Is this 2nd Differential Equation Answer Correct?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the second-order differential equation y'' + 9y = 0 with initial conditions y(pi/3) = y'(pi/3) = 3. The subject area is differential equations, specifically focusing on characteristic equations and solutions involving trigonometric functions.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different forms of the general solution, with some suggesting the use of complex exponentials while others prefer trigonometric representations. There are attempts to apply initial conditions to determine specific coefficients in the solution.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing debate regarding the correct form of the solution, with multiple interpretations being discussed. Some participants offer corrections to earlier posts, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the solution process without reaching a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the provided initial conditions and are questioning the accuracy of the derived coefficients based on those conditions. There is also a mention of potential misinterpretations of the characteristic roots.

jonnejon
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Homework Statement


y'' + 9y = 0 where y(pi/3) = y'(pi/3) = 3

Homework Equations



r^2 + 9 = 0
r^2 = -9
r = 3i

The Attempt at a Solution



y = c1 e^x cos (3x) + c2 e^x sin(3x)
y' = c1 e^x cos (3x) - 3c1 e^x sin (3x) + c2 e^x sin(3x) + 3c2 e^x cos(3x)

y = -c1 e^(pi/3) = 3 => c1 = -3e^(-pi/3)
y' = -c1 e^(pi/3) - 3c2 e^(pi/3) = 3
y' = -(-3e^(-pi/3))e^(pi/3) - 3c2 e^(pi/3) = 3
y' = 3 - 3c2e^(pi/3) = 3 ====> c2 = 0

so
y= -3e^(-pi/3) e^x cos(3x) + 0
 
Last edited:
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Hi jonnejon! :smile:

(have a pi: π and try using the X2 and X2 tags just above the Reply box :wink:)
jonnejon said:
r = 3i
y = c1 e^x cos (3x) + c2 e^x sin(3x)

Noooo :redface: … r = ±3i gives you Ae3ix + Be-3ix (or Acos3x + Bsin3x).

(Your solution would be for r = 1 ± 3i. :wink:)
 
So,

y = A cos(3x) + B sin(3x)
y' = -3A sin(3x) + 3B sin(3x)

y = -A = 3 => A = -3
y'= -3B = 3 => B = -1

So the solution is: y= 3cos(3x) - sin(3x)??
 
jonnejon said:
So,

y = A cos(3x) + B sin(3x)
y' = -3A sin(3x) + 3B sin(3x)

y = -A = 3 => A = -3
y'= -3B = 3 => B = -1

So the solution is: y= 3cos(3x) - sin(3x)??

Yup! :smile:

(except you left out the - in -3 :wink:)
 
jonnejon said:
So,

y = A cos(3x) + B sin(3x)
y' = -3A sin(3x) + 3B sin(3x)
For y' it should by y' = -3A sin(3x) + 3B cos(3x)
If I can jump in here, the next two lines are where you're using your initial conditions to solve for A and B in the equations above.
jonnejon said:
y = -A = 3 => A = -3
y'= -3B = 3 => B = -1
What you should say in the first equation is that since y(pi/3) = 3, then
Acos(pi) + Bsin(pi) = 3, so A*(-1) = 3, or A = -3

Since y'(pi/3) = 3, and A = -3,
9sin(pi) + 3B cos(pi) = 3, so 3B(-1) = 3, so B = -1

jonnejon said:
So the solution is: y= 3cos(3x) - sin(3x)??
As tiny-tim already pointed out, y = -3cos(3x) - sin(3x)
 
Last edited:
Mark44 said:
As Compuchip already pointed out, y = -3cos(3x) - sin(3x)

Hi Compuchip! :smile:

Didn't know you were there! :biggrin:
 
Sorry about that, tiny-tim.
 
We look alike in the dark! :biggrin:
 
Well, it's dark here, so that's good enough for me.
 

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