1 + y_p2 + y_p3
 
thanks csprof although i did know what you meant just after i posted my previous comment.:-p was just the homogeneous phrase that got me a little confused.
 
The nice thing about linear equations (and why they are so much easier than non-linear equations) is that you can do "pieces" separately, then put them back together to get the whole solution. You can do this thinking of the right hand side as [math]3sin(9t) - 8e^{-2t} - 7[/math], using a yp of [math]Asin(9t)+ Bcos(9t)+ Ce^{-2t}+ D[/math] or looking at the three parts separately- 3sin(9t) with yp= Asin(9t)+ Bcos(t)- [math]-8e^{-2t}[/math] with [math]yp= Ae^{-2t}[/math- and -7 with yp= A - and then put them together. Either way you will get the same answer.
 

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