Solving Exponential Differential Equations with Initial Conditions

[Gspace]

Homework Statement

Here is the question: solve y'[t]+0.2y[t]=Sin[t] with y[0]=15.3

How do I come up with a formula for y[t]?

Thanks in advance!

Homework Equations

y[t]= starter+e^-rt

The Attempt at a Solution

I attempted to solve the equation as is. After doing some algebra, y[t]=15.3e^-0.2 and when put back into the original equation ( y'[t]+0.2y[t]=Sin[t]), and taking y'[t], I get 0 on the LHS of the equation which doesn't equal sin[t]. I know that isn't right. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Mark44]

You need to look at this in two parts:
The complementary solution to the homogeneous equation y' + 0.2y = 0. (Call this y_c.)

A particular solution to the nonhomogeneous equation y' + 0.2y = sin(t). (Call this y_p.)

For y_c, you should have y_c = c₁e^-.2t.

For the particular solution, try y_p = Asin(t) + Bcos(t). Substitute this into your differential equation so that you can find the coefficients A and B.

The general solution is y = y_h + y_p. The initial condition can be used to get c₁.

 

[Gspace]

Would yp= y'[t]+0.2y[t]-sin[t]= Asin(t) + Bcos(t)?

 

[LCKurtz]

You could also note that e^.2t is an integrating factor. Multiply the equation through by that and integrate both sides of the resulting equation from 0 to t.

 

[Mark44]

Would yp= y'[t]+0.2y[t]-sin[t]= Asin(t) + Bcos(t)?

No.
y' + .2y - sin(t) \equiv 0 for any solution of the original differential equation.
y_p \neq 0, nor is Asin(t) + Bcos(t).

 

[Gspace]

Ok. So, y'[Asin(t) + Bcos(t)]+0.2y[Asin(t) + Bcos(t)]=sin[t]?

 

[Mark44]

Your notation is off a bit, but I understand what you're trying to say, which is this:
d/dt(Asin(t) + Bcos(t)) + 0.2(Asin(t) + Bcos(t)) = sin(t)

The equation above has to be identically true; i.e., true for all values of t. For this reason, the coefficients of the sine and cosine terms on the left have to be equal to the same coefficients on the right.

 

[Gspace]

Mark44,

So, I can chose whatever co-effiecients I want?...to test it.

 

[Mark44]

For A and B? No, you have to solve for them. See what I said in post #7.

 

[Gspace]

Mark44,

That helped. Thanks. What changes when the differential equation is

(y^\[Prime])[t]= - 0.2 y[t] + Sin[t] with y[0]=15.3 and I need to come up with the

formula for y[t]?

 

[Mark44]

Nothing changes. This equation is equivalent to the one on your OP, and the initial condition is the same, too.

Why do you write y' in such a complicated form? I.e., (y^\[Prime])[t]. This is much simpler as y' or y'(t).

 

[Green Destiny]

I'm just hijacking this old thread for a second, sorry in advance

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