Solving second order non homogeneous differential equation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving a second order non-homogeneous differential equation of the form y'' - 2y' + 5y = e^{x}(cos^{2}(x) + x^{2}). Participants are exploring methods to find a particular solution after solving the associated homogeneous equation.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of Undetermined Coefficients and the method of annihilators as potential approaches for finding a particular solution. There is consideration of the appropriate form for the particular solution, with suggestions to include terms multiplied by e^{x} due to the non-homogeneous part of the equation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on adjusting the trial solution to account for terms already present in the complementary solution. There is an ongoing exploration of different methods, including the use of the Shift theorem and inverted operator techniques, with no explicit consensus reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of selecting the correct form for the particular solution, particularly in light of the presence of terms like cos^{2}(x) and x^{2} in the non-homogeneous part. There is acknowledgment of the need to modify trial solutions to avoid overlap with the complementary solution.

the0
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Homework Statement



The problem is to solve:

[itex]y''-2y'+5y = e^{x}(cos^{2}(x)+x^{2})[/itex]


Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



I (think I) have solved the associated homogeneous equation:

[itex]y''-2y'+5y = 0[/itex]

giving the solution as:

[itex]y_{h} = e^{x}(C_{1}cos(2x)+C_{2}sin(2x))[/itex]
(This could of course be rearranged using the trig identities... would that help?)

And now I don't know how to go about finding a particular solution, could somebody please point me in the right direction as to which method I could use?
Thanks a lot!
 
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I would suggest the method of finding a particular solution with the method of Undetermined Coefficients, more formally known as the method of annihilators. Have you studied that?
 
Yes I have studied this method (a little) however I am struggling to choose the right form for the particular solution:

Should [itex]y_{p} = Asin(2x)+Bcos(2x)+e^{x}(C+Dx+Ex^{2})[/itex] work?
 
the0 said:
Yes I have studied this method (a little) however I am struggling to choose the right form for the particular solution:

Should [itex]y_{p} = Asin(2x)+Bcos(2x)+e^{x}(C+Dx+Ex^{2})[/itex] work?

That ##\cos^2x## on the right side of your DE is ##\frac{1+\cos(2x)} 2## so you basically have a term ##e^x(\frac{1+\cos(2x)} 2)## in the NH term. So there's no reason to expect ##\sin(2x)## and ##\cos(2x)## to work. You would want to multiply them by ##e^x##. But that is in the complementary solution. So how do you fix that?
 
would simply multiplying by [itex]x[/itex] solve this?
i.e.
[itex]y_{p} = e^{x}(Axsin(2x)+Bxcos(2x)+C+Dx+Ex^{2})[/itex]
 
the0 said:
would simply multiplying by [itex]x[/itex] solve this?
i.e.
[itex]y_{p} = e^{x}(Axsin(2x)+Bxcos(2x)+C+Dx+Ex^{2})[/itex]

Well, that's the standard fix for that situation. I think that is a good trial for the particular solution. Only way to be sure you haven't overlooked something is to go ahead and try it
 
the0 said:
And now I don't know how to go about finding a particular solution, could somebody please point me in the right direction as to which method I could use?
Thanks a lot!
How about the method of inverted operator techniques? (which i personally find easier). Although some people use the Wronskian method, i think.

The D operator is simply [itex]\frac{d}{dx}[/itex].
Expressing first, the L.H.S. in terms of D: [itex]L(D)=D^2-2D+5[/itex], where L(D) is a function of D.
[tex]L(D)y_p=e^x(cos^{2}(x)+x^{2})[/tex]
So, [tex]y_p=\frac{1}{L(D)}(e^xcos^{2}(x)+e^xx^{2})<br /> \\y_p=\frac{1}{L(D)}e^xcos^{2}(x)+\frac{1}{L(D)}e^xx^{2}[/tex]
Here, [itex]y_p=y_1+y_2[/itex],
[tex]y_1=\frac{1}{L(D)}e^xcos^{2}(x)[/tex]
[tex]y_2=\frac{1}{L(D)}e^xx^{2}[/tex]
Now, you have to use the Shift theorem to evaluate both [itex]y_1[/itex] and [itex]y_2[/itex].
The Shift theorem simply shifts D to (D+a) and simultaneously separates [itex]e^x[/itex] from [itex](cos^2x+x^2)[/itex].

To find [itex]y_1[/itex]:
[tex]y_1=\frac{1}{L(D)}e^xcos^{2}(x)=\frac{1}{(D^2-2D+5)}e^xcos^{2}(x)[/tex]
Applying the Shift theorem:
[tex]y_1=e^x\frac{1}{((D+1)^2-2(D+1)+5)}cos^{2}(x)<br /> \\=e^x\frac{1}{(D^2+5)}cos^{2}(x)<br /> \\=e^x\frac{1}{(D^2+5)}(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2} \cos 2x)<br /> \\=e^x\frac{1}{(D^2+5)}(\frac{1}{2})+e^x\frac{1}{(D^2+5)}(\frac{1}{2} \cos 2x)<br /> \\=e^x(\frac{1}{10})+e^x(\frac{1}{2} \cos 2x)<br /> \\=e^x(\frac{1}{10}+\frac{1}{2} \cos 2x)[/tex]
Now, find [itex]y_2[/itex]. Applying the Shift theorem again, you'll get:
[tex]y_2=e^x\frac{1}{(D^2+5)}x^2<br /> \\=e^x(\frac{1}{5}-\frac{D^2}{25})x^2<br /> \\=e^x(\frac{1}{5}x^2-\frac{2}{25})[/tex]
Therefore, [tex]y_p=e^x(\frac{1}{10}+\frac{1}{2} \cos 2x)+e^x(\frac{1}{5}x^2-\frac{2}{25})<br /> \\=\frac{1}{50}e^x+\frac{1}{5}e^xx^2+ \frac {1}{2} e^x \cos 2x[/tex]
The final answer (the general solution) is: [itex]y_c+y_p[/itex] where [itex]y_c[/itex] is the complementary function that you've already obtained in your first post.
 
Last edited:

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