- #1
savvvvvvvvvvy
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Hey,
I'm currently reading a textbook which is attempting to derive the equation for a standing wave from first principles. I understand most steps with the exception of one.
It derives a sinusoidal function {x = A \sin \omega t} from a second order ODE, but then immediately interchanges this to {exp{\pm i \omega t}}. Presumably the \pm indicates that there are two solutions, both of which may take the {cos \theta \pm i sin \theta} form from Euler's formula.
My question is how is this format compatible with a single sinusoidal function {x = A \sin \omega t}. No matter how I manipulate it, I always end up with the sum of a sine and cosine, and the sine generally comes out to be imaginary. I imagine there's some simple feature that I'm overlooking, but can't really see it at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I'm currently reading a textbook which is attempting to derive the equation for a standing wave from first principles. I understand most steps with the exception of one.
It derives a sinusoidal function {x = A \sin \omega t} from a second order ODE, but then immediately interchanges this to {exp{\pm i \omega t}}. Presumably the \pm indicates that there are two solutions, both of which may take the {cos \theta \pm i sin \theta} form from Euler's formula.
My question is how is this format compatible with a single sinusoidal function {x = A \sin \omega t}. No matter how I manipulate it, I always end up with the sum of a sine and cosine, and the sine generally comes out to be imaginary. I imagine there's some simple feature that I'm overlooking, but can't really see it at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated!