General Solution for y'' + 6y' + 8y = 2t + et

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the general solution to the differential equation y'' + 6y' + 8y = 2t + e^t, which includes both polynomial and exponential terms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various forms for the particular solution, yp, considering linear functions and exponential terms. Questions arise about how to handle the non-homogeneous part of the equation, particularly the 2t term.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered suggestions for the form of yp, with some exploring the implications of their choices. There is acknowledgment of corrections and refinements to earlier attempts, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note potential errors in earlier posts regarding the structure of the general solution and the specific forms of yp being considered. There is also mention of needing to adjust coefficients based on the results of substitutions into the original equation.

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Homework Statement



Compute the general solution of y'' + 6y' + 8y = 2t + et

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



after using determinants, I found the general solution to be y(t) = k1e-2 + k2e-4 + yp

To find yp, I would make it equal to yp = aet find its first and second derivates, and substitute them back into y'' + 6y' + 8y , but what do I do about the 2t?
 
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You can do some clever guess work. You can make sure that y'' is 0 by taking some linear function. This simplifies your problem to 6y'+8y=2t. Since we took a linear function y' will be a constant so this will reduce your problem to constant+8y=2t. A function of the form b+ct should suffice.
 
would yp = t be a good guess?

since y'p = 1 and y''p = 0
 
But [itex]6+8t \neq 2t[/itex], so no. Try b+ct as suggested in my previous post.
 
how about [tex]\frac{1}{4}t - \frac{3}{16}[/tex]

so 6(1/4) + 8([tex]\frac{1}{4}t - \frac{3}{16}[/tex]) = 3/2 + 2t - 3/2 = 2t

so when considering et, I would let yp =[tex]\frac{1}{4}t - \frac{3}{16} + e^t[/tex] ?
 
The linear term is correct now, however if we plug in e^t we get, e^t+6e^t+8e^t=15e^t!=e^t. So you have to divide by 15.
 
oops

it should be [tex]\frac{1}{4}t - \frac{3}{16} + ae^t[/tex]

and a would be 1/15
 
Correct.
 
Thank you for all your help.
 
  • #10
You're welcome.
 
  • #11
cse63146 said:

Homework Statement



Compute the general solution of y'' + 6y' + 8y = 2t + et

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



after using determinants, I found the general solution to be y(t) = k1e-2 + k2e-4 + yp

To find yp, I would make it equal to yp = aet find its first and second derivates, and substitute them back into y'' + 6y' + 8y , but what do I do about the 2t?
Pretty sure you meant to write y(t) = k1e-2t + k2e-4t + yp here.
 
  • #12
Oops (again).

Yeah, I did. Thanks.
 

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