Ordinary differential equation with boundary value condition

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a boundary value problem defined by a second-order ordinary differential equation, specifically involving the equation \( u''(t) = -4u + 3\sin(t) \) with boundary conditions \( u(0) = 1 \) and \( u(2) = 2\sin(4) + \sin(2) + \cos(4) \). Participants are tasked with deriving a linear system through discretization using a finite difference method with a specified step length.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the evaluation of the second derivative at the boundary and the implications of the chosen step length. There are questions about the correctness of the iterative method proposed and the relationship between the discretization and the boundary conditions. Some participants suggest that the step size may be too large for the interval being considered.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the discretization process and questioning the assumptions made regarding the step size and the iterative method. Some guidance has been offered regarding the formulation of the equations needed for the discretization, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with the step size and the interpretation of the boundary conditions, indicating that the problem may require further exploration of the relationship between the discretized values and the boundary conditions provided.

Linder88
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Homework Statement


Consider the boundary value problem
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=-4u+3sin(t),u(0)=1,u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4)
\end{equation}

Homework Equations


Derive the linear system that arise when discretizating this problem using
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=\frac{u(t-h)-2u(t)+u(t+h)}{h^2}
\end{equation}
where h=0.5 is the step length.

The Attempt at a Solution


Evaluate the second derivative at the first boundary
\begin{equation}
u''(0)=-4u(0)=-4
\end{equation}
Now if iterating with step length h=0.5 we should have
for t=1:100
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
u''(t)=-4u(t)+3sin(t)\\
u(t+1)=u(t)+h^2u''(t)
\end{cases}
\end{equation}
end
When I do this iteration in I don't end up at u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4) which make me conclude that I am doing something wrong. Can somebody please explain how I should use Equation (2) to calculate the next value?
 
Last edited:
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Linder88 said:

Homework Statement


Consider the boundary value problem
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=-4u+3sin(t),u(0)=1,u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4)
\end{equation}

Homework Equations


Derive the linear system that arise when discretizating this problem using
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=\frac{u(t-h)-2u(t)+u(t+h)}{h^2}
\end{equation}
where h=0.5 is the step length.

The Attempt at a Solution


Evaluate the second derivative at the first boundary
\begin{equation}
u''(0)=-4u(0)=-4
\end{equation}
Now if iterating with step length h=0.5 we should have
for t=1:100
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
u''(t)=-4u(t)+3sin(t)\\
u(t+1)=u(t)+h^2u''(t)
\end{cases}
\end{equation}
end
I don't know where your second equation above comes from. Let's assume for the moment that it is correct. The main problem I see is that your step of h = 0.5 is way too large. Your interval is [0, 2]. If you divide that into 100 subintervals, each is of length .02. Possibly h is half of that, or h = .01.
Linder88 said:
When I do this iteration in I don't end up at u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4) which make me conclude that I am doing something wrong. Can somebody please explain how I should use Equation (45) to calculate the next value?
When t = 100, you are calculating u(101), not u(2).

Also, do you mean equation 10 rather than equation 45? That equation is only an approximation, with closer values for smaller values of h.
 
Mark44 said:
I don't know where your second equation above comes from. Let's assume for the moment that it is correct. The main problem I see is that your step of h = 0.5 is way too large. Your interval is [0, 2]. If you divide that into 100 subintervals, each is of length .02. Possibly h is half of that, or h = .01.

When t = 100, you are calculating u(101), not u(2).

Also, do you mean equation 10 rather than equation 45? That equation is only an approximation, with closer values for smaller values of h.

Well, the original question looks like in the attached picture. Let me know if it doesn't work or if you can't see it. I am excited to hear your comments on the questions.
 

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I believe that the first part ("Derive the linear system that arise when discretizating this problem using... h = 0.5") is
##u''(.5) = \frac{u(0) - 2u(.5) + u(1)}{(.5)^2}##
##u''(1) = \frac{u(.5) - 2u(1) + u(1.5)}{(.5)^2}##
##u''(1.5) = \frac{u(1) - 2u(1.5) + u(2)}{(.5)^2}##
I could be wrong, but I think this is what they're looking for.
For the other part, take a look at the Matlab code that is mentioned in the problem statement in your book.
 
Mark44 said:
I believe that the first part ("Derive the linear system that arise when discretizating this problem using... h = 0.5") is
##u''(.5) = \frac{u(0) - 2u(.5) + u(1)}{(.5)^2}##
##u''(1) = \frac{u(.5) - 2u(1) + u(1.5)}{(.5)^2}##
##u''(1.5) = \frac{u(1) - 2u(1.5) + u(2)}{(.5)^2}##
I could be wrong, but I think this is what they're looking for.
For the other part, take a look at the Matlab code that is mentioned in the problem statement in your book.
Thank you, this at least gives me something to write in the report :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You should also look in your textbook and class notes for a similar problem to see how it was done.
 
Linder88 said:

Homework Statement


Consider the boundary value problem
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=-4u+3sin(t),u(0)=1,u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4)
\end{equation}

Homework Equations


Derive the linear system that arise when discretizating this problem using
\begin{equation}
u''(t)=\frac{u(t-h)-2u(t)+u(t+h)}{h^2}
\end{equation}
where h=0.5 is the step length.

The Attempt at a Solution


Evaluate the second derivative at the first boundary
\begin{equation}
u''(0)=-4u(0)=-4
\end{equation}
Now if iterating with step length h=0.5 we should have
for t=1:100
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
u''(t)=-4u(t)+3sin(t)\\
u(t+1)=u(t)+h^2u''(t)
\end{cases}
\end{equation}
end
When I do this iteration in I don't end up at u(2)=2sin(4)+sin(2)+cos(4) which make me conclude that I am doing something wrong. Can somebody please explain how I should use Equation (2) to calculate the next value?

No: you do not have ##u(t+1)=u(t)+h^2u''(t)##; if anything, you should have ##u(t+h) \approx u(t) + h u'(t) + \frac{1}{2} h^2 u''(t)##. However, when you make the finite-difference approximation to ##u''(t)## and substitute that into the DE, you will get an equation linking ##u(t-h), u(t)## and ##u(t+h)##, so if you know ##u(0)## and ##u(h)## you can get ##u(2h)##, then ##u(3h)##, etc. However, this is a so-called two-point boundary value problem (because your boundary conditions are given at two separate point ##t = 0## and ##t = 2##), so your condition at ##t = 0## is not enough, by itself. You do know ##u(0)##, so if you assume a value ##u(h)= c## as an unknown problem parameter, you will be able to carry out all the iterations in terms of a symbolic ##c##, until you reach ##t = 2##. At that point you will have ##u(2)## expressed as a linear function of the parameter ##c##, so you get an equation that determines ##c##.
 
Last edited:

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