Checking some linear ODE solutions

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Dustinsfl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Linear Ode
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the solutions to linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), specifically focusing on the equations \(y'' + y = e^{it} + e^{3it}\) and \(y'' + 4y = 1 + \sin t + \sin 2t\). Participants explore the correctness of proposed solutions and the methods used to derive them, including the use of particular integrals and the general solution to homogeneous equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the solution \(y = Ae^{it} - \frac{1}{8}e^{3it} - \frac{it}{2}e^{it}\) for the equation \(y'' + y = e^{it} + e^{3it}\) is incorrect due to the absence of two arbitrary constants.
  • Others propose that the correct solution involves a particular integral and challenge the initial solution by suggesting it should include additional terms or constants.
  • A participant explains the method for solving inhomogeneous linear constant coefficient ODEs, emphasizing the need to start with the general solution of the homogeneous equation.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the appearance of certain terms, such as the \( \frac{1}{4} \) in the solution to \(y'' + 4y = 1 + \sin t + \sin 2t\), and question the derivation of these terms.
  • There are multiple expressions for the general solution involving complex exponentials and trigonometric functions, leading to further discussion about the equivalence of these forms.
  • Some participants correct earlier claims about coefficients in the particular solution, suggesting that certain coefficients should be complex or adjusted based on the equations being solved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the proposed solutions. There are competing views on the proper forms of the solutions and the methods used to derive them, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the solutions depend on the definitions of terms and the methods applied, with some expressing uncertainty about the derivation steps and the inclusion of complex coefficients.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in differential equations, particularly those studying methods for solving linear ODEs and the nuances of particular integrals and general solutions.

Dustinsfl
Messages
2,217
Reaction score
5
$y''+y = e^{it}+e^{3it}$

Solution

$y = Ae^{it}-\dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\dfrac{it}{2}e^{it}$

and

$y''+4y=1+\sin t+\sin 2t$

Solution

$y=A\cos 2t + B\sin 2t + \dfrac{1}{4} + \dfrac{1}{3}\sin t - \dfrac{t}{4}\cos 2t$

Correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi dwsmith, :)

dwsmith said:
$y''+y = e^{it}+e^{3it}$

Solution

$y = Ae^{it}-\dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\dfrac{it}{2}e^{it}$
This seem to be incorrect. There should be two arbitrary constants since that is a second order differential equation. The correct solution can be found here.

dwsmith said:
$y''+4y=1+\sin t+\sin 2t$

Solution

$y=A\cos 2t + B\sin 2t + \dfrac{1}{4} + \dfrac{1}{3}\sin t - \dfrac{t}{4}\cos 2t$

Correct?

This seems correct. See this.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
dwsmith said:
$y''+y = e^{it}+e^{3it}$

Solution

$y = Ae^{it}-\dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\dfrac{it}{2}e^{it}$

When you solve inhomogeneous linear constant coefficient ODE's you start with the general solution to the homogeneous equation, which in this case is:

\( y''+y=0\)

You use a trial solution \(y=e^{\lambda t}\) and get the charateristic equation \(\lambda^2+1=0\), which has roots \( \lambda=\pm i\).

So the general solution to the homogeneous equation is \(y=Ae^{it}+Be^{-it}\), and you get the general solution to the inhomogeneous equation by adding a particular integral of the equation to this.

Note this solution could also be expressed in terms of trig functions like your next example.

(Also it would be helpful if you posted the full question/s with the original wording).

CB
 
Online Mathematica says the solution is $y=A\cos t + B\sin t -\dfrac{it}{2}e^{it} + \dfrac{1}{4}e^{it} - \dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}$.

However, I can't obtain it.

So $y_c = Ce^{\pm it} = A\cos t + B\sin t$

If we re-write the problem, we have
$$
y''+y=\cos t + \sin t + e^{3it}
$$
Then the form of $y_p = c_1t\cos t + c_2t\sin t + c_3e^{3it}$

$y''_p=-2c_1\sin t + 2c_2\cos t - c_1t\cos t -c_2t\sin t - 9c_3e^{3it}$

Then
$$
y''+y = -2c_1\sin t +2c_2\cos t -8c_3e^{3it}
$$
So $c_1 = \dfrac{-1}{2}$, $c_2 = \dfrac{1}{2}$, and $c_3 = -\dfrac{1}{8}$

