Elimination of arbitrary constants.

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    Constants Elimination
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the elimination of arbitrary constants from mathematical expressions, specifically focusing on two problems involving derivatives and second-order differential equations. Participants explore methods to eliminate constants from trigonometric and polynomial terms in the context of physics and mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the equation $x=B \cos(\omega + \alpha)$ and seeks help in eliminating the constants $B$ and $\alpha$ through differentiation.
  • Another participant suggests substituting expressions derived from the derivatives into the original equation to eliminate the constants.
  • There is a proposal to combine the second derivative and the original equation to form a new equation, leading to the expression $\frac{d^2x}{dt^2} + \omega^2 x = 0$.
  • In the second problem, participants discuss the equation $y = c_1 \sin(x) + c_2 \cos(x) + x^2$ and derive its first and second derivatives, aiming to eliminate $c_1$ and $c_2$.
  • One participant identifies a relationship between the second derivative and the original function, suggesting a possible reformulation of the equation.
  • Another participant confirms the correctness of a derived expression and encourages further exploration of the second problem.
  • There are multiple iterations of deriving and substituting expressions to eliminate constants, with participants refining their approaches and correcting each other’s work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the methods for eliminating constants through differentiation and substitution, but there are variations in the specific steps and formulations presented. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the final forms of the equations derived from the second problem.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the derivations are not fully resolved, and there are dependencies on the definitions of the constants and variables involved. The discussion reflects an iterative process of refinement and correction without reaching a definitive conclusion on the final forms of the equations.

bergausstein
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1. eliminate B and $\alpha$ from the relation

$\displaystyle x=B cos(\omega+\alpha)$

in which $\omega$ is a parameter(not to be eliminated).

I first took the two derivatives of x with respect to t:

$\displaystyle \frac{dx}{dt}=-\omega B\sin(\omega+\alpha)$

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=-{\omega}^2 B\cos(\omega+\alpha)$

2.) Eliminate $c_1$ and $c_2$ from the relation

$\displaystyle y={c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)+x^2$can you help me what to do next? I just don't understand how my book explained the steps because it's brief. please show me the steps on eliminating the constants.
 
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Let's look at the first problem. I believe what you are given is:

$$x=\beta\cos(\omega t+\alpha)$$

and you will find:

$$\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=-\beta\omega^2\cos(\omega t+\alpha)$$

Now, can you see how to replace part of the right side using the original equation, effectively eliminating the parameters $\beta$ and $\alpha$?
 
this is what I tried I add the two eqn.

the result is,

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+x+w^2=0$ is this correct?
 
Last edited:
What I have in mind is the following:

$$\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=-\beta\omega^2\cos(\omega t+\alpha)=-\omega^2\left(\beta\cos(\omega t+\alpha) \right)$$

Now, using the first equation, can you see that you may substitute for the expression $$\beta\cos(\omega t+\alpha)$$?
 
now I get it, substituting x for $\beta\cos(\omega t+\alpha)$ in the second eqn.

I have,

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=-{\omega}^2 x$

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+w^2x=0$
 
bergausstein said:
now I get it, substituting x for $\beta\cos(\omega t+\alpha)$ in the second eqn.

I have,

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=-{\omega}^2 x$

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2x}{dt^2}+w^2x=0$

Yes, good work! Now the second problem is worked very similarly. Can you give it a try?
 
Since the second prob has two constants, I assume that it is a solution to a 2nd order DE

$\displaystyle y={c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)+x^2$ ---a

I'll take the derivative twice,

$\displaystyle y'={c_1}\cos(x)-{c_2}\sin(x)+2x$----b

$\displaystyle y''=-{c_1}\sin(x)-{c_2}\cos(x)+2$----c

I noticed that from c

$\displaystyle y''=-\left({c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)\right)+2$

which can also be written as

$\displaystyle y''=x^2-y+2$ is this correct?
 
Last edited:
bergausstein said:
Since the second prob has two constants, I assume that it is a solution to a 2nd order DE

$\displaystyle y={c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)+x^2$ ---a

I'll take the derivative twice,

$\displaystyle y'={c_1}\cos(x)-{c_2}\sin(x)+2x$----b

$\displaystyle y''=-{c_1}\sin(x)-{c_2}\cos(x)+2$----c

I noticed that from c

$\displaystyle y''=-\left({c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)\right)+2$

which can also be written as

$\displaystyle y''-y-2=0$ is this correct?

That's almost correct. Let's go back to here:

$$y''=-\left(c_1\sin(x)+c_2\cos(x)\right)+2$$

Now, the original equation let's us write:

$$c_1\sin(x)+c_2\cos(x)=y-x^2$$

Now, continue...:D

edit: your edit of your post is correct, although the 2nd order ODE would traditionally be written as:

$$y''+y=x^2+2$$
 
Edited

Since the second prob has two constants, I assume that it is a solution to a 2nd order DE

$\displaystyle y={c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)+x^2$ ---a

I'll take the derivative twice,

$\displaystyle y'={c_1}\cos(x)-{c_2}\sin(x)+2x$----b

$\displaystyle y''=-{c_1}\sin(x)-{c_2}\cos(x)+2$----c

I noticed that from c

$\displaystyle y''=-\left({c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)\right)+2$

which can also be written as

$\displaystyle {c_1}\sin(x)+{c_2}\cos(x)=2-y''$ -----d

substituting d to a I have,

$y=2-y''+x^2$ or $y''=x^2-y+2$ edited
 

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