ODE using variation of parameters

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an inhomogeneous Euler-Cauchy differential equation using the method of variation of parameters. The original poster presents the problem, including the homogeneous solutions and the transformed inhomogeneous equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the variation of parameters method, specifically addressing the calculation of the particular solution and the Wronskian. There are attempts to verify the correctness of the derived particular solution and concerns about the leading coefficient in the differential equation.

Discussion Status

Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their calculations and the application of the method. Others provide feedback suggesting that the derived particular solution may be correct, depending on the equation used for substitution. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of different forms of the equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of ensuring the leading coefficient is equal to one when applying the variation of parameters method. There are indications of confusion regarding the placement of the particular solution into the correct form of the differential equation.

cheddacheeze
Messages
42
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


You are given that two solutions to the homogeneous Euler-Cauchy equation
x^2 \frac{d^2}{dx^2}y(x) - 5x \frac{d}{dx} y(x) + 5y(x) = 0
y1=x, y2=x^5

y''-\frac{5}{x}y'+\frac{5}{x^2}y=-\frac{49}{x^4}
changing the equation to standard form
use variation of parameters to find a particular solution to the inhomogenous Euler-Cauchy equation

Homework Equations


Wronskian
W=4x^5

yp (y particular)
yp=uy1+vy2

u= \frac{-49}{12x^3}

The Attempt at a Solution


v' = \frac{y1r}{w}
v' = \frac{(x) (-49/x^4)}{4x^5}
v' = -\frac{49}{4x^8}
v = -\frac{49}{4} \int \frac{1}{x^8}
v = (-\frac{49}{4}) (-\frac{1}{7x^7})
v = \frac{49}{28x^7}
yp = \frac{-49}{12x^3}*x + \frac{49}{28x^7}*x^5
yp = \frac{-49}{12x^2} + \frac{49}{28x^2}
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
have tried and checked and still have not got the right answer
 
yp = \frac{-7}{3x^2}

tried plugging into the equation and didnt work, something must have gone wrong either in
yp=uy1+vy2
or finding what v' was
can anybody see what's wrong
 
cheddacheeze said:

Homework Statement


You are given that two solutions to the homogeneous Euler-Cauchy equation
x^2 \frac{d^2}{dx^2}y(x) - 5x \frac{d}{dx} y(x) + 5y(x) = 0
y1=x, y2=x^5

y''-\frac{5}{x}y'+\frac{5}{x^2}y=-\frac{49}{x^4}
changing the equation to standard form
use variation of parameters to find a particular solution to the inhomogenous Euler-Cauchy equation

Remember, when you use the formula for variation of parameters, you must have the leading coefficient = 1, so you are working with this last equation.

Homework Equations


Wronskian
W=4x^5

yp (y particular)
yp=uy1+vy2

u= \frac{-49}{12x^3}

The Attempt at a Solution


v' = \frac{y1r}{w}
v' = \frac{(x) (-49/x^4)}{4x^5}
v' = -\frac{49}{4x^8}
v = -\frac{49}{4} \int \frac{1}{x^8}
v = (-\frac{49}{4}) (-\frac{1}{7x^7})
v = \frac{49}{28x^7}
yp = \frac{-49}{12x^3}*x + \frac{49}{28x^7}*x^5
yp = \frac{-49}{12x^2} + \frac{49}{28x^2}

There is nothing wrong with your yp. I'm guessing you put it back in the first equation instead of the third one, and you got -49/x2. That is what you should get if you plug into the first equation because it has been multiplied on both sides by x2 relative to the third equation. If you plug your yp into the third equation, it will work exactly.
 
LCKurtz said:
Remember, when you use the formula for variation of parameters, you must have the leading coefficient = 1, so you are working with this last equation.
There is nothing wrong with your yp. I'm guessing you put it back in the first equation instead of the third one, and you got -49/x2. That is what you should get if you plug into the first equation because it has been multiplied on both sides by x2 relative to the third equation. If you plug your yp into the third equation, it will work exactly.

i differentiated yp twice
plugged in yp'' yp' and yp into the differential
and i got \frac{7}{3x^4}
 
Last edited:
Your particular solution yp= -7/(3x2) is correct. If you plug it in for the y in


<br /> y&#039;&#039;-\frac{5}{x}y&#039;+\frac{5}{x^2}y=-\frac{49}{x^4}<br />

it works. Or you can multiply that equation through by x2:

<br /> x^2y&#039;&#039;-5xy&#039;+5y=-\frac{49}{x^2}<br />

and it works in that equation too.
 
turns out computer didnt like the answer in equation form
thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K