Linear homogeneous D.E. with constant coefficients - known solutions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients that has specific known solutions, including polynomial and exponential functions, as well as trigonometric functions. The participants explore the characteristics of the roots associated with these solutions and the implications for the order of the differential equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the roots of the characteristic polynomial and their multiplicities based on the given solutions. There is consideration of the form of the differential equation, including references to Cauchy Euler equations and the need for higher-order equations. Some participants question the completeness of their polynomial representations and the implications of linear combinations of solutions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various approaches being explored regarding the formulation of the differential equation. Some participants have calculated characteristic polynomials and discussed potential errors in their representations. Hints and suggestions have been provided, but there is no explicit consensus on the final form of the equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the requirement for the differential equation to be at least of order three due to the number of linearly independent solutions. There is also mention of the need to account for complex roots and the implications of missing components in the equations presented.

etf
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My task is to find Linear homogeneous D.E. with constant coefficients which has solutions:
$$\\\varphi 1(x)=x^2,\varphi 2(x)=e^{-3x},\varphi 3(x)=cos(5x)$$ Any idea?
 
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I think that here we have root $$\\\lambda 1=0$$ with multiplicity 3 (from $$\\\varphi 1(x)$$), root $$\\\lambda 2=-3$$ with multiplicity 1 (from $$\\\varphi 2(x)$$).
 
I assume you mean second order.

The solution ##x^2## should come from a Cauchy Euler equation I believe. So I think you need to find an equation of that form by multiplying the roots together to "work backwards" to the indicial equation.
 
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It is possible to have [itex]\varphi_1(x) = x^2[/itex] as a solution to a linear homogeneous equation with constant coefficients. In addition, a linear homogeneous differential equation has as many linearly independent solutions as the order of the equation. Since the 3 functions you listed are linearly independent, the equation we are looking for must be at least of order 3.
As a hint, note that any linear combination of the solutions must also be a solution. Thus, the 3-parameter family of functions [itex]\varphi(x) = C_1x^2 + C_2e^{-3x} + C_3\cos(5x)[/itex] is a solution to the unknown differential equation. As a further hint, try taking this solution's derivatives. Can you find a combination using constant coefficients that is homogeneous?
 
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etf said:
I think that here we have root $$\\\lambda 1=0$$ with multiplicity 3 (from $$\\\varphi 1(x)$$), root $$\\\lambda 2=-3$$ with multiplicity 1 (from $$\\\varphi 2(x)$$).

You're missing [itex]\cos(5x) = (e^{5ix} + e^{-5ix})/2[/itex].

Thus the auxiliary equation must be a polynomial with roots 0 (with multiplicity 3), -3, 5i and -5i.
 
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Wow, I totally forgot equations higher than second order existed ^_^.

My bad.
 
I calculated characteristic polynomial as $$\\(\lambda -\lambda1)^{3}(\lambda-\lambda2)(\lambda-\lambda3)(\lambda-\lambda4)=(\lambda-0)^{3}(\lambda+3)(\lambda-(0-5i))(\lambda-(0+5i))=...$$
$$=\lambda^{6}+3\lambda^{5}+25\lambda^{4}+75\lambda^{3}$$ so D.E. is $$\\y^{(6)}+3y^{(5)}+25y^{(4)}+75y^{(3)}$$
 
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It looks correct. The result is the same using Slider142's hint.

ehild
 
etf said:
I calculated characteristic polynomial as $$\\(\lambda -\lambda1)^{3}(\lambda-\lambda2)(\lambda-\lambda3)(\lambda-\lambda4)=(\lambda-0)^{3}(\lambda+3)(\lambda-(0-5i))(\lambda-(0+5i))=...$$
$$=\lambda^{6}+3\lambda^{5}+25\lambda^{4}+75\lambda^{3}$$ so D.E. is $$\\y^{(6)}+3y^{(5)}+25y^{(4)}+75y^{(3)}$$

Except that that isn't an equation.:frown:
 
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  • #10
Oh, =0 is missing! I did not notice.:blushing:

ehild
 
  • #11
LCKurtz said:
Except that that isn't an equation.:frown:
Forgot to write = 0 :smile:
 
  • #12
Here is another one (this one is not with constan coefficients):
Find linear homogeneous second order D.E. which has general solution $$\\\varphi (x)=C1\frac{sinx}{\sqrt{x}}+C2\frac{\cos{x}}{\sqrt{x}}, x>0$$
Any idea?
 
  • #13
What is the differential equation for y(x)=√(x) φ(x)?

ehild
 
  • #14
I found it. $$\\-\frac{1}{x}y''-\frac{1}{x^{2}}y'+(\frac{1}{4x^{3}}-\frac{1}{x})y=0$$
 
  • #15
Congratulation!
Have you used my hint? It is very easy with that.

ehild
 
  • #16
To be honest, I didn't understand your hint :(
I solved it using Wronskian:

$$\\y1(x)=\frac{\sin{x}}{\sqrt{x}},$$
$$\\y2(x)=\frac{\cos{x}}{\sqrt{x}},$$
$$\\W(y1,y2)=\begin{vmatrix}
y1(x) & y2(x) & y \\
y1'(x) & y2'(x) & y'(x) \\
y1''(x)& y2''(x) & y''(x)
\end{vmatrix}=0$$

However, this is a little bit complicated.
 
  • #17
[tex]\varphi (x)=C1\frac{sinx}{\sqrt{x}}+C2\frac{\cos{x}}{\sqrt{x}}[/tex]

Multiply by √x:

[tex]\sqrt{x}\varphi (x)=C1\sin(x)+C2\cos(x)[/tex]

Define a new function ##y(x)=\sqrt{x}\varphi (x)##. The general solution of a linear homogeneous differential equation for y(x) is ##y(x)= C1\sin(x)+C2\cos(x)##. But that is the solution of the well known differential equation ##y''+ y=0 ##.

Find the second derivative of ##y(x)=\sqrt{x}\varphi (x)## in terms of x and φ and substitute into the equation ##y''+ y=0 ##...

ehild
 
  • #18
Wow :smile:
Your method is definitely much better :)
Thanks!
 

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