Mechanical Vibrations - Linear Combinations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the problem of expressing a given function \(u=4\cos(3t)-2\sin(3t}\) in the form \(u=R\cos(\omega_0 t-\delta)\). Participants explore the determination of parameters \(\omega_0\), \(R\), and \(\delta\) using trigonometric identities and relationships. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanation related to mechanical vibrations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that \(\omega_0=3\), \(A=4\), \(B=-2\), \(R=2\sqrt{5}\), and \(\delta=\tan^{-1}(\dfrac{-2}{4})\approx-.463648\) based on their calculations.
  • Another participant suggests using the angle-difference identity for cosine to express the function in the desired form and derives relationships between \(R\), \(\delta\), and the coefficients of the original function.
  • There is a discussion about the phase shift being represented by \(\delta\), with one participant asserting that the phase shift can also be expressed as \(\frac{\delta}{\omega_0}\).
  • Several participants express confusion about the next steps after determining \(R\) and \(\delta\), with some affirming that plugging values back into the equation is the correct approach.
  • One participant notes that more precision in the angle for \(\delta\) is necessary when graphing the function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the calculations for \(R\) and \(\delta\), but there is some uncertainty regarding the representation of the phase shift and the use of approximations versus exact values. The discussion remains somewhat unresolved regarding the best approach to express the phase shift.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the need for precision in the angle calculations and the implications of using decimal approximations, indicating that the discussion may depend on the context of the problem and the level of accuracy required.

alane1994
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The title may be incorrect, I named this after the section of my book in which this is located.

My problem is as follows.

Determine \(\omega_0\), R, and \(\delta\) so as to write the given expression in the form
\(u=R\cos(\omega_0 t-\delta)\)

\(\color{blue}{u=4\cos(3t)-2\sin(3t)},~\text{My Problem}\)

I know that,

\(u(t)=A\cos(\omega_0 t)+B\sin(\omega_0 t)\)\(\omega_0=\sqrt{\dfrac{k}{m}}\)

\(A=R\cos(\delta),~~B=R\sin(\delta)~~\Rightarrow~R=\sqrt{A^2+B^2},~\tan(\delta)=\dfrac{B}{A}\)

So that means that,
\(\omega_0=3\)

\(A=4\)

\(B=-2\)

\(R=2\sqrt{5}\)

\(\delta=\tan^{-1}(\dfrac{-2}{4})\approx-.463648\)

Now I am a little confused as to where to go from here. Any thoughts?ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
Would I then just plug in the values into the desired format above?
 
Last edited:
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alane1994 said:
The title may be incorrect, I named this after the section of my book in which this is located.

My problem is as follows.

Determine \(\omega_0\), R, and \(\delta\) so as to write the given expression in the form
\(u=R\cos(\omega_0 t-\delta)\)

\(\color{blue}{u=4\cos(3t)-2\sin(3t)},~\text{My Problem}\)

I know that,

\(u(t)=A\cos(\omega_0 t)+B\sin(\omega_0 t)\)\(\omega_0=\sqrt{\dfrac{k}{m}}\)

\(A=R\cos(\delta),~~B=R\sin(\delta)~~\Rightarrow~R=\sqrt{A^2+B^2},~\tan(\delta)=\dfrac{B}{A}\)

So that means that,
\(\omega_0=3\)

\(A=4\)

\(B=-2\)

\(R=2\sqrt{5}\)

\(\delta=\tan^{-1}(\dfrac{-2}{4})\approx-.463648\)

Now I am a little confused as to where to go from here. Any thoughts?ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS:
Would I then just plug in the values into the desired format above?
Looks good. One note: When I graphed these (easiest way to check) I needed several more digits for the phase shift to make it work right.

-Dan
 
Is the phase shift the \(\delta\)?
 
I have moved this topic to our Trigonometry sub-forum since the problem, while it comes from an application of a second order linear ODE, involves only trigonometry. I have also edited the title.

We want to express the solution:

$$u(t)=4\cos(3t)-2\sin(3t)$$

in the form:

$$u(t)=R\cos(\omega_0 t-\delta)$$

I would use the angle-difference identity for cosine to write:

$$u(t)=R\left(\cos(\omega_0 t)\cos(\delta)+\sin(\omega_0 t)\sin(\delta) \right)$$

Distributing the $R$, we have:

$$u(t)=R\cos(\omega_0 t)\cos(\delta)+R\sin(\omega_0 t)\sin(\delta)$$

Comparison of this with the desired form, we find:

$$R\cos(\delta)=4$$

$$R\sin(\delta)=-2$$

$$\omega_0=3$$

Squaring the first two equations, and adding, we get:

$$R^2=20\implies\,R=2\sqrt{5}$$

Dividing the second equation by the first, we find:

$$\tan(\delta)=-\frac{1}{2}\implies\delta=-\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{2} \right)$$

and so we may state:

$$u(t)=2\sqrt{5}\cos\left(3t+\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{2} \right) \right)$$
 
Ok, so you do just plug them back into the friendly equation from earlier in the problem!
I need to stop over-thinking things, it just seemed too easy for a course of this level :P
 
alane1994 said:
Ok, so you do just plug them back into the friendly equation from earlier in the problem!
I need to stop over-thinking things, it just seemed too easy for a course of this level :P

Yes, you did everything correctly, the only thing I would have done further is reduce the argument of the inverse tangent function and avoided using a decimal approximation for the resulting angle $\delta$.

Technically, I should have written:

$$ u(t)=2\sqrt{5}\cos\left(3t-\left(-\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{2} \right) \right) \right)$$
 
alane1994 said:
Is the phase shift the \(\delta\)?
Yup!

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Yup!

-Dan

I believe the phase shift would actually be:

$$\frac{\delta}{\omega_0}$$

which can be seen by writing the solution in the form:

$$u(t)=R\cos\left(\omega_0\left(t-\frac{\delta}{\omega_0} \right) \right)$$
 
MarkFL said:
I believe the phase shift would actually be:

$$\frac{\delta}{\omega_0}$$

which can be seen by writing the solution in the form:

$$u(t)=R\cos\left(\omega_0\left(t-\frac{\delta}{\omega_0} \right) \right)$$
(Ahem!) That's one on MHF and now one on MHB. I'm going to bed.

Thanks for the catch.

-Dan
 

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