Second Order Non Homogeneous DE

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order non-homogeneous differential equation of the form y'' + 2y' + y = t. Participants explore methods for finding both the homogeneous and particular solutions, with various approaches being suggested and critiqued.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to solve the homogeneous equation using a polynomial form, while others suggest using the exponential form y = e^(rt) to find the characteristic equation.
  • There is discussion about the particular solution, with suggestions of using the annihilator method and questioning the appropriateness of assuming a linear form for Yp.
  • Participants raise questions about the correctness of initial attempts and the implications of repeated roots in the characteristic equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on the correct forms to use for both the homogeneous and particular solutions. Some participants express uncertainty about their previous approaches, while others confirm the validity of the annihilator method for this problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of initial conditions, which affects the general solution's constants. There is also mention of a misunderstanding regarding the assignment's hints, indicating that assumptions about the form of the solution may need to be reconsidered.

utility
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Find the solution to :y''+2y'+y=t

Homework Equations



Suppose y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3

And I believe, Y(t)=Yh+Yp. That is the solution is equal to the solution to the homogenous equation, plus the particular solution.

The Attempt at a Solution


First Solve the homogeneous equation:
y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3
y'(t)=2B1t+B2
y''(t)=2B1

Substitute this back into the homogenous problem(y''+2y'+y=0) gives:

2B1+2(2B1t+B2)+B1t2+B2t+B3=0

Rearrange:

B1(t2+4t+2) +B2(t+2)+B3=0

Solution is t=-2 or B1,B2,B3=0

Now I'm unsure of what to do?

As for the particular solution say Yp:

Yp=ct, where c is a constant so,
Y'p=c
Y''p=0

Substitute this into :y''+2y'+y=t
0+2c+ct=t

c=?

Thanks for any help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You should try using the annihilator method.

I got Yp=At+B
Yp'=A
Yp"=0 (A and B are constants)

plugging them back into the ODE :

2[A] + [At+B] = t

rearranging:

(2A+B)[1] + A[t] = t

so

A=1

2A+B=0


getting A=1 and B= -2

so then Yp= t-2

add it to Yh and you should get Y(t)
 
oh, and to find Yh just set the ODE = 0 and find the roots
 
utility said:

Homework Statement



Find the solution to :y''+2y'+y=t

Homework Equations



Suppose y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3

And I believe, Y(t)=Yh+Yp. That is the solution is equal to the solution to the homogenous equation, plus the particular solution.

The Attempt at a Solution


First Solve the homogeneous equation:
y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3
y'(t)=2B1t+B2
y''(t)=2B1

That is not the correct thing to try for the homogeneous solution. Try [itex]y = e^{rt}[/itex].
 
utility said:

Homework Statement



Find the solution to :y''+2y'+y=t

Homework Equations



Suppose y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3

And I believe, Y(t)=Yh+Yp. That is the solution is equal to the solution to the homogenous equation, plus the particular solution.

The Attempt at a Solution


First Solve the homogeneous equation:
y(t)=B1t2+B2t+B3
y'(t)=2B1t+B2
y''(t)=2B1
No, that is NOT how you solve for Yh.

Substitute this back into the homogenous problem(y''+2y'+y=0) gives:

2B1+2(2B1t+B2)+B1t2+B2t+B3=0

Rearrange:

B1(t2+4t+2) +B2(t+2)+B3=0

Solution is t=-2 or B1,B2,B3=0

Now I'm unsure of what to do?
That's because [itex]B1x^2+ B2x+ B3[/itex] is NOT a solution to the homogeneous equation. Use [itex]y= e^rt[/itex], as LCKurtz suggested, to get the "characteristic equation" to solve for r.

As for the particular solution say Yp:

Yp=ct, where c is a constant so,
Y'p=c
Y''p=0

Substitute this into :y''+2y'+y=t
0+2c+ct=t

c=?

Thanks for any help.
You cannot just let yp= ct. If the right hand side is a power of t, yp can be a polynomial nof degree at most that power- try yp= ct+ d.
 
Actually the annihilator method is correct. In fact I checked with my professor on this. The annihilator method takes out the factor of "guessing" a solution for the particular solution.

I even had my professor solve this and she got the same answer as I did, especially since we just went over this section in class.

Annihilator method is actually quite simple for this problem.
 
As for Yh, what I mean by set the ODE to 0 is:
y''+2y'+y=0

Let y''=r^2, y'=r, y=constant

ending up with:
r^2+2r+1=0

Factoring, you should end up with
(r+1)(r+1)=0

where r=-1,-1

Since this is a repeated root you should use:
Yh= c1*e^(rt) + c2*t*e^(rt)

Once you have Yh, then find Yp (particular solution) and add it to Yh for your general solution Y.

Just remember, since you DON'T have initial conditions

(for example: y'(0)=0, y(0)=1)

Your general solution is going to have constants c1 and c2 since there are no initial conditions given
 
Sorry for the late reply, yes I made a bad mistake with respect to the characteristic equation . I got it now though thanks!

Edit: I misunderstood the "hint" on the assignment. Every second order DE of this form, will have that solution given a single root.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K