Partially decoupled linear system

[hover]

Homework Statement

x' = x-3y
y'= -2y

There are two solutions of this system that lie on straight lines, in the sense
that the ratio y(t)/x(t) is constant along each such solution. Find these lines and the
corresponding solutions.

Homework Equations

None in particular that I can think of

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't follow the question. I see that it asks for 2 particular solutions that are straight lines but how does y(t)/x(t) come into this to help me solve for them?

thanks

 

[Mark44]

Homework Statement

x' = x-3y
y'= -2y

There are two solutions of this system that lie on straight lines, in the sense
that the ratio y(t)/x(t) is constant along each such solution. Find these lines and the
corresponding solutions.

Homework Equations

None in particular that I can think of

The Attempt at a Solution

I don't follow the question. I see that it asks for 2 particular solutions that are straight lines but how does y(t)/x(t) come into this to help me solve for them?

thanks

I believe that where they're going with this problem is looking at the solutions if x' = 0 or y' = 0. Substitute 0 for x' and y' and you'll see that the solutions are straight lines, and the ratio y(t)/x(t) will make more sense.

 

[HallsofIvy]

I'm afraid (and amazed) that Mark44 is mistaken here (or I am misunderstanding him- more likely that). You are NOT looking for "equilibrium solutions" (where x'= 0 and y'= 0). The only equilibrium solution is (0, 0). What you are looking for are straight line solutions through (0, 0).

If y= mx, then y'= mx'. Since y'= x- 3y and y'= -2y, that says that -2y= m(x- 3y). but y= mx so that is -2mx= m(x- 3mx)= m(1- 3)x. Since that is to be true for all x, -2m= m(1- 3m). Can you solve that equation for m? What lines does that give you?

(The values of m, by the way, will be eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix,
\begin{bmatrix}1 & -3 \\ 0 & -2\end{bmatrix}
and the lines are in the direction of the eigenvectors.)

 

[Mark44]

I'm afraid (and amazed) that Mark44 is mistaken here (or I am misunderstanding him- more likely that).

It can happen that I am mistaken.