Jerome's questions at Yahoo Answers regarding inhomogeneous linear ODEs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving inhomogeneous linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the method of undetermined coefficients. Participants explore two specific third-order ODEs, discussing various approaches to find particular solutions and the general solution forms.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two ODEs and requests solutions using the method of undetermined coefficients.
  • Another participant outlines a detailed solution for the first ODE, including the use of annihilator methods and the derivation of characteristic roots.
  • A different participant expresses confusion regarding the method of undetermined coefficients and requests clarification.
  • One participant suggests using a look-up table to determine the form of the particular solution, demonstrating this approach for the first problem and encouraging others to apply it to the second problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the preferred method for solving the ODEs, as participants propose different approaches and some express confusion. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best techniques to apply.

Contextual Notes

Participants utilize various methods, including the annihilator method and look-up tables, but there are differences in understanding and application of these techniques. Some assumptions about the forms of particular solutions are not explicitly stated, leading to potential gaps in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in differential equations, particularly those studying methods for solving inhomogeneous linear ODEs, may find this discussion beneficial.

MarkFL
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Here are the questions:

HELP WITH THESE DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION?

please use the method of undetermined coefficients and show your steps with explanations

(1) Y"'+y'=4sinx +2x^2
(2) Y'''+y"+3y'-5y=5sin2x+10x^2-3x+7

Here is a link to the questions:

HELP WITH THESE DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION? - Yahoo! Answers

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can find my response.
 
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Hello jerome,

1.) We are given to solve the inhomogeneous linear 3rd order ODE:

(1) $$y'''+y'=4\sin(x)+2x^2$$

The differential operator $$D^2+1$$ annihilates $$4\sin(x)$$ and $$D^3$$ annihilates $$2x^2$$ hence the operator:

$$A\equiv D^3(D^2+1)$$

annihilates $$4\sin(x)+2x^2$$.

Thus, applying $$A$$ to both sides of (1) gives us:

(2) $$D^4(D^2+1)^2[y]=0$$

The characteristic roots are then:

$$r=0,\,\pm i$$

where $$r=0$$ is of multiplicity 4 and $$r=\pm i$$ are of multiplicity 2, and so the general solution to (2) is given by:

(3) $$y(x)=c_1+c_2x+c_3x^2+c_4x^3+(c_5+c_6x)\cos(x)+(c_7+c_8x)\sin(x)$$

Now, recall that a general solution to (1) is of the form $$y(x)=y_h(x)+y_p(x)$$. Since every solution to (1) is also a solution to (2), then $$y(x)$$ must have the form displayed on the right-hand side of (3). But we recognize that:

$$y_h(x)=c_1+c_2\cos(x)+c_3\sin(x)$$

and so there must exist a particular solution of the form:

$$y_p(x)=c_2x+c_3x^2+c_4x^3+c_6x\cos(x)+c_8x\sin(x)$$

Now it is a matter of using the method of undetermined coefficients to determine the particular solution that satisfies (1).

So, what we need to do is compute $$y_p'(x)$$ and $$y_p'''(x)$$, substitute these into (1), and solve the resulting linear system that arises when we equate coefficients. So, computing the necessary derivatives, we find:

$$y_p'(x)=c_2+2c_3x+3c_4x^2+c_6(\cos(x)-x\sin(x))+c_8(\sin(x)+x\cos(x))$$

$$y_p''(x)=2c_3+6c_4x+c_6(-2\sin(x)-x\cos(x))+c_8(2\cos(x)-x\sin(x))$$

$$y_p'''(x)=6c_4+c_6(-3\cos(x)+x\sin(x))+c_8(-3\sin(x)-x\cos(x))$$

Substituting into (1), we find:

$$\left(6c_4+c_6(-3\cos(x)+x\sin(x))+c_8(-3\sin(x)-x\cos(x)) \right)+\left(c_2+2c_3x+3c_4x^2+c_6(\cos(x)-x\sin(x))+c_8(\sin(x)+x\cos(x)) \right)=4\sin(x)+2x^2$$

Rearranging, we may write:

$$-2c_6\cos(x)-2c_8\sin(x)+3c_4x^2+2c_3x+c_2+6c_4=0\cos(x)+4\sin(x)+2x^2+0x+0$$

Equating coefficients, we find:

$$c_6=0$$

$$c_8=-2$$

$$c_4=\frac{2}{3}$$

$$c_3=0$$

$$c_2=-4$$

Hence, we find:

$$y_p(x)=-4x+\frac{2}{3}x^3-2x\sin(x)$$

and by the principle of superposition, we find:

$$y(x)=c_1+c_2\cos(x)+c_3\sin(x)-4x+\frac{2}{3}x^3-2x\sin(x)$$

2.) We are given to solve the inhomogeneous linear 3rd order ODE:

(1) $$y'''+y''+3y'-5y=5\sin(2x)+10x^2-3x+7$$

The differential operator $$\frac{D^2}{2^2}+1$$ annihilates $$5\sin(2x)$$ and $$D^3$$ annihilates $$10x^2-3x+7$$ hence the operator:

$$A\equiv \frac{1}{4}D^3(D^2+4)$$

annihilates $$5\sin(2x)+10x^2-3x+7$$.

