Trial Solutions of Particular Integrals?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Davio
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integrals trial
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of particular integrals in the context of solving linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Participants explore methods for determining trial solutions and equating coefficients, while sharing their working and challenges faced in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how to start with trial solutions for particular integrals, specifically for the equation Y" + 2y' + 2y = cos x.
  • Another participant advises against guessing values for coefficients and encourages following the method outlined in their notes.
  • A participant proposes a particular integral of PI = 1/5 cos x + 2/5 sin x, but later questions its correctness after substituting back into the original equation.
  • Discussion includes mention of D operators as a potentially helpful method for linear ODEs, although one participant notes that they have not learned about them yet.
  • One participant revises their particular integral to PI = 1/10 cos x + 1/5 sin x but remains uncertain about the correctness of their calculations.
  • Another participant confirms that the original proposed solution was correct and offers to help identify mistakes in the working shown by the first participant.
  • Finally, a participant shares their general solution, which they believe is correct after comparing it with a friend's work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of confidence in their solutions, with some confirming earlier proposals while others remain uncertain about their calculations. There is no clear consensus on the best method to approach the problem, and multiple viewpoints on the use of trial solutions and methods exist.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention missing lectures and the impact on their understanding, indicating that their discussions may depend on incomplete knowledge of the topic. There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the coefficients used in the trial solutions.

Who May Find This Useful

Students learning about particular integrals and linear ordinary differential equations, as well as those interested in different methods for solving such equations.

Davio
Messages
65
Reaction score
0
Hiya, I'm having trouble understanding particular integrals at the moment. From what I understand, you have to try trial solutions, unfortunately I've got no idea how to start? Google doesn't turn up anything .. I think I need to examine the equation, and somehow determine its form?

For example this is what I'm currently trying to solve :

Y" + 2y` +2y = cos x

y=?

From my notes, if f(x) = A cos wx + A1 sin wx then y = a0 cos wx + a1 sin wx
From this, I'm guessing A1=0? so y=a1 sin wx
and y' is a1 w cos wx
and y'' is -a1 w^2 wx

And then I'm stuck, how do I now find the PI?

ps. Does anyone have any good notes on the PI and relavent methods to determine what form its in?

Sorry for the messy post, the working came to me as I was typing out the post!
Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Davio said:
I'm guessing A1=0?

Hi Davio! :smile:

Don't guess!

Don't take short-cuts ("more haste, less speed")! :frown:

Learn the method in your notes, and follow it!

Use a0 and a1, and you should get a solution! :smile:
 
After a bit of thought ... and more deciphering of my notes (missing just one lecture makes everything so much more hard!), I've come up with:
PI= 1/5 cos x + 2/5 sin x

from me putting in the equations, and equating coefficients with A0=1 and A1=0 (on the premise that 0 sin x = 0).
Putting that back into the original equation.. doesn't get me the right answer, I'll muse on it, thanks for the reply :D
 
Hey Davio
Have you guys learned about D operators?
I found that method to help immensely when dealing with linear ODE's.
Good luck!

Edit: They're not going to help us here with the particular integral since [tex]\cos x[/tex] is infinitely differentiable. D operators are still worth a look though :)
 
Last edited:
D operators? Nope never heard of them :-D, I'll learn it after my exams, since I think they would be quite strict if I used something they didn't teach me to solve their questions :-p

I now have PI= 1/10 cos x + 1/5 sin x, which equals to 1/2 cos x = 1 cos x ..
Still not sure why? I've checked my working a few times, but I don't see any obvious errors.

a0 (c-aw^2)+a1 . b . w =A0

-a0 . b .w + a1 (c-aw^2) =A1

With A1 =0 and A0 = 1
and a=1 b=2 c=2

a0=? a1=?
 
Oh God, I was right the first time, thanks guys! :-p
 
Hi Davio! :smile:

Your original solution, "PI= 1/5 cos x + 2/5 sin x", was correct.

Just put it back into the equation, and it gives cosx. Try it again! :smile:

Then I used your equations (with w = 1), and I got the same result, 1/5 cos x + 2/5 sin x.

I don't understand how you keep making these mistakes. :confused:

If you type out your whole working, I'll try to spot where you went wrong.

ok, now you've got a PI, what about the general solution?

(btw, I always use the D method … what method have you been taught?)
 
Hey, yeah, I made a mistake the second time round, probabily due to me staring at the question too long, thanks for help though!
I worked out the gen solution to be e^x (C cos x + D cos x) + 1/5 cos x + 2/5 sin x. Which in comparson to my friends working, is correct! :-D
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
9K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K