First Order Differential Equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving first-order and second-order differential equations, specifically focusing on the equations x y' - 2y = x + 1 and y'' + 2y' + 3y = 0. Participants are exploring methods to find general solutions and discussing the behavior of solutions in the context of mass-spring systems.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss attempts to solve the first-order differential equation using separation of variables and integrating factors. Some express confusion about the initial steps and the validity of their approaches. Others provide insights on rewriting the equation and suggest using integrating factors.
  • In the second-order differential equation, participants present their solutions and discuss the basis for the vector space of solutions, with some seeking clarification on the concept of basis in this context. Questions arise regarding the behavior of solutions as time approaches infinity and the classification of damping in the mass-spring system.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exchange of ideas, with some participants providing guidance on the use of integrating factors and the interpretation of the second-order equation. Multiple interpretations of the damping behavior are being explored, and while some participants express uncertainty, others offer explanations regarding the characteristics of the solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of explicit equations or definitions in their attempts, which may affect their understanding of the problems. The discussion includes a mix of initial confusion and attempts to clarify concepts related to differential equations and their applications.

tomeatworld
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Homework Statement


Find the general solution for: x y' - 2y = x +1 (x>0)

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


I have literally no idea how to start this. I've tried seperating variables but ended up with:

[tex]\frac{y'-1}{2y+1}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{1}{x}[/tex] but that isn't solvable due to the y'-1 (at least I don't know how if it is). Any help is greatly appreciated!

Edit: Ok, so I've used integrating factors. If you take the integrating factor to be x-2 (i can show how if needed) and then use that, I find:

[tex]\frac{d}{dx}(x^{-2}y) = x^{-2}+ x^{-3}[/tex] so the equation integrates to:

[tex]y = cx^{2}-x-\frac{1}{2}[/tex] does that seem about right? We have disagreement in our group :/
 
Last edited:
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tomeatworld said:

Homework Statement


Find the general solution for: x y' - 2y = x +1 (x>0)

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


I have literally no idea how to start this. I've tried seperating variables but ended up with:

[tex]\frac{y'-1}{2y+1}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{1}{x}[/tex] but that isn't solvable due to the y'-1 (at least I don't know how if it is). Any help is greatly appreciated!
An integrating factor will work.

Rewrite the DE as y' - (2/x)y = 1 + 1/x

The integrating factor is
[tex]e^{\int \frac{-2}{x}dx}[/tex]
 
Thanks! Just edited above the work I managed with that! Does that seem right?

Ok, rather than start a new thread (which I can do if it would be easier), I thought I'd put in the new question I have here:

Homework Statement


i) Find the general solution for y'' + 2y' + 3y =0
ii) Give the basis for the vector space of all solutions of this equation.
iii) Describe the behaviour of all solutions as t tends to infinity
iv) If this equation models a mass-spring system with no external force, state whether the motion is underdamped, critically damped or overdamped.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


i) Easy enough:
y(t)=e-t(([tex]Ccos(\sqrt{2}t) + Dsin(\sqrt{2}t)[/tex]))
ii) I don't really understand this question, but from what I can gather after brief research:
Basis{(e-t[tex]cos\sqrt{2}t[/tex]),(e-t[tex]sin(\sqrt{2}t)[/tex]))}. Can someone explain this question please?
iii) as t tends to infinity, y(t) tends to 0, due to the exponential decay.
iv) I'm not really sure here. All my notes on mass-spring systems don't really cover differential solutions when I haven't worked from a frequency point-of-view. I think it shows an underdamped system.

Are those about right?
 
Last edited:
tomeatworld said:
Thanks! Just edited above the work I managed with that! Does that seem right?

Ok, rather than start a new thread (which I can do if it would be easier), I thought I'd put in the new question I have here:

Homework Statement


i) Find the general solution for y'' + 2y' + 3y =0
ii) Give the basis for the vector space of all solutions of this equation.
iii) Describe the behaviour of all solutions as t tends to infinity
iv) If this equation models a mass-spring system with no external force, state whether the motion is underdamped, critically damped or overdamped.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution


i) Easy enough:
y(t)=e-t(([tex]Ccos(\sqrt{2}t) + Dsin(\sqrt{2}t)[/tex]))
ii) I don't really understand this question, but from what I can gather after brief research:
Basis{(e-t[tex]cos\sqrt{2}t[/tex]),(e-t[tex]sin(\sqrt{2}t)[/tex]))}. Can someone explain this question please?
Yes, that's the basis. The solution space is a vector (or function) space that is spanned by those two functions. Every solution of the given DE is a linear combination of those two functions.
tomeatworld said:
iii) as t tends to infinity, y(t) tends to 0, due to the exponential decay.
iv) I'm not really sure here. All my notes on mass-spring systems don't really cover differential solutions when I haven't worked from a frequency point-of-view. I think it shows an underdamped system.

Are those about right?
Yes. For iv, over-, under-, and critically damped relate directly to the discriminant in the solution of the characteristic equation (which in this case is r2 + 2r + 3 = 0).

The discriminant D is b4 - 4ac. If D < 0, the system is underdamped, since there is still a fair amount of oscillation. If D > 0, there is no oscillation, and the system is overdamped. If D = 0, the system is critically damped.
 

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