Differential Equations-Method of Undetermined Coefficients

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving differential equations using the method of undetermined coefficients, specifically focusing on the forms of the homogeneous solutions based on the nature of the roots derived from the auxiliary equation. The original poster references a previous problem to illustrate their approach to a new equation involving a second-order linear differential equation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the properties of the roots from two different differential equations and questions the reasoning behind using hyperbolic functions versus trigonometric functions based on the nature of the roots (real vs. complex).

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the distinctions between different cases of the auxiliary equation's discriminant and how it influences the form of the homogeneous solution. Some guidance has been provided regarding the forms of solutions based on the discriminant, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's understanding of the concepts.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of constraints related to the original poster's educational context, including a lack of derivation of the three cases by their professor, which may impact their understanding of the material.

cookiemnstr510510
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Homework Statement
Find the particular solution
y''-y'+9y=3sin3t
My question is related to this and the homogeneous sol'n and the general sol'n
Relevant Equations
possibly
[r=+-a]-->cosh(ax),sinh(ax)
or
[r=+-bi]-->cos(bx),sin(bx)
So to answer my question I need to reference another problem, I hope i won't get flagged for this... it is only to make a point about the way I am trying to approach this current problem.
the previous problem stated:
y''+2y'-y=10
so first I am finding Y_(homogeneous) and going straight to the auxiliary equation:
after completing the square→(r+1)^2=2→r=-1±√2 [since when r=±a, we get cosh(ax) and sinh(ax), the solution becomes...]
Y_(H)=e^((-1±√2)t) →e^(-t)⋅e^((±√2)t)→e^-t[C1cosh((√2)t)+C2sinh((√2)t)] etc. etc.

My question: with the current problem y''-y'+9y=3sin3t, when finding the homogeneous equation(solution?) after finding my r values which I will show now:
Aux: r^2-r+9=0 and solving for r I get: r=(1/2)±(√-35)/2 using this to find the homogeneous equation (shown 3 lines up with the other problem) am I using the same property of r, which is when r=±a we get cosh(ax) and sinh(ax)? or am I using the property that says when r=±√-# we get ±i out of it?

Sorry if this question is confusing, I tried to explain my logic as much as possible.
I see similarities in both r equations:
r=-1±√2 I know you use cosh and sinh with this one?
r=(1/2)±(√-35)/2 If i don't use cosh and sinh with this one why not?

I've been looking at my textbook, the internet, and my notes and cannot why you would get "i" for some r's and cosh and sinh for others.

Thanks!
 
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it is desired to solve
$$(a D^2+b D+c)y=f(t)$$
we complete the square
$$\frac{1}{4a}[ 4a^2 D^2+4a b D+b^2-b^2+4a c ]y= f(t)$$
$$\frac{1}{4a}[ (2a D+b)^2-(b^2-4a c)]y= f(t)$$
the homogeneous solution will have one of three forms
if b^2-4a c=0
$$y_H=C_1+C_2 t$$
if b^2-4a c<0
$$y_H=\left[ C_1 \cos\left(\frac{\sqrt{4a c-b^2}}{2a}\, t\right)+C_2 \sin\left(\frac{\sqrt{4a c-b^2}}{2a}\, t\right) \right]\exp\left(-\frac{b}{2a}\right)$$
if b^2-4a c>0
$$y_H=\left[ C_1 \cosh\left(\frac{\sqrt{b^2-4a c}}{2a}\, t\right)+C_2 \sinh\left(\frac{\sqrt{b^2-4a c}}{2a}\, t\right) \right]\exp\left(-\frac{b}{2a}\right)$$
 
Last edited:
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You’re making this very complicated. Did your professor not derive the three cases for you?
 
alan2 said:
You’re making this very complicated. Did your professor not derive the three cases for you?
no, unfortunately not
 
lurflurf said:
it is desired to solve
$$(a D^2+b D+c)y=f(t)$$
we complete the square
$$\frac{1}{4a}[ 4a^2 D^2+4a b D+b^2-b^2+4a c ]y= f(t)$$
$$\frac{1}{4a}[ (2a D+b)^2-(b^2-4a c)]y= f(t)$$
the homogeneous solution will have one of three forms
if b^2-4a c=0
$$y_H=C_1+C_2 t$$
if b^2-4a c<0
$$y_H=[ C_1 \cos(\sqrt{4a c-b^2}\, t)+C_2 \sin(\sqrt{4a c-b^2}\, t) ]\exp\left(-\frac{b}{2a}\right)$$
if b^2-4a c>0
$$y_H=[ C_1 \cosh(\sqrt{b^2-4a c}\, t)+C_2 \sinh(\sqrt{b^2-4a c}\, t) ]\exp\left(-\frac{b}{2a}\right)$$
Okay.
And what is your b^2-4ac in the equations representing?
 
The discriminant is formed from the coefficients of the differential equation
ie if we solve
a y''+b y'+c=0
b^2-4ac is found from those numbers
in your examples above
y''-y'+9y
a=1
b=-1
c=9
y''+2y'-y
a=1
b=2
c=-1
 
cookiemnstr510510 said:
no, unfortunately not
Sad. I tried to upload my notes for 2nd order linear homogeneous equations but it says the file is too large. Maybe you can pm me and I can email it?
 
cookiemnstr510510 said:
after completing the square→(r+1)^2=2→r=-1±√2 [since when r=±a, we get cosh(ax) and sinh(ax), the solution becomes...]
Y_(H)=e^((-1±√2)t) →e^(-t)⋅e^((±√2)t)→e^-t[C1cosh((√2)t)+C2sinh((√2)t)] etc. etc.
It wouldn't hurt to work this out in detail. You get two solutions, ##e^{(-1+\sqrt 2)t}## and ##e^{(-1-\sqrt 2)t}##, so the general solution is
\begin{align*}
y_h &= Ae^{(-1+\sqrt 2)t} + Be^{(-1-\sqrt 2)t} \\
&= A e^{-t} e^{\sqrt 2 t} + B e^{-t} e^{-\sqrt 2 t} \\
&= e^{-t} (A e^{\sqrt 2 t} + B e^{-\sqrt 2 t}) \\
&= e^{-t} [\underbrace{(A+B)}_C \cosh \sqrt 2 t +\underbrace{(A-B)}_D \sinh \sqrt 2 t]
\end{align*} Now work out the case where the roots are complex, ##r = \alpha \pm \beta i##, and you'll see you get solutions of the form ##y_h = e^{\alpha t}(A \cos \beta t + B \sin \beta t)##.
 

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