Help with Signals and Systems Differential Equation Problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem related to differential equations in the context of signals and systems. Participants are attempting to derive the differential equation that relates the input to the output of a circuit, with a focus on manipulating equations involving current and voltage.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help with a homework problem involving differential equations but feels stuck in their progress.
  • Another participant suggests eliminating a variable by substituting it into another equation to express the output in terms of the remaining variables.
  • There is a discussion about whether to use Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) or Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) for solving the problem, indicating uncertainty about the correct approach.
  • Participants share their equations and steps taken, with one noting a potential sign error in the equations presented by another.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the relationships between current and voltage, particularly in terms of derivatives and integrals.
  • One participant expresses confusion about how to manipulate an equation to eliminate a variable, seeking further guidance.
  • Ultimately, a participant claims to have arrived at a final answer after collaboration with a peer, indicating some resolution to their initial difficulties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While some participants provide guidance and corrections, there is no clear consensus on the best approach to the problem, and multiple viewpoints regarding the use of KCL versus KVL are expressed. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved as participants navigate through their differing interpretations and methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific equations and steps taken, but there are indications of potential sign errors and misunderstandings in the manipulation of these equations. The discussion reflects a reliance on prior class notes, which may not fully clarify the current problem.

NHLspl09
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Hey guys, I was wondering if I could receive any help on a homework problem I have. I need to find the differential equation relating the input to the output. I've began working on it but feel like I've hit a brick wall in my work, any input?

Homework Statement



Attachment - Problem
Working on part c

Homework Equations



Attachment - Work

The Attempt at a Solution



Attachment - Work
 

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Take a look at my solution:
http://www.mypicx.com/09032011/Solution/

I leave the rearranging terms to you.. By the way how do you upload the picture like what is shown in this page. I don't know how to do it..
 
You solved for i1 in terms of i2 and its derivatives. Now plug that into the other equation to eliminate i1 completely and leave you with x(t) in terms of i2 and its derivatives. Then since y(t) = L di2/dt, you can write i2 and its derivatives in terms of y(t).
 
yongs90 said:
Take a look at my solution:
http://www.mypicx.com/09032011/Solution/

I leave the rearranging terms to you.. By the way how do you upload the picture like what is shown in this page. I don't know how to do it..

The thing is I need to do it using differential equations and not in the s domain. All I do to upload pictures is scan a document to paint then save it as a jpeg file and upload it using the manage attachments tool here.

vela said:
You solved for i1 in terms of i2 and its derivatives. Now plug that into the other equation to eliminate i1 completely and leave you with x(t) in terms of i2 and its derivatives. Then since y(t) = L di2/dt, you can write i2 and its derivatives in terms of y(t).

Ok, I understand what you mean until you say to plug i1 into the other equation.. do you mean plug it into my x(dot) equation?? Where it is (i1-i2)?
 
Yes, plug it into the x-dot equation anywhere i1 appears.
 
vela said:
Yes, plug it into the x-dot equation anywhere i1 appears.

I've done so and then solved for [itex]\frac{di1}{dt}[/itex] in equation 3 and also plugged that into the x(dot) equation. Do I now take the derivative of this equation to leave it in terms of x?
 

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Equation 3 should be y(t)=L di2/dt.
 
vela said:
Equation 3 should be y(t)=L di2/dt.

If equation 3 is y(t)=L di2/dt, then I'm not quite sure where it is plugged into in the other formulas
 
I've been trying to restart the problem and look at it from a different approach but still no luck, any idea if I'm doing something wrong here? I've followed the same steps as taken in my notes from class and I can't seem to grasp this problem.

Edit: Any thoughts as to if I should be using KCL rather than KVL since I can't seem to figure this problem out?
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Your original loop equations were
\begin{align*}
x(t) - R_1 i_1 - \frac{1}{C}\int (i_1-i_2)\,dt &= 0 \\
\frac{1}{C}\int(i_2-i_1)\,dt - R_2 i_2 - L_1 \frac{di_2}{dt} &= 0
\end{align*}
(I think you had a sign error in the second equation.) The last term in the second equation is the voltage across the inductor, right? In other words, it's y(t). That's what your equation (3) should have been. I'm not sure why you used i1 there instead. In fact, when you differentiated equation (2), you correctly expressed the derivatives of i2 in terms of y(t).

You then differentiated each equation and got
\begin{align*}
\dot{x}(t) - R_1 \frac{di_1}{dt} - \frac{1}{C}(i_1-i_2) &= 0 \\
\frac{1}{C}(i_2-i_1) - R_2 \frac{di_2}{dt} - L_1 \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2} &= 0
\end{align*}
You then solved the second equation for i1 and obtained[tex]i_1 = i_2 - R_2 C \frac{di_2}{dt} - L_1C \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2}[/tex]
Now just plug it into the first equation to get[tex] \dot{x}(t) - <br /> R_1 \frac{d}{dt} \left( i_2 - R_2 C \frac{di_2}{dt} - L_1C \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2} \right) - <br /> \frac{1}{C} \left[ \left( i_2 - R_2 C \frac{di_2}{dt} - L_1C \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2}\right) -i_2 \right] = 0[/tex]
Note i1 is gone. Now simplify it and then use the fact that y(t) = L di2/dt to get rid of i2.
 
  • #11
vela said:
Note i1 is gone. Now simplify it and then use the fact that y(t) = L di2/dt to get rid of i2.

Gotcha, my question is when you want to use y(t) = L di2/dt how in the world can you manipulate this to get rid of i2 throughout the xdot equation??
 
  • #12
The same way you did it before after you solved for i1 after differentiating equation (2). What did you do back then?
 
  • #13
I ended up solving for a final answer of xdot = R1([itex]\frac{y}{L1}[/itex]+R2C[itex]\frac{ydot}{L1}[/itex]+y(2dot)C)+(R2[itex]\frac{y}{L1}[/itex]+ydot). Thank you guys for all of your help and input on this problem!
 
  • #14
Sorry, as you apparently realized, your original equations were right, and it was I who made the sign error in equation (2). So the loop equations are
\begin{align*}
\dot{x}(t) - R_1 \frac{di_1}{dt} - \frac{1}{C}(i_1-i_2) &= 0 \\
\frac{1}{C}(i_2-i_1) + R_2 \frac{di_2}{dt} + L_1 \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2} &= 0
\end{align*}
which ultimately lead to the answer you found.
 
  • #15
vela said:
Sorry, as you apparently realized, your original equations were right, and it was I who made the sign error in equation (2). So the loop equations are
\begin{align*}
\dot{x}(t) - R_1 \frac{di_1}{dt} - \frac{1}{C}(i_1-i_2) &= 0 \\
\frac{1}{C}(i_2-i_1) + R_2 \frac{di_2}{dt} + L_1 \frac{d^2i_2}{dt^2} &= 0
\end{align*}
which ultimately lead to the answer you found.

No problem at all! I figured it out last night with one of my friends in my course and figured I would post my final answer. Thank you very much for your help and input!
 

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