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

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on verifying a particular solution to a system of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using Mathematica. The given system is represented by the matrix equation involving a matrix of coefficients and an inhomogeneous term. The proposed particular solution includes terms with both \( e^{2t} \) and \( e^{6t} \), which raises concerns about its validity. The correct approach to verify the solution involves using symbolic differentiation in Mathematica to check if the left-hand side of the ODE equals zero when substituting the proposed solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
  • Familiarity with matrix operations and eigenfunctions
  • Basic knowledge of Mathematica syntax and functions
  • Concept of symbolic differentiation in mathematical software
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to implement symbolic differentiation in Mathematica
  • Study the use of the DSolve function in Mathematica for solving ODEs
  • Explore examples of matrix differential equations in Mathematica
  • Understand the concept of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in the context of differential equations
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, engineering, and physics who are working with systems of linear ODEs and need to verify solutions using computational tools like Mathematica.

Hall
Messages
351
Reaction score
87
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:
Physics news on Phys.org
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:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Hall

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K