Solving ##y'' - 5 y' - 6y = e^{3x}## using Laplace Transform

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving the differential equation \(y'' - 5y' - 6y = e^{3x}\) with initial conditions \(y(0) = 2\) and \(y'(0) = 1\) using the Laplace Transform method. Participants are exploring the application of the Laplace Transform and its implications for finding the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the Laplace Transform to the given differential equation, including the transformation of initial conditions and the resulting algebraic manipulation. Some participants raise questions about arithmetic errors in the calculations and suggest verifying results using computational tools.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants identifying potential mistakes in the original poster's calculations and suggesting alternative methods for verification. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the solutions presented, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of checking arithmetic and the completeness of the solution, particularly regarding the inhomogeneous part of the equation. The original poster expresses confusion regarding discrepancies between their results and those found in a textbook.

Hall
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Homework Statement
Nil
Relevant Equations
Nil
We have to solve
$$
\begin{align*}
y'' - 5y' - 6y = e^{3x} \\
y(0) = 2,~~ y'(0) = 1 \\
\end{align*}
$$
Applying Laplace Transform the equation
$$
\begin{align*}
L [ y''] - 5 L[y'] - 6 L[y] = L [ e^{3x} ] \\
s^2 Y(s) - \left( s y(0) + y'(0) \right) - 5s Y(s) + y(0) - 6 Y(s) = \frac{1}{s-3} \\
Y(s) \{ s^2 - 5s - 6\} = \frac{1}{s-3} + 2s - 9 \\
Y(s) = \frac{2s^2 - 15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
\textrm{On Partial Fraction Decomposition}\\
\frac{A}{s-3} + \frac{B}{s+1} + \frac{C}{s-6} = \frac{2s^2 -15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
A (s+1)(s-6) + B(s-3)(s-6) + C (s-3)(s+1) = 2s^2 -15s +27 \\
\textrm{putting s =6} \\
21C = 9 \implies C = \frac{3}{7} \\
\textrm{similarly,} \\
s = -1 ~\text{gives}~ B = 11/7 \\
s = 3 ~ \text{gives} ~ A = 0\\
\textrm{Thus,}~~ y_p = 11/7 L^{-1} [1/(s+1)] + 3/7 L^{-1} [1/(s-6)] \\
y_p = 11/7 e^{-x} + 3/7 e^{6x}
\end{align*}
$$

But this doesn't match with the answer given in the book. Where is my mistake?
 
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For starters, <br /> \frac{1}{s-3} + 2s - 9 = \frac{1 + (2s-9)(s-3)}{s-3} = \frac{2s^2 - 15s + 28}{s-3}.
 
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At the end of your third line, I think I get a -1 instead of a -9.
In general, it would be good for you to double-check your arithmetic.
 
May I suggest using Wolfram alpha or similar (Mathematica is great if you have access to it) to double check arithmetic?
 
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Hall said:
Homework Statement:: Nil
Relevant Equations:: Nil

We have to solve
$$
\begin{align*}
y'' - 5y' - 6y = e^{3x} \\
y(0) = 2,~~ y'(0) = 1 \\
\end{align*}
$$
Applying Laplace Transform the equation
$$
\begin{align*}
L [ y''] - 5 L[y'] - 6 L[y] = L [ e^{3x} ] \\
s^2 Y(s) - \left( s y(0) + y'(0) \right) - 5s Y(s) + y(0) - 6 Y(s) = \frac{1}{s-3} \\
Y(s) \{ s^2 - 5s - 6\} = \frac{1}{s-3} + 2s - 9 \\
Y(s) = \frac{2s^2 - 15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
\textrm{On Partial Fraction Decomposition}\\
\frac{A}{s-3} + \frac{B}{s+1} + \frac{C}{s-6} = \frac{2s^2 -15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
A (s+1)(s-6) + B(s-3)(s-6) + C (s-3)(s+1) = 2s^2 -15s +27 \\
\textrm{putting s =6} \\
21C = 9 \implies C = \frac{3}{7} \\
\textrm{similarly,} \\
s = -1 ~\text{gives}~ B = 11/7 \\
s = 3 ~ \text{gives} ~ A = 0\\
\textrm{Thus,}~~ y_p = 11/7 L^{-1} [1/(s+1)] + 3/7 L^{-1} [1/(s-6)] \\
y_p = 11/7 e^{-x} + 3/7 e^{6x}
\end{align*}
$$

But this doesn't match with the answer given in the book. Where is my mistake?
I find the method of characteristic to be straightforward ...i.e

Let

##m^2-5m-6=0##

##m_1=-1## ##m_2=6## therefore,

##y = Ae^{-x} + Be^{6x}## on applying boundary condition; ##y(0)=2## we shall have

##2=A+B##
and on applying the second boundary condition; ##y^{'}(0)=1## we shall have

