MHB Solve Linear Inhomogeneous 2nd Order IVP: Joe Smalls' Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the linear inhomogeneous second-order initial value problem (IVP) given by the equation y" + 4y = sin(3t) with initial conditions y(0) = 1 and y'(0) = 17/5. The correct approach involves using the annihilator method to find the homogeneous solution y_h(t) = c_1 cos(2t) + c_2 sin(2t) and a particular solution y_p(t) = -1/5 sin(3t). By applying the initial conditions, the constants are determined as c_1 = 1 and c_2 = 2, leading to the final solution y(t) = cos(2t) + 2sin(2t) - (1/5)sin(3t).

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MarkFL
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Here is the question:

Solving this initial value problem?

So I'm trying to solve this:

y" + 4y = sin3t
y(0) =1
y'(0) = 17/5

I start by:

(D^2 + 4)(y) = sin3t
(D^2 + 9)(D^2 + 4)(y) = 0
y = C_1(cos3t) + C_2(sin3t) + C_3(cos2t) + C_4(sin2t)

Then I apply initial conditions:

1 = C_1 + C_3
17/5 = 3C_2 + 2C_4

After, I try to solve for a constant by plugging in the particular as y:

(D^2 + 9)(C_1(cos3t)) + C_2(sin3t)) = sin3t
-9C_1(cos3t) - 9C_2(sin3t) + 9C_1(cos3t) + 9C_2(sin3t) = sin3t
sin3t = 0

And that's where I'm stuck. The only thing I can think of is either that I made a mistake, or I can just assume C_1 = 0 because sin3t = 0 to make C_1(cos3t) + C_2(sin3t) = 0 be true. Any tips and help is appreciated!

If you must know, the answer is y = cos2t + 2sin2t - (1/5)(sin3t)

Also, if I can assume C_1 = 0, then I get C_3 = 1. But how do I solve for the other constants?

I have posted a link there to this thread so the OP can view my work.
 
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Re: Joe Smalls' question at Yahoo! Answers regarding a linear ingomogenous 2nd order IVP

Hello Joe Smalls,

We are given to solve:

$$y"+4y=\sin(3t)$$ where $$y(0)=1,\,y'(0)=\frac{17}{5}$$

You have correctly applied the annihilator method and from this we may conclude that the homogenous solution is:

$$y_h(t)=c_1\cos(2t)+c_2\sin(2t)$$

And the particular solution is of the form:

$$y_p(t)=A\cos(3t)+B\sin(3t)$$

Using the method of undetermined coefficients, we begin by observing that:

$$y_p''(t)=-9y_p(t)$$

And so, by substitution into the ODE, we obtain:

$$-5A\cos(3t)-5B\sin(3t)=0\cdot\cos(3t)+1\cdot\sin(3t)$$

Comparison of coefficients gives us:

$$A=0,\,B=-\frac{1}{5}$$

And so our particular solution is:

$$y_p(t)=-\frac{1}{5}\sin(3t)$$

And thus the general solution by superposition is:

$$y(t)=y_h(t)+y_p(t)=c_1\cos(2t)+c_2\sin(2t)-\frac{1}{5}\sin(3t)$$

Hence:

$$y'(t)=-2c_1\sin(2t)+2c_2\cos(2t)-\frac{3}{5}\cos(3t)$$

Now, using the initial values, we obtain the system:

$$y(0)=c_1=1$$

$$y'(0)=2c_2-\frac{3}{5}=\frac{17}{5}\implies c_2=2$$

And so we find the solution satisfying the given IVP is:

$$y(t)=\cos(2t)+2\sin(2t)-\frac{1}{5}\sin(3t)$$
 

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