# Autonomous DE

1. Jan 21, 2005

### Townsend

The problem is

Consider the differential equation $$dy/dt=ay-b$$.
a) Find the equilibrium solution $$y_e$$.
b)Let $$Y(t)=y-y_e$$; thus $$Y(t)$$ is the deviation from the equilbrium solution. Find the differential equation satisfied by $$Y(t)$$.

For part a I am confused as to what is meant by $$y_e$$.
The general solution is
$$y=Ce^{at}+\frac{b}{a}$$
I thought that the equilibrium is just the value that will be approached as t increases without bound. So in this case it depends on the values of a. If a>0 then there is no equilibruim solution. How can I answer part a then?

So without anywhere to go I made the assumption that $$y_e$$ is meant to mean the $$y(e)=y_e$$ in which case I come up with.
$$Ce^{ae}+\frac{b}{a}=y_e$$

So if this in fact the equilibrium solution $$y_e$$ then for part b I have
$$Y(t)=y-y_e$$

$$Y(t)=Ce^{at}+\frac{b}{a}-\left( Ce^{ae}+\frac{b}{a} \right)$$

$$Y(t)=ce^{at}-ce^{ae}$$

Which is really like any our first diff eq but in this case the $$\frac{b}{a}=-ce^{ae}$$ But the constant C makes our value for b/a unknown. Obviously I have something wrong here and I think its because I do not understand what the question is really asking.

Thanks for any help

2. Jan 21, 2005

### dextercioby

This part

is definitely wrong.You made a point.The general solution to the equation
$$y(x)=Ce^{at}-\frac{b}{a}$$

must not diverge for asymptotic behavior...Which means that "a" must be negative...Find the equilibrium solution and then the function expressing the "deviation" from equilibrium...

Daniel.

PS.The diff.eq. will b very simple...

3. Jan 21, 2005

### Townsend

Ok, well if know that a<0 then the equilibruim is going to be $$\frac{b}{a}$$
So then $$Y(t)=Ce^{at}$$
and
$$\frac{dY}{dt}=ay$$

You said the diff.eq. will be b,I am not sure how you got that.

sorry, I am trying to understand.

Thanks

4. Jan 21, 2005

### dextercioby

That "b" was "be"... :tongue2: You got the picture. The diff.eq.may be put under the form which would definitely show the asymptotic behavior,namely make the substitution
$$a\rightarrow -|a|$$

Daniel.