Finding The Solution of A Differential Equation

1. Sep 2, 2013

Bashyboy

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
y' + 3y = t + exp(2t)

2. Relevant equations

3. 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: Sep 2, 2013
2. Sep 2, 2013

Zondrina

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: Sep 2, 2013
3. Sep 2, 2013

Bashyboy

I got the exact same answer. I attached my work as a file. According to my text book, the solution to this sort of differential equation is:

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

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4. Sep 2, 2013

Zondrina

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: Sep 2, 2013
5. Sep 2, 2013

Bashyboy

Oh, I see. So exp(-3t) would multiply the c, after I did the integration.

6. Sep 2, 2013

Zondrina

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

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