Finding The Solution of A Differential Equation

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the first-order linear differential equation y' + 3y = t + exp(2t). Participants are comparing their solutions to the textbook's answer and exploring the differences in their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants share their solutions and question why their results differ from the textbook. They discuss the integration process and the role of the integrating factor, μ(t), in the solution.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the solutions presented, with some participants affirming their results and others suggesting potential errors in the integration process. The conversation indicates a productive exploration of the problem without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of textbook methods and are considering the implications of constants in their solutions, particularly in relation to initial value problems.

Bashyboy
Messages
1,419
Reaction score
5

Homework Statement


y' + 3y = t + exp(2t)

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


My solution is y = t/3 + exp(-2t) -1/9 + c. The solution in the back of the book is y = cexp(-3t) + (t/3) - (1/9) + exp(-2t). How come the two solutions differ so vastly? I followed the procedure outlined in the textbook precisely.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Bashyboy said:

Homework Statement


y' + 3y = t + exp(2t)

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


My solution is y = t/3 + exp(-2t) -1/9 + c. The solution in the back of the book is y = cexp(-3t) + (t/3) - (1/9) + exp(-2t).

The solution I'm getting is :

##y(t) = \frac{c}{e^{3 t}} + \frac{t}{3} + \frac{e^{2 t}}{5} - \frac{1}{9}##

You should check your work over again I think. You may have made a slight error.
 
Last edited:
I got the exact same answer. I attached my work as a file. According to my textbook, the solution to this sort of differential equation is:

[itex]y = \frac{1}{\mu (t)} \int \mu (t) g(t) dt + c[/itex], where [itex]\mu (t) = e^{\int p(t)dt}[/itex]
 

Attachments

  • DE.jpg
    DE.jpg
    14 KB · Views: 450
Bashyboy said:
I got the exact same answer. I attached my work as a file. According to my textbook, the solution to this sort of differential equation is:

[itex]y = \frac{1}{\mu (t)} \int \mu (t) g(t) dt + c[/itex], where [itex]\mu (t) = e^{\int p(t)dt}[/itex]

Yes your book is 100% correct ( Barring I'd leave constants all the way until the end ), but don't neglect the ##e^{3t}## in the denominator. It will vary the value of ##c## if you're ever given an initial value problem.
 
Last edited:
Oh, I see. So exp(-3t) would multiply the c, after I did the integration.
 
Bashyboy said:
Oh, I see. So exp(-3t) would multiply the c, after I did the integration.

It will divide it actually. After evaluating the integrals I got this :

##e^{3t}y(t) = e^{3t} ( \frac{e^{2t}}{5} + \frac{t}{3} - \frac{1}{9} ) + c##
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K