Diff eq with constants... Eulers identity...

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The discussion revolves around solving the second-order differential equation y'' + 9y = 0. The user initially derives the general solution as y = c_1e^{3ix} + c_2e^{-3ix} but is confused about the difference from the book's solution, which is y = c_1cos(3x) + c_2sin(3x). The user realizes that their solution is still valid, as the constants c_1 and c_2 can be redefined to match the book's format. A suggestion is made to express the solution in terms of new constants a and b, leading to a clearer representation of the solution. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between complex exponentials and trigonometric functions in differential equations.
Rijad Hadzic
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Homework Statement


Find the general solution of the second order DE.

y'' + 9y = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Problem is straight forward I just don't get why my answer is different than the books.

So you get

m^2 + 9 = 0
m = 3i and m = -3i

so the general solution would be:

c_1e^{3ix} + c_2e^{-3ix} = y

my book gives me

e^{i\theta} = cos(\theta) + isin(\theta)

from there I get

e^{iβx} = cos(βx) + isin(βx)
e^{i-βx} = cos(βx) - isin(βx)

I have

e^{i3x} = cos(3x) + isin(3x)
e^{i-3x} = cos(3x) - isin(3x)

so I get y = c_1cos(3x) + c_1isin(3x) + c_2cos(3x) -c_2isin(3x)

but my book gives me

y = c_1cos(3x) + c_2sin(3x)

I feel like my answer is still valid for some reason.. I just don't know how they got their answer from my answer. I used the correct identity..
 
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Your ##c_1## and ##c_2## are just not the same constants as those of the book.
 
Orodruin said:
Your ##c_1## and ##c_2## are just not the same constants as those of the book.

So I guess that means my answer is still valid then... I just don't get what they used for c1 and c2... did they use i or something? because I notice there is no i term in their answer..
 
Rijad Hadzic said:

Homework Statement


Find the general solution of the second order DE.

y'' + 9y = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Problem is straight forward I just don't get why my answer is different than the books.

So you get

m^2 + 9 = 0
m = 3i and m = -3i

so the general solution would be:

c_1e^{3ix} + c_2e^{-3ix} = y

my book gives me

e^{i\theta} = cos(\theta) + isin(\theta)

from there I get

e^{iβx} = cos(βx) + isin(βx)
e^{i-βx} = cos(βx) - isin(βx)

I have

e^{i3x} = cos(3x) + isin(3x)
e^{i-3x} = cos(3x) - isin(3x)

so I get y = c_1cos(3x) + c_1isin(3x) + c_2cos(3x) -c_2isin(3x)

but my book gives me

y = c_1cos(3x) + c_2sin(3x)

I feel like my answer is still valid for some reason.. I just don't know how they got their answer from my answer. I used the correct identity..

Just write ##a = c_1 + c_2## and ##b = i c_1 - i c_2##. Your solution becomes ##a \cos 3x + b \sin 3x## for two constants ##a## and ##b##.

BTW: when using LaTeX, do NOT write ##cos(\theta)##, etc.; write, instead, ##\cos( \theta)## or ##\cos \theta##, which you get by typing "\cos" instead of "cos", The notation ##cos \theta## looks ugly and is hard to read, but ##\cos \theta## looks good and is clear.
 
Gotcha. Ty everyone!
 
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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