Second Order Differential Initial Value Problem

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danielu13
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Homework Statement



y''+4y'+6y
y(0) = 2; y'(0) = 4

Homework Equations



[itex]\alpha ± β = e^{x\alpha}(cosβx + sinβx)[/itex]



The Attempt at a Solution



Auxilary equation is [itex]r^2+4r+6[/itex], which solves for [itex]-2 ± i[/itex]

I get the general solution:

[itex]e^{-2x}(c[/itex]1[itex]cosx + c[/itex]2[itex]sinx)[/itex]

[itex]y' = -2e^{-2x}(c[/itex]1[itex]cosx + c[/itex]2[itex]sinx) + e^{2x}(c[/itex]2[itex]cosx - c[/itex]1[itex]sinx)[/itex]

[itex]= c[/itex]1[itex](cosx-sinx) + c[/itex]2[itex](cosx+sinx) = 4[/itex]

I also have:

c1 + c2 = 2 from the initial value.

I now have a system of equations, but don't really know how to solve it without using a computer.
 
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No no, the system of equations produces infinitely many solutions, but the initial value given gives a specific solution curve when you solve for the constants.
 
That's what I was thinking, but I just can't think of how to solve for the constants without using a system of equations at the moment. I know how to solve it when [itex]\alpha = 0[/itex], but not sure how to do this.
 
danielu13 said:
That's what I was thinking, but I just can't think of how to solve for the constants without using a system of equations at the moment. I know how to solve it when [itex]\alpha = 0[/itex], but not sure how to do this.

You have two equations. You get one from solving the initial value problem for y and one for solving the initial value problem for y'.

They will give you a system of 2 equations in 2 unknowns c1, c2.

Solving for both unknowns will give you the particular equation for y which will satisfy your initial values.
 
Oh, I completely overlooked inputting the x values into the equations for some reason. Thanks though!