Solving ODE by Laplace Transform: Where Did I Go Wrong?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) using the Laplace transform. The specific equation is xy'' + y' + 4xy = 0, with initial conditions y(0) = 3 and y'(0) = 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the application of the Laplace transform to the given ODE, discussing the transformations of the derivatives and the resulting equations. There is a focus on identifying errors in the manipulation of terms, particularly regarding the negative sign in the derivative of the Laplace transform.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaged in clarifying the steps taken in the derivation process. Some have identified potential mistakes in the algebraic manipulation of the terms, while others suggest continuing the derivation from corrected expressions. There is no explicit consensus on the resolution yet, but the discussion is moving towards a clearer understanding of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of guidance provided. The original poster expresses confusion about specific algebraic steps, indicating a need for careful review of the transformations applied.

roughwinds
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Homework Statement


Use Laplace transform to solve the following ODE

Homework Equations


xy'' + y' + 4xy = 0, y(0) = 3, y'(0) = 0

The Attempt at a Solution


L(xy'') = -\frac{dL(y'')}{ds}

L(4xy) = -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds}

L(y'') = s²L(y) - sy(0) - y'(0) = s²L(y) -3s

L(y') = sL(y) - sy(0) - y(0) = sL(y) - 3

-\frac{d(s²L(y)-3s)}{ds} + sL(y)-\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + 3 + sL(y) - 3 -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{dL(y)(s²+4)}{ds} + sL(y) =0 (1)

\frac{dL(y)}{L(y)} = \frac{sds}{s²+4}

Integrating both sides

ln(L(y)) = \frac{ln(s²+4)}{2} + c

L(y) = c\sqrt{s²+4}

which won't lead me to the right answer.

I realized that if at (1) I use \frac{L(y)(s² + 4)}{ds} + sL(y) =0 instead I'll reach the right answer according to wolfram, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong to end up with that negative sign.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=xy''+++y'+++4xy+=+0,+y(0)+=+3,+y'(0)+=+0
 
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roughwinds said:
xy'' + y' + 4xy = 0, y(0) = 3, y'(0) = 0

L(xy'') = -\frac{dL(y'')}{ds}

L(4xy) = -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds}

L(y'') = s²L(y) - sy(0) - y'(0) = s²L(y) -3s

L(y') = sL(y) - sy(0) - y(0) = sL(y) - 3

-\frac{d(s²L(y)-3s)}{ds} + sL(y)-\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + 3 + sL(y) - 3 -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{s²L(y)}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

-\frac{L(y)(s²+4)}{ds} + sL(y) =0 (1)

\frac{dL(y)}{L(y)} = \frac{sds}{s²+4}

Integrating both sides

ln(L(y)) = \frac{ln(s²+4)}{2} + c

L(y) = c\sqrt{s²+4}

which won't lead me to the right answer.

I realized that if at (1) I use \frac{L(y)(s² + 4)}{ds} + sL(y) =0 instead I'll reach the right answer according to wolfram, but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong to end up with that negative sign.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=xy''+++y'+++4xy+=+0,+y(0)+=+3,+y'(0)+=+0
Something went wrong from:
-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + 3 + sL(y) - 3 -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
to
-\frac{s²L(y)}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

Check what you did with the ##-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds}## term.
 
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Samy_A said:
Something went wrong from:
-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + 3 + sL(y) - 3 -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
to
-\frac{s²L(y)}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0

Check what you did with the ##-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds}## term.
It's supposed to be
-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
fixed it on the original post.
 
roughwinds said:
It's supposed to be
-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
fixed it on the original post.
Ok, so now continue your derivation from that.
 
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Samy_A said:
Ok, so now continue your derivation from that.
-\frac{d(s²L(y))}{ds} = -2sL(y) - \frac{s²d(L(y))}{ds}
-2sL(y) - \frac{s²d(L(y))}{ds} + sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
- \frac{s²d(L(y))}{ds} - sL(y) -\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
\frac{s²d(L(y))}{ds} + sL(y) +\frac{4dL(y)}{ds} =0
\frac{d(L(y))(s²+4)}{ds} + sL(y) =0

Thanks, I initially solved as if s² wasn't part of the derivative.
 

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