Solve System with Repeated Eigenvalues

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a system of differential equations involving repeated eigenvalues and a non-homogeneous term. The system is represented in matrix form, and participants are exploring the implications of the repeated eigenvalues on the solution process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the identification of eigenvalues and eigenvectors, with some expressing confusion about the notation and setup of the system. Questions arise regarding the appropriate methods for solving the non-homogeneous part, particularly in the context of repeated eigenvalues and whether variation of parameters can be applied.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods, including the use of matrix exponentials and Laplace transforms. Some participants have provided clarifications on notation and have suggested checking solutions against the original differential equations. While there is no explicit consensus, various approaches are being considered and discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with the formulation of the system, particularly regarding the addition of matrices of different dimensions. There is also mention of the need to ensure that solutions satisfy the original differential equations.

faradayscat
Messages
57
Reaction score
8

Homework Statement


I want to solve this systemx' = \left( \begin{array}\\ 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{array} \right)x + \left( \begin{array}\\ t \\ 2t \end{array} \right)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



i found the eigenvalues to both be 5. The eigenvector is (1,-2) and the generalized eigenvector i found to be (0,1)

I'm confused on how to solve the non-homogeneous part, since I got repeated eigenvalues. Is the procedure the same? Can I use, say, variation of parameters to solve this?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
faradayscat said:

Homework Statement


I want to solve this system

x' = [(7,1),(-4,3)] + t[(1),(2)]

I apologize for being dense, but I don't understand this notation. Is the expression on the right a 2x2 matrix? If so, it would make it more readable if you used Tex notation:

\left( \begin{array}\\ 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{array} \right)
 
stevendaryl said:
I apologize for being dense, but I don't understand this notation. Is the expression on the right a 2x2 matrix? If so, it would make it more readable if you used Tex notation:

\left( \begin{array}\\ 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{array} \right)

Yes, that's right. I'm not really familiar with Latex, I'll have to read up on it. I've edited my post, thanks
 
faradayscat said:

Homework Statement


I want to solve this systemx' = \left( \begin{array}\\ 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{array} \right) + \left( \begin{array}\\ t \\ 2t \end{array} \right)
As written, this makes no sense. You can't add a 2 x 2 array to a 2 x1 array (column matrix).

This would make more sense if it were something like this:
##\vec{x'} = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}\vec{x} + \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{bmatrix}##

Here ##\vec{x}## means ##\begin{bmatrix} x_1 \\ x_2 \end{bmatrix}## and similar for its derivative.
faradayscat said:

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



i found the eigenvalues to both be 5. The eigenvector is (1,-2) and the generalized eigenvector i found to be (0,1)

I'm confused on how to solve the non-homogeneous part, since I got repeated eigenvalues. Is the procedure the same? Can I use, say, variation of parameters to solve this?
 
Mark44 said:
As written, this makes no sense. You can't add a 2 x 2 array to a 2 x1 array (column matrix).

This would make more sense if it were something like this:
##\vec{x'} = \begin{bmatrix} 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{bmatrix}\vec{x} + \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 2 \end{bmatrix}##

Here ##\vec{x}## means ##\begin{bmatrix} x_1 \\ x_2 \end{bmatrix}## and similar for its derivative.

Yes that's that I meant, sorry for the confusion. So could i set up a fundamental matrix with the homogeneous solutions and solve the non-homogeneous system with, say, variation of parameters? I tried and this is what I get:

x(t) = c1e5t\left( \begin{array}\\ -1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + c2e5t\left( \begin{array}\\ -t-1/2 \\ 2t \end{array} \right) - (t/25)\left( \begin{array}\\ 1 \\ 18 \end{array} \right) + (1/125)\left( \begin{array}\\ 3 \\ -26 \end{array} \right)

I checked my solution on wolfram and it's slightly different, which annoys me.
 
faradayscat said:
Yes that's that I meant, sorry for the confusion. So could i set up a fundamental matrix with the homogeneous solutions and solve the non-homogeneous system with, say, variation of parameters? I tried and this is what I get:

x(t) = c1e5t\left( \begin{array}\\ -1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) + c2e5t\left( \begin{array}\\ -t-1/2 \\ 2t \end{array} \right) - (t/25)\left( \begin{array}\\ 1 \\ 18 \end{array} \right) + (1/125)\left( \begin{array}\\ 3 \\ -26 \end{array} \right)

I checked my solution on wolfram and it's slightly different, which annoys me.
Just check that your solution satisfies the system of diff. equations.
 
faradayscat said:

Homework Statement


I want to solve this systemx' = \left( \begin{array}\\ 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{array} \right) + \left( \begin{array}\\ t \\ 2t \end{array} \right)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



i found the eigenvalues to both be 5. The eigenvector is (1,-2) and the generalized eigenvector i found to be (0,1)

I'm confused on how to solve the non-homogeneous part, since I got repeated eigenvalues. Is the procedure the same? Can I use, say, variation of parameters to solve this?

Isn't there a factor ##x## missing on the right? Should you not be dealing with the system
\pmatrix{x_1'\\x_2'} = \pmatrix{7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3} \pmatrix{x_1\\x_2} + \pmatrix{t \\2t} ?
You can either plug in the matrix exponential in the solution
{\mathbf{x}} = e^{At} \int_0^t e^{-A \tau} {\mathbf{f}}(\tau) \, d \tau
to your equation ##{\mathbf{x}}'(t) = A {\mathbf{x}}(t) + {\mathbf{f}}(t)##, or else use the Laplace-transform method.

As for the matrix exponential: you have ##A = P J P^{-1}##, where ##J## is the Jordan canonical form of ##A##:
J = \pmatrix{5 & 1 \\0 & 5}
Furthermore, for any scalar ##x## we have ##e^{Ax} = P e^{Jx} P^{-1}##, and ##e^{Jx}## is easy to determine; see
webpages on matrix exponentials.
 
Mark44 said:
Just check that your solution satisfies the system of diff. equations.

I just checked, and its satisfied. Thanks!
 
Ray Vickson said:
Isn't there a factor ##x## missing on the right? Should you not be dealing with the system
\pmatrix{x_1'\\x_2'} = \pmatrix{7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3} \pmatrix{x_1\\x_2} + \pmatrix{t \\2t} ?
You can either plug in the matrix exponential in the solution
{\mathbf{x}} = e^{At} \int_0^t e^{-A \tau} {\mathbf{f}}(\tau) \, d \tau
to your equation ##{\mathbf{x}}'(t) = A {\mathbf{x}}(t) + {\mathbf{f}}(t)##, or else use the Laplace-transform method.

As for the matrix exponential: you have ##A = P J P^{-1}##, where ##J## is the Jordan canonical form of ##A##:
J = \pmatrix{5 & 1 \\0 & 5}
Furthermore, for any scalar ##x## we have ##e^{Ax} = P e^{Jx} P^{-1}##, and ##e^{Jx}## is easy to determine; see
webpages on matrix exponentials.

Yes, I forgot the vector 'x' next to the coefficient matrix. Thanks for your tips, I actually did the variation of parameters method and everything worked out after I checked my solution as Mark44 suggested.
 
  • #10
Thanks everyone, I have no further questions.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
2K