Mathematica How to check a particular solution of System of Linear ODEs?

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To verify a particular solution of a system of inhomogeneous linear ODEs, one can use symbolic differentiation in Mathematica. The proposed solution should be defined as a function, and then the expression f'[t] - {{4, -1},{5, -2}} . f[t] - {18*exp[2*t], 30*exp[2*t]} should be checked to ensure it equals zero. This approach confirms whether the solution satisfies the original ODEs. The discussion highlights the importance of identifying the correct form of the particular solution, suggesting that terms like e^{6t} may indicate an error in the proposed solution. Utilizing Mathematica's capabilities can help clarify and validate the solution process.
Hall
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If I have been given a system of inhomogeneous linear ODEs,
$$
\vec{x'} =
\begin{bmatrix}
4 & -1 \\
5 & -2 \\
\end{bmatrix}
\vec{x}
+
\begin{bmatrix}
18e^{2t} \\
30e^{2t}\\
\end{bmatrix}
$$

I have found its particular solution to be:
$$
1/4
\begin{bmatrix}
-31e^{2t} - 25e^{6t} \\
85e^{2t} - 25e^{6t} \\
\end{bmatrix}
$$

But this answer doesn't match with the answer given in the book. Can someone tell me how to check if this solutions works by writing some code in Mathematica? I know, I can use DSolve for solving them, but I'm asking a reverse of that.

Please guide me step by step, I'm new to Mathematica and I don't have any background in programming.
 
Last edited:
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Hall said:
If I have been given a system of inhomogeneous linear ODEs,
$$
\vec{x'} =
\begin{bmatrix}
4 & -1 \\
5 & -2 \\
\end{bmatrix}
\vec{x}
+
\begin{bmatrix}
18e^{2t} \\
30e^{2t}\\
\end{bmatrix}
$$

I have found its particular solution to be:
$$
1/4
\begin{bmatrix}
-31e^{2t} - 25e^{6t} \\
85e^{2t} - 25e^{6t} \\
\end{bmatrix}
$$

But this answer doesn't match with the answer given in the book.

I look at your solution, and I must ask myself: Where does e^{6t} come from? e^{2t} is an eigenfunction of the derivative operator: (e^{2t})' = 2e^{2t}. So I would expect the particular function to be ae^{2t} for some constant vector a, which can be determined by substituting this into the ODE. That your answer is not of this form, or of this form plus a complementary function (6 is not an eigenvalue of the matrix, so a multiple of e^{6t} is not a complementary function), leads me to suspect that you have made an error, but since you haven't shown your working I can't tell you what it is.

Can someone tell me how to check if this solutions works by writing some code in Mathematica? I know, I can use DSolve for solving them, but I'm asking a reverse of that.

Please guide me step by step, I'm new to Mathematica and I don't have any background in programming.

The answer to this question is "symbolic differentiation". Define your proposed solution as a function, and check to see that
Code:
f'[t] - {{4, -1},{5, -2}} . f[t] - {18*exp[2*t], 30*exp[2*t]}
is zero. Have a look at the examples at https://reference.wolfram.com/language/ref/Derivative.html.
 
Last edited:
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