2nd order non homogeneous equation

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the general solution to the differential equation y'' + y = -2 Sinx. It is mentioned that the homogeneous solution is yh(x) = C1 Cos(x) + C2 Sin(x), and the attempt at finding the particular solution includes letting y = A Cos(x) + B Sin(x) and substituting it into the equation. It is then noted that the particular solution must be linearly independent of the homogeneous solutions and a suggestion is made to try x\sin x and x\cos x. Finally, the person expresses their appreciation for the help.
  • #1
mitch987
8
0

Homework Statement


y'' + y = -2 Sinx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


finding the homogeneous solution, is simple;
yh(x) = C1 Cos(x) + C2 Sin(x)

for the particular solution,
I let y = A Cos(x) + B Sin(x)
thus, y' = -A Sin(x) + B Cos(x)
y'' = -A Cos(x) - B Sin(x)

substituting these into the differential equation;
-A Cos(x) - B Sin(x) + A Cos(x) + B Sin(x) = -2 Sin(x)
0 = -2 Sin(x)

This is where i get stuck as I'm unable to find any values for A & B and hence, cannot find the particular solution in order to find the general solution y(x) = yh(x) + yp(x)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
 
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  • #2
The particular solution must be linearly independent of the homogeneous solutions. Since those are already [tex]\sin x[/tex] and [tex]\cos x[/tex], you should try [tex]x\sin x[/tex] and [tex]x\cos x[/tex].
 
  • #3
of course! Forgot that the particular solution cannot equal the homogeneous solution.
Thanks for your help.
 

What is a 2nd order non homogeneous equation?

A 2nd order non homogeneous equation is a mathematical equation that contains a second derivative of a dependent variable, as well as a non-zero constant term. It can be written in the form: y'' + p(x)y' + q(x)y = g(x)where y is the dependent variable, x is the independent variable, p(x) and q(x) are continuous functions, and g(x) is a non-zero function.

What is the difference between a 2nd order non homogeneous equation and a 2nd order homogeneous equation?

A 2nd order homogeneous equation does not contain a constant term, while a 2nd order non homogeneous equation does. This means that the solutions to a homogeneous equation will always be in the form of a linear combination of exponential functions, while the solutions to a non homogeneous equation may also include a particular solution in addition to the linear combination.

How do you solve a 2nd order non homogeneous equation?

To solve a 2nd order non homogeneous equation, you can use the method of undetermined coefficients or the method of variation of parameters. In the method of undetermined coefficients, you assume a particular form for the solution and find the coefficients that satisfy the equation. In the method of variation of parameters, you find a particular solution by integrating a combination of the homogeneous solutions with a set of unknown parameters.

What is the significance of the constant term in a 2nd order non homogeneous equation?

The constant term in a 2nd order non homogeneous equation represents the external force or input that affects the dependent variable. It can be thought of as a forcing term that causes the solutions to deviate from the solutions of the corresponding homogeneous equation.

Can a 2nd order non homogeneous equation have non-constant coefficients?

Yes, a 2nd order non homogeneous equation can have non-constant coefficients. This means that the coefficients p(x) and q(x) can be functions of the independent variable x. In this case, the methods for solving the equation may be more complicated, but the general approach remains the same.

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