Solve System with Repeated Eigenvalues

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a non-homogeneous system of differential equations with repeated eigenvalues, specifically the system x' = A x + f(t), where A = \(\begin{pmatrix} 7 & 1 \\ -4 & 3 \end{pmatrix}\) and f(t) = \(\begin{pmatrix} t \\ 2t \end{pmatrix}\). The eigenvalues are both 5, with the eigenvector (1, -2) and generalized eigenvector (0, 1). Participants confirmed that the variation of parameters method is applicable for solving the non-homogeneous part, and the matrix exponential approach can also be utilized.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential equations and systems of equations
  • Knowledge of eigenvalues and eigenvectors
  • Familiarity with the variation of parameters method
  • Basic understanding of matrix exponentials and Jordan canonical form
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  • Study the application of the variation of parameters method in non-homogeneous systems
  • Learn about matrix exponentials and their role in solving differential equations
  • Explore the Jordan canonical form and its significance in linear algebra
  • Review the process of verifying solutions to differential equations
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Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying differential equations, linear algebra, and systems theory. This discussion is beneficial for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of solving systems with repeated eigenvalues.

faradayscat
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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?
 
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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.
 

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