Differential Equation - Determining frequency of beats/rapid oscillations

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a differential equation of the form y'' + 6y = 2cos3t, focusing on determining the frequency of beats and rapid oscillations. Participants are exploring the characteristics of the solutions to this equation, particularly in the context of oscillatory behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the characteristic equation of the homogeneous part and its solutions, leading to a general solution that combines homogeneous and particular solutions. Questions arise regarding the interaction between these solutions and the identification of beat frequencies and rapid oscillations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the general solution and the nature of the oscillations, while others express uncertainty about the initial steps. There is an ongoing exploration of how to derive the frequencies from the given equation, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note confusion regarding the variable 'B' in the context of the problem statement, clarifying that it refers to the Greek uppercase Beta, which is defined as Beta = sqrt{6} in this case. This highlights a potential misunderstanding of notation that may affect the discussion.

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Homework Statement



y'' + 6y = 2cos3t

a)Determine frequency of the beats
b)Determine frequency of the rapid oscillations
c)Use the information from parts a) and b) to give a rough sketch of a typical solution

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Not sure how to do the first 2 parts. I know the natural period is [tex]\frac{2 \pi}{B}[/tex] and natural frequency is [tex]\frac{B}{2 \pi}[/tex]
 
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The characteristic equation of the homogeneous equation is r2 + 6 = 0, so its solutions are r = +/- i[itex]\sqrt{6}[/itex]. This means that
[tex]y_h = Ae^{i\sqrt{6}t} + Be^{-i\sqrt{6}t}[/tex]
It's more convenient to write a different linear combination of these to get
[tex]y_h = c_1cos(\sqrt{6}t) + c_2sin(\sqrt{6}t)[/tex]

For the nonhomogeneous equation, look for a solution yp = Acos(3t) + Bsin(3t).

The general solution will be yh + yp.

For a, you'll have to figure out how the functions in the homogeneous solution interact with what I'm pretty sure will be the one particular solution function, and how often the waves of the two periodic parts reinforce each other (the beats).

For b, you need to find the rapid oscillation frequency. You have in essence a long wave (low frequency) imposed on a short wave (high frequency).

Hope that helps. It's getting late where I am, so I'm going to turn in.
 
cse63146 said:

Homework Statement



y'' + 6y = 2cos3t

a)Determine frequency of the beats
b)Determine frequency of the rapid oscillations
c)Use the information from parts a) and b) to give a rough sketch of a typical solution

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Not sure how to do the first 2 parts. I know the natural period is [tex]\frac{2 \pi}{B}[/tex] and natural frequency is [tex]\frac{B}{2 \pi}[/tex]
Since there is no "B" in the statement of your problem, that makes no sense! Mark44 has already pointed out that the general solution to the associated homogeneous equation is [itex]A cos(\sqrt{6}t)+ B sin(\sqrt{6}t)[/itex]. That tells you that the natural period is [itex]2\pi/\sqrt{6}[/itex].

Trig identity: cos(s+ t)= cos(s)cos(t)- sin(s)sin(t) so if you have a formula of the form Acos(2\pi t/\sqrt{6})+ Bcos(3t) you can write that, by careful manipulation of A and B, as [itex]cos((2\pi/\sqrt{6}+ 3)t)[/itex].
 
It's not a B. It's supposed to be the greek uppercase Beta.

as in - [itex]A cos(Bt)+ B sin(Bt)[/itex]. It's how my textbook/prof write it.

In this case B (Beta) = [itex]\sqrt{6}[/itex]
 

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