##1=-A+6B##

solving the simultaneous equation;

##2=A+B##
##1=-A+6B##

yields;

##A=\dfrac{11}{7}## and ##B=\dfrac{3}{7}## therefore our complementary solution is;

##y_c(x) =\dfrac{11}{7} e^{-x} + \dfrac{3}{7} e^{6x}## now on the inhomogenous part;

Let ##y_p(x)= Ce^{3x}##

##y^{'}_p(x)= 3Ce^{3x}##

##y^{''}_p(x)= 9Ce^{3x}## therefore;

##9Ce^{3x}-15Ce^{3x}-6Ce^{3x}= e^{3x}##

##-12Ce^{3x}=e^{3x}##

##C=-\dfrac{1}{12}##

Therefore ##y(x)= y_c(x) + y_p(x)= \dfrac{11}{7} e^{-x} + \dfrac{3}{7} e^{6x}-\dfrac{1}{12}e^{3x}##
 
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Hall said:
Homework Statement:: Nil
Relevant Equations:: Nil

We have to solve
$$
\begin{align*}
y'' - 5y' - 6y = e^{3x} \\
y(0) = 2,~~ y'(0) = 1 \\
\end{align*}
$$
Applying Laplace Transform the equation
$$
\begin{align*}
L [ y''] - 5 L[y'] - 6 L[y] = L [ e^{3x} ] \\
s^2 Y(s) - \left( s y(0) + y'(0) \right) - 5s Y(s) + y(0) - 6 Y(s) = \frac{1}{s-3} \\
Y(s) \{ s^2 - 5s - 6\} = \frac{1}{s-3} + 2s - 9 \\
Y(s) = \frac{2s^2 - 15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
\textrm{On Partial Fraction Decomposition}\\
\frac{A}{s-3} + \frac{B}{s+1} + \frac{C}{s-6} = \frac{2s^2 -15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
A (s+1)(s-6) + B(s-3)(s-6) + C (s-3)(s+1) = 2s^2 -15s +27 \\
\textrm{putting s =6} \\
21C = 9 \implies C = \frac{3}{7} \\
\textrm{similarly,} \\
s = -1 ~\text{gives}~ B = 11/7 \\
s = 3 ~ \text{gives} ~ A = 0\\
\textrm{Thus,}~~ y_p = 11/7 L^{-1} [1/(s+1)] + 3/7 L^{-1} [1/(s-6)] \\
y_p = 11/7 e^{-x} + 3/7 e^{6x}
\end{align*}
$$

But this doesn't match with the answer given in the book. Where is my mistake?
Where is your solution for the inhomogenous part?...your answer does not look complete to me! just check if my solution is correct. Cheers.
 
Hall said:
Homework Statement:: Nil
Relevant Equations:: Nil

We have to solve
$$
\begin{align*}
y'' - 5y' - 6y = e^{3x} \\
y(0) = 2,~~ y'(0) = 1 \\
\end{align*}
$$
Applying Laplace Transform the equation
$$
\begin{align*}
L [ y''] - 5 L[y'] - 6 L[y] = L [ e^{3x} ] \\
s^2 Y(s) - \left( s y(0) + y'(0) \right) - 5s Y(s) + y(0) - 6 Y(s) = \frac{1}{s-3} \\
Y(s) \{ s^2 - 5s - 6\} = \frac{1}{s-3} + 2s - 9 \\
Y(s) = \frac{2s^2 - 15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
\textrm{On Partial Fraction Decomposition}\\
\frac{A}{s-3} + \frac{B}{s+1} + \frac{C}{s-6} = \frac{2s^2 -15s +27}{(s-3) (s+1) (s-6)} \\
A (s+1)(s-6) + B(s-3)(s-6) + C (s-3)(s+1) = 2s^2 -15s +27 \\
\textrm{putting s =6} \\
21C = 9 \implies C = \frac{3}{7} \\
\textrm{similarly,} \\
s = -1 ~\text{gives}~ B = 11/7 \\
s = 3 ~ \text{gives} ~ A = 0\\
\textrm{Thus,}~~ y_p = 11/7 L^{-1} [1/(s+1)] + 3/7 L^{-1} [1/(s-6)] \\
y_p = 11/7 e^{-x} + 3/7 e^{6x}
\end{align*}
$$

But this doesn't match with the answer given in the book. Where is my mistake?
Taking the Laplace transform of ##5y’## you have transformed this to ##5sY(s) - y(0)##…
 
chwala said:
Where is your solution for the inhomogenous part?...your answer does not look complete to me! just check if my solution is correct. Cheers.
The Laplace transform gets both the homogeneous and inhomogeneous parts since it solves the differential equation including the initial conditions.

Yes, you can use the characteristic equation, but the OP specifically asked about the Laplace transform method.
 
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