Diff. Eq. : Undetermined Coefficents

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The discussion focuses on solving two differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients. For the first equation, y"+4y=3sin(2t), the initial guesses of y=A[tsin(2t)]+B[tcos(2t)] and y=A[t^2(sin(2t)]+B[t^2(cos(2t)]+C[tsin(2t)]+D[tcos(2t)] were incorrect, with the correct solution involving a combination of sine and cosine terms. The second equation, y"-y'-2y=(e^t+e^(-t))/2, was approached with the guess Ae^t+Bte^(-t), leading to incorrect coefficients for A and B. The correct complementary solutions for both ODEs were provided, highlighting the need for proper initial guesses in undetermined coefficients. Understanding the fundamental solutions is crucial for accurately solving these differential equations.
NINHARDCOREFAN
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I have 2 problems that I'm not getting the right answer to:

y"+4y=3sin(2t)

I chose my guess to be: y=A[tsin(2t)]+B[tcos2t]
with this guess I'm getting only part of the answer right

I also tred this guess: y= A[t^2(sin(2t)]+ B[t^2(cos(2t)] + C[tsin(2t)]+D[tcos2t]

I got the same answer as above + some other weird answers


y"-y'-2y=(e^t+e^(-t))/2

I made this guess: Ae^t+Bte^(-t)

I got my answer as -2A=1/2 and -3B=1/2

However these were also wrong. Anything wrong with the guesses?
 
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What were the fundamental (complimentary) set of solutions for each ODE?
 
Answers...

The first one: Asin(2t)+Bcos(2t)-(1/8)sin(2t)-(3/4)tcost(2t)
The second one : Ae^-t+Be^-2t+(1/6)te^(2t)+(1/8)e^(-2t)
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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