Second order linear system and power series: Differential Equations

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clarineterr
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Homework Statement


Find a third degree polynomial approximation for the general solution to the differential equation:

[tex]\frac{d^{2}y}{dt^{2}}[/tex] +3[tex]\frac{dy}{dt}[/tex]+2y= ln(t+1)

Homework Equations


Power series expansion for ln(t+1)


The Attempt at a Solution



The system to the corresponding homogeneous equation [tex]\frac{d^{2}y}{dt^{2}}[/tex] +3[tex]\frac{dy}{dt}[/tex]+2y = 0

is y(t) = k1e-t +k2e-2t

Then I guessed[tex]\frac{ at^{3}}{3}[/tex]-[tex]\frac{bt^{2}}{2}[/tex]+ct as a solution for the original equation. Plugging this in I got a=1/2, b=2,c=2/3

But then I still have the t[tex]^{4}[/tex], t[tex]^{5}[/tex] terms, etc left in the equation. I am not quite sure how a third degree polynomial can be a solution to this equation.
 
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clarineterr said:
I am not quite sure how a third degree polynomial can be a solution to this equation.
Because it will be an approximation not really the solution itself.