Need help with solving an 2nd Order Linear ODE

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order linear ordinary differential equation (ODE) of the form $$\frac { { d }^{ 2 }x }{ d{ t }^{ 2 } } +{ w }^{ 2 }x={ F }_{ 0 }sinwt$$ with initial conditions $$x(0)=0$$ and $$x'(0)=0$$. Participants are exploring methods for finding particular solutions in the context of this equation.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the form of the particular solution and the necessity of modifying it when terms overlap with the complementary solution. There is mention of using the independent variable to adjust the particular solution to avoid duplication with the complementary solution.

Discussion Status

There are various attempts to clarify the approach to finding the particular solution, with some participants questioning the application of certain methods. Guidance has been provided regarding the modification of the particular solution when terms overlap, and there is acknowledgment of the complexity involved in the solution process.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the differentiation of the proposed particular solution and its relation to the complementary solution. There is also a note on the constraints of the problem, particularly regarding the initial conditions and the nature of the ODE.

Turion
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Homework Statement



$$\frac { { d }^{ 2 }x }{ d{ t }^{ 2 } } +{ w }^{ 2 }x={ F }_{ 0 }sinwt\quad \quad \quad \quad x(0)=0\quad \quad x'(0)=0$$

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



$$\frac { { d }^{ 2 }x }{ d{ t }^{ 2 } } +{ w }^{ 2 }x={ F }_{ 0 }sinwt\quad \quad \quad \quad x(0)=0\quad \quad x'(0)=0\\ \\ \\ x_{ c }={ c }_{ 1 }coswt+{ c }_{ 2 }sinwt\\ \\ \\ { x }_{ p }=Atsinwt+Btcoswt\\ { x }_{ p }'=wAtcoswt-wBtsinwt\\ { x }_{ p }''=-{ w }^{ 2 }Atsinwt-{ w }^{ 2 }Btcoswt\\ \\ \\ Sub\quad { x }_{ p },\quad { { x }_{ p } }',\quad and\quad { { x }_{ p } }''\quad into\quad the\quad DE\\ \\ \\ 0={ F }_{ 0 }sinwt$$

I'm not sure where to proceed from here.
 
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Turion said:

Homework Statement



$$\frac { { d }^{ 2 }x }{ d{ t }^{ 2 } } +{ w }^{ 2 }x={ F }_{ 0 }sinwt\quad \quad \quad \quad x(0)=0\quad \quad x'(0)=0$$

If you have
[tex] x'' + ax' + bx = f(t)[/tex]
and the obvious particular solution candidate [itex]g(t)[/itex] is a solution of [itex]x'' + ax' + bx = 0[/itex], then try the candidate [itex]tg(t)[/itex].
 
pasmith said:
If you have
[tex] x'' + ax' + bx = f(t)[/tex]
and the obvious particular solution candidate [itex]g(t)[/itex] is a solution of [itex]x'' + ax' + bx = 0[/itex], then try the candidate [itex]tg(t)[/itex].

I don't follow. A particular solution applies to heterogeneous differential equations but you're using the term with a homogeneous differential equation?
 
Turion said:
I don't follow. A particular solution applies to heterogeneous differential equations but you're using the term with a homogeneous differential equation?

If a term appears in your complementary solution and then in your particular solution, your particular solution needs to be changed a bit. If the term is already in the complementary solution, how can it possibly be part of the particular solution?

That's why a useful trick is to multiply the guessed particular solution by the independent variable ( usually ##t## ), which will yield a completely different particular solution. If that does not get rid of all the duplicate terms between your complementary solution and your particular guess, multiply the particular guess by the independent variable a second time.

If you're working with a second order ODE, you will never need to multiply more than twice ( i.e the highest power term introduced through multiplying would be ##t^2## ). If you're working with an nth order ODE, you never need to multiply more than ##n## times.

For an easy example, try solving ##y'' - 3y' - 4y = e^{-t}##. Your complementary solution won't be too bad to solve, but try guessing the particular solution as you did before without multiplying through by the independent variable. You'll notice no combination of coefficients will satisfy your equation and your particular solution guess will be incorrect.
 
Last edited:
Zondrina said:
If a term appears in your complementary solution and then in your particular solution, your particular solution needs to be changed a bit. If the term is already in the complementary solution, how can it possibly be part of the particular solution?

That's why a useful trick is to multiply the guessed particular solution by the independent variable ( usually ##t## ), which will yield a completely different particular solution. If that does not get rid of all the duplicate terms between your complementary solution and your particular guess, multiply the particular guess by the independent variable a second time.

If you're working with a second order ODE, you will never need to multiply more than twice ( i.e the highest power term introduced through multiplying would be ##t^2## ). If you're working with an nth order ODE, you never need to multiply more than ##n## times.

I did do that though:

Turion said:
$${ x }_{ p }=Atsinwt+Btcoswt$$

or am I missing something?
 
Turion said:
I did do that though:



or am I missing something?

I seem to have missed the t's. You however missed them when differentiating:

[tex](t \cos(wt))' = \cos(wt) - wt \sin(wt)[/tex]

etc.
 
Thanks. Solved but was incredibly long.
 

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