Thus, applying $$A$$ to both sides of (1) gives us:

(2) $$D^3(D^2+4)(D-1)(D^2+2D+5)[y]=0$$

The characteristic roots are then:

$$r=0,\pm2i,1,-1\pm2i$$

The root $$r=0$$ is of multiplicity 3, and so the general solution to (2) is given by:

$$y(x)=c_1+c_2x+c_3x^2+c_4\cos(2x)+c_5\sin(2x)+c_6e^x+c_7e^{-x}\cos(2x)+c_8e^{-x}\sin(2x)$$

Now, recall that a general solution to (1) is of the form $$y(x)=y_h(x)+y_p(x)$$. Since every solution to (1) is also a solution to (2), then $$y(x)$$ must have the form displayed on the right-hand side of (3). But we recognize that:

$$y_h(x)=c_6e^x+c_7e^{-x}\cos(2x)+c_8e^{-x}\sin(2x)$$

and so there must exist a particular solution of the form:

$$y_p(x)=c_1+c_2x+c_3x^2+c_4\cos(2x)+c_5\sin(2x)$$

Now it is a matter of using the method of undetermined coefficients to determine the particular solution that satisfies (1).

So, what we need to do is compute $$y_p'(x),\,y_p''(x),\,y_p..'(x)$$ and substitute these into (1), and solve the resulting linear system that arises when we equate coefficients. So, computing the necessary derivatives, we find:

$$y_p'(x)=c_2+2c_3x-2c_4\sin(2x)+2c_5\cos(2x)$$

$$y_p''(x)=2c_3-4c_4\cos(2x)-4c_5\sin(2x)$$

$$y_p'''(x)=8c_4\sin(2x)-8c_5\cos(2x)$$

Substituting into (1), we find:

$$\left(8c_4\sin(2x)-8c_5\cos(2x) \right)+\left(2c_3-4c_4\cos(2x)-4c_5\sin(2x) \right)+3\left(c_2+2c_3x-2c_4\sin(2x)+2c_5\cos(2x) \right)-$$

$$\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,5\left(c_1+c_2x+c_3x^2+c_4\cos(2x)+c_5\sin(2x) \right)=5\sin(2x)+10x^2-3x+7$$

Rearranging, we may write:

$$(-9c_4-2c_5)\cos(2x)+(2c_4-9c_5)\sin(2x)+(-5c_3)x^2+(-5c_2+6c_3)x+(-5c_1+3c_2+2c_3)=0\cos(2x)+5\sin(2x)+10x^2-3x+7$$

Equating coefficients, we find:

$$-9c_4-2c_5=0$$

$$2c_4-9c_5=5$$

$$-5c_3=10$$

$$-5c_2+6c_3=-3$$

$$-5c_1+3c_2+2c_3=7$$

Solving this system, we find:

$$c_1=-\frac{82}{25},\,c_2=-\frac{9}{5},\,c_3=-2,\,c_4=\frac{2}{17},\,c_5=-\frac{9}{17}$$

Hence, we find:

$$y_p(x)=-\frac{82}{25}-\frac{9}{5}x-2x^2+\frac{2}{17}\cos(2x)-\frac{9}{17}\sin(2x)$$

and by the principle of superposition, we find:

$$y(x)=c_1e^x+c_2e^{-x}\cos(2x)+c_3e^{-x}\sin(2x)-\frac{82}{25}-\frac{9}{5}x-2x^2+\frac{2}{17}\cos(2x)-\frac{9}{17}\sin(2x)$$

To jerome and any other guests viewing this topic, I invite and encourage you to post other differential equations problems in our http://www.mathhelpboards.com/f17/ forum.

Best Regards,

Mark.
 
Last edited:
the method i understand is the undetermined coefficients, i don't understand all these sir
 
Rather than use a look-up table, I used the annihilator method to determine the form of the particular solution, and then I used the method of undetermined coefficients to determine the actual particular solution. I will demonstrate how to determine the form of the particular solution for the first problem using a table, and then I want to see if you can apply this to the second problem.

1.) $$y'''+y'=4\sin(x)+2x^2$$

First, we want to find the corresponding homogeneous solution $$y_h(x)$$, i.e., the solution to:

$$y'''+y'=0$$

The characteristic or auxiliary equation is:

$$r^3+r=r(r^2+1)=0$$

and so the characteristic roots are:

$$r=0,\,\pm i$$

and so we find:

$$y_h(x)=c_1+c_2\cos(x)+c_2\sin(x)$$

Now, we look at the right-hand side of the original ODE, which is:

$$4\sin(x)+2x^2$$

Now, referring to a table, we find for the term:

$$4\sin(x)$$

which is of the form:

$$a\cos(\beta x)+b\sin(\beta x)$$

that the particular solution associated with this term must be of the form:

$$y_{p_1}(x)=x^s\left(A\cos(\beta x)+B\sin(\beta x) \right)$$

where the non-negative integer $s$ is chosen to be the smallest integer so that no term in the particular solution is a solution to the corresponding homogeneous equation. Thus, as you can see, we find in this case we require $s=1$, and so:

$$y_{p_1}(x)=x\left(A\cos(\beta x)+B\sin(\beta x) \right)$$

Now, for the term:

$$2x^2$$

which is of the form:

$$a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0$$

we find that the particular solution associated with this term must be of the form:

$$y_{p_2}(x)=x^s\left(Cx^2+Dx+E \right)$$

Since $$y_h(x)$$ has a constant term, we find $$s=1$$, and so:

$$y_{p_2}(x)=x\left(Cx^2+Dx+E \right)$$

By superposition, we then have:

$$y_p(x)=y_{p_1}(x)+y_{p_2}(x)=x\left(A\cos(\beta x)+B\sin(\beta x) \right)+x\left(Cx^2+Dx+E \right)$$

As you can see this is the same form I determined above by using the annihilator method.

Now, see if you can apply this technique to the second problem, and post what you find, and I will be more than happy to help if you get stuck. :D
 

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