Therefore, $y_p = \dfrac{-t}{2}\cos t + \dfrac{t}{2}\sin t - \dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}$

So
$$
y=y_c+y_p=A\cos t + B\sin t-\dfrac{t}{2}\cos t + \dfrac{t}{2}\sin t - \dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}
$$

So what is going wrong?
 
dwsmith said:
If we re-write the problem, we have
\[y''+y=\cos t + \sin t + e^{3it}\]

Hi dwsmith, :)

This is incorrect. You are missing an \(i\). The correct expression is,

\[y''+y=\cos t + i\sin t + e^{3it}\]

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
dwsmith said:
Online Mathematica says the solution is $y=A\cos t + B\sin t -\dfrac{it}{2}e^{it} + \dfrac{1}{4}e^{it} - \dfrac{1}{8}e^{3it}$.

That is the same thing as:

\[y=Ce^{it}+De^{-it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}=Ee^{it}+De^{-it}+\frac{1}{4}e^{it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

To show this write the first two exponentials on the left in Cartesian form, and remember that the coefficients are arbitrary so (most) any transformation you need applied to them still leave you with arbitrary coefficients (also note that they may be complex).

CB
 
I don't see how the term with the 1/4 appears at all.

Writing the equation as $y''+y = \cos t + i\sin t + e^{3it}$ didn't produce anything promising.

Then $y_p = c_1t\cos t + c_2it\sin t + c_3e^{3it}$ so $y''_p = -2c_1\sin t - c_1t\cos t +2c_2i\cos t - c_2it\sin t -9c_3e^{3it}$.

$y''_p+y_p = 2c_2i\cos t - 2c_1\sin t - 8c_3e^{3it}$

So $c_1 = -1/2$, $c_2 = -i/2$, and $c_3 = -1/8$.

$$
y_p = -1/2t\cos t + 1/2t\sin t -1/8e^{3it}
$$
 
dwsmith said:
I don't see how the term with the 1/4 appears at all.

Writing the equation as $y''+y = \cos t + i\sin t + e^{3it}$ didn't produce anything promising.

Then $y_p = c_1t\cos t + c_2it\sin t + c_3e^{3it}$ so $y''_p = -2c_1\sin t - c_1t\cos t +2c_2i\cos t - c_2it\sin t -9c_3e^{3it}$.

$y''_p+y_p = 2c_2i\cos t - 2c_1\sin t - 8c_3e^{3it}$

So $c_1 = -1/2$, $c_2 = -i/2$, and $c_3 = -1/8$.

$$
y_p = -1/2t\cos t + 1/2t\sin t -1/8e^{3it}
$$

The coefficient \(c_{1}\) is incorrect. It should be, \(c_{1}=-\dfrac{i}{2}\). Then you will get,

\[y_p = -\frac{it}{2}\cos t + \frac{t}{2}\sin t -\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}\]

\[y_p = -\frac{it}{2}e^{it} -\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}\]

The general solution is,

\[y=Ce^{it}+De^{-it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

This can be written as,

\[y=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}\right)e^{it}+De^{-it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

\[\therefore y=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}\right)e^{it}+De^{-it}+\frac{1}{4}e^{it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

Let \(\displaystyle E=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}\right)\). Then,

\[y=Ee^{it}+De^{-it}+\frac{1}{4}e^{it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

Does this clarify your doubts? :)
 
Sudharaka said:
The coefficient \(c_{1}\) is incorrect. It should be, \(c_{1}=-\dfrac{i}{2}\). Then you will get,

\[y_p = -\frac{it}{2}\cos t + \frac{t}{2}\sin t -\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}\]

\[y_p = -\frac{it}{2}e^{it} -\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}\]

The general solution is,

\[y=Ce^{it}+De^{-it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

This can be written as,

\[y=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}+\frac{1}{4}\right)e^{it}+De^{-it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

\[\therefore y=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}\right)e^{it}+De^{-it}+\frac{1}{4}e^{it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

Let \(\displaystyle E=\left(C-\frac{1}{4}\right)\). Then,

\[y=Ee^{it}+De^{-it}+\frac{1}{4}e^{it}-\frac{1}{8}e^{3it}-\frac{it}{2}e^{it}\]

Does this clarify your doubts? :)

So the only thing wrong with my original solution was that it was missing $Be^{-it}$ then. Why didn't you all say that to begin with?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K