-b.1.3.19 Determine the values of r for t^2y''+4ty'+2y = 0

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The discussion focuses on determining the values of \( r \) for which the differential equations \( t^2y'' + 4ty' + 2y = 0 \) and \( t^2y'' - 4ty' + 4y = 0 \) have solutions of the form \( y = t^r \) for \( t > 0 \). The solutions are \( r = -1, -2 \) for the first equation and \( r = 1, 4 \) for the second. The participants provide step-by-step derivations using the method of substitution and simplification of the resulting characteristic equations.

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karush
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$\textsf{Determine the values of $r$ for which the given differential equation has solutions of the form
$ y = t^r$
for
$t > 0 $}$
$t^2y''+4ty'+2y = 0$
$\color{red}{r=-1,-2}$
$t^2y''-4ty'+4y=0$
$\color{red}{r=1,4}$
ok the book answers are in red, and obviously this is from a factored quadradic but I couldn't an example of the steps.
probably just a couple!
 
Last edited:
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karush said:
$\textsf{Determine the values of $r$ for which the given differential equation has solutions of the form
$ y = t^r$
for
$t > 0 $}$
$t^2y''+4ty'+2y = 0$
$\color{red}{r=-1,-2}$
$t^2y''-4ty'+4y=0$
$\color{red}{r=1,4}$
ok the book answers are in red, and obviously this is from a factored quadradic but I couldn't an example of the steps.
probably just a couple!

Okay, if we are to consider a solution of the form:

$$y=t^r$$

Then:

$$y'=rt^{r-1}$$

$$y''=r(r-1)t^{r-2}$$

And thus the ODE becomes:

$$t^2r(r-1)t^{r-2}+4trt^{r-1}+2t^r=0$$

Or:

$$r(r-1)t^{r}+4rt^{r}+2t^r=0$$

$$t^r\left(r(r-1)+4r+2\right)=0$$

Now, if we exclude the trivial solution \(y\equiv0\) this leaves:

$$r(r-1)+4r+2=0$$

$$r^2+3r+2=0$$

$$(r+1)(r+2)=0$$

Thus:

$$r\in\{-2,-1\}$$

Can you do the second one?
 
given
$t^2y''-4ty'+4y=0$
let
$\displaystyle y=t^r, \quad y''=r(r-1)t^{r-2}, \quad y''=r(r-1)t^{r-2}$
then
$t^2(r(r-1)t^{r-2}-4rt^{r-1}+4t^r=0$
simplify
$(r(r-1)t^r-4rt^{r-1}+4t^r=r(r-1)-4r+4=r^2-5r+4=0$
factor
(r-1)(r-4)=0
thus
$r\in{1,4}$typos maybe
 
There are some typos/issues with your work. See if you can spot them...:)
 
$\displaystyle y=t^r, \quad y'=rt^{r-1}, \quad y''=r(r-1)t^{r-2}$
then
$t^2(r(r-1)t^{r-2})-4t(rt^{r-1})+4(t^r)=0$
then simplify
$(r - 4) (r - 1) t^r=0$
so $r\in\{1,4\}$
a few minor adjustments
 
Last edited:

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