Solving Second order non - homogeneous Differential Equation

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the second-order non-homogeneous differential equation y’’ – 2 y’ – 3y = 64 e-x x using the method of undetermined coefficients. Participants explore the formulation of the particular solution and the appearance of a constant term in the final answer.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the differential equation and the complementary solution, questioning how a constant term appears in the answer despite not being included in their initial guess for the particular solution.
  • Another participant suggests that the constant term in the particular solution is unnecessary since it is already part of the complementary solution, indicating that it can be absorbed without affecting the outcome.
  • A later reply provides a detailed derivation of the particular solution, showing the steps to differentiate and substitute into the original equation, but does not clarify the resolution of the constant term issue.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of the constant term in the particular solution, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding its role in the final answer.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the form of the particular solution and the handling of terms in the complementary solution are not explicitly stated, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

ssh
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
To Solve y’’ – 2 y’ – 3y = 64 e-x x ---------------(1)
Using the method of undetermined coefficients :
The roots of the homogeneous equation are 3 and -1, so the complimentary solution is
y = c1 e3x + c2 e-x
Then the guess for the particular solution of (1) is e-x x (Ax + B)
The Answer in the book is e-x ( 8x2 + 4x +1 ).
But there is no constant term in the guess now how does it show up in the answer?
Can anyone help me with this?
Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ssh said:
To Solve y’’ – 2 y’ – 3y = 64 e-x x ---------------(1)
Using the method of undetermined coefficients :
The roots of the homogeneous equation are 3 and -1, so the complimentary solution is
y = c1 e3x + c2 e-x
Then the guess for the particular solution of (1) is e-x x (Ax + B)
The Answer in the book is e-x ( 8x2 + 4x +1 ).
But there is no constant term in the guess now how does it show up in the answer?
Can anyone help me with this?
Thanks

The second order ODE is...

$\displaystyle y^{\ ''} -2\ y^{\ '} -3\ y = 64\ x\ e^{-x}$ (1)

... and you have to find a particular solution of the form...

$\displaystyle g(x)= (a\ x^{2} + b\ x +c)\ e^{-x}$ (2)

Deriving (2) You obtain...

$\displaystyle g^{\ '}(x)= \{ b - c + (2 a - b)\ x - a\ x^{2}\}\ e^{- x}$ (3)

$\displaystyle g^{\ ''}(x)= \{ 2 (a - b) + c + (b-4 a)\ x + a x^{2}\}\ e^{-x}$ (4)

Now insert in (1) the (2), (3) and (4) and then solve for a and b and c ...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
ssh said:
To Solve y’’ – 2 y’ – 3y = 64 e-x x ---------------(1)
Using the method of undetermined coefficients :
The roots of the homogeneous equation are 3 and -1, so the complimentary solution is
y = c1 e3x + c2 e-x
Then the guess for the particular solution of (1) is e-x x (Ax + B)
The Answer in the book is e-x ( 8x2 + 4x +1 ).
But there is no constant term in the guess now how does it show up in the answer?
Can anyone help me with this?
Thanks

The $e^{-x}\cdot 1$ part of your particular solution is unnecessary, since that exact piece shows up in the complementary solution. That is, you could just absorb that part into the complementary solution. It doesn't hurt anything, but it doesn't help. Your guess for the particular solution is the correct one. Moving along:

\begin{align*}
y_{p}&=e^{-x}(Ax^{2}+Bx)\\
y_{p}'&=-e^{-x}(Ax^{2}+Bx)+e^{-x}(2Ax+B)=e^{-x}(-Ax^{2}+(2A-B)x+B)\\
y_{p}''&=-e^{-x}(-Ax^{2}+(2A-B)x+B)+e^{-x}(-2Ax+2A-B)\\
&=e^{-x}(Ax^{2}+(-4A+B)x+2A-2B).
\end{align*}
Hence,
\begin{align*}
y_{p}''-2y_{p}'-3y_{p}&=e^{-x}(Ax^{2}+(-4A+B)x+2A-2B)\\
&\quad+e^{-x}(2Ax^{2}+(-4A+2B)x-2B)\\
&\quad+e^{-x}(-3Ax^{2}-3Bx)\\
&=e^{-x}(-8Ax+2A-4B).
\end{align*}
Set this equal to the RHS of the original DE, and I think you're good to go.
 
Last edited:
Thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
640
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K