Undetermined Coefficients problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order linear differential equation of the form y'' + 4y' - 5y = -435sin(2t) with specified initial conditions. Participants are attempting to find the unique solution while addressing the method of undetermined coefficients.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the general solution and complementary function, with some attempting to derive coefficients A and B for the particular solution. Questions arise regarding the correctness of the characteristic equation and the values of A and B.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations involved in finding the coefficients for the particular solution. Some participants suggest reviewing the algebraic steps taken, while others point out potential errors in the values obtained for A and B.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem's initial conditions and the requirement to find a unique solution. There is a noted emphasis on verifying the correctness of the derived equations and coefficients.

DanielJackins
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Homework Statement



Find the unique solution to the differential equation

y''+4y'−5y=−435sin(2t)

satisfying the initial conditions y(0)=29 and y'(0)=47

The Attempt at a Solution



So (I think) I found the correct general solution. I let y(t)=Acos(2t)+Bsin(2t) and eventually worked it out to be A = -24 and B = 27, giving me y(t) = -24cos(2t)+27sin(2t). I found the auxiliary equation as well, y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t), and then if I'm not mistaken I add them together.

This gives me y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), and y' = c1e^t-5c2e^(-5t)+48sin(2t)+54cos(2t). I subbed in the initial values, and got c1 = 43 and c2 = 10. So finally, I had y(t) = 43e^t+10e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), which was incorrect. Anybody see what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!
 
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DanielJackins said:

Homework Statement



Find the unique solution to the differential equation

y''+4y'−5y=−435sin(2t)

satisfying the initial conditions y(0)=29 and y'(0)=47

The Attempt at a Solution



So (I think) I found the correct general solution. I let y(t)=Acos(2t)+Bsin(2t) and eventually worked it out to be A = -24 and B = 27, giving me y(t) = -24cos(2t)+27sin(2t). I found the auxiliary equation as well, y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t), and then if I'm not mistaken I add them together.

This gives me y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), and y' = c1e^t-5c2e^(-5t)+48sin(2t)+54cos(2t). I subbed in the initial values, and got c1 = 43 and c2 = 10. So finally, I had y(t) = 43e^t+10e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), which was incorrect. Anybody see what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!

It appears you didn't do a characteristic equation.

eg. y'' + 0y' -1y = -578sin(4t)

r^2 - 1 = 0
 
I thought I did? I said r^2+4r-5 = 0, which gave me r = 1 and r = -5, giving me the equation y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t)
 
DanielJackins said:

Homework Statement



Find the unique solution to the differential equation

y''+4y'−5y=−435sin(2t)

satisfying the initial conditions y(0)=29 and y'(0)=47

The Attempt at a Solution



So (I think) I found the correct general solution. I let y(t)=Acos(2t)+Bsin(2t) and eventually worked it out to be A = -24 and B = 27, giving me y(t) = -24cos(2t)+27sin(2t). I found the auxiliary equation as well, y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t), and then if I'm not mistaken I add them together.

This gives me y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), and y' = c1e^t-5c2e^(-5t)+48sin(2t)+54cos(2t). I subbed in the initial values, and got c1 = 43 and c2 = 10. So finally, I had y(t) = 43e^t+10e^(-5t)-24cos(2t)+27sin(2t), which was incorrect. Anybody see what I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!

Your auxiliar equation is r^2 + 4r - 5 = 0, factorising that you get r=1 and r=-5 just like you said. The complementary function should be y(t) = c1e^(r1t) + c2e^(r2t) where r1 and r2 are the roots of the auxiliar equation.

Regarding A and B of your trial solution, I'd check your working again because one of the signs might be wrong.

Once you find both the constants of the trial solution, you add it to the complementary function, differentiate as needed to find the particular solution.
 
DanielJackins said:
I thought I did? I said r^2+4r-5 = 0, which gave me r = 1 and r = -5, giving me the equation y = c1e^t+c2e^(-5t)

Yup, my mistake

didn't you do a second derivative for yp? furthermore, both yp and y'p are wrong.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, can you point out where I went wrong?
 
Sorry, I misread the first part. You made a mistake when calculating A and B most probably. I got A=24 and B=27
 
DanielJackins said:
Sorry, can you point out where I went wrong?

derive yp = Asin(2t) + Bcos(2t) until you solve the second derivative, y''p
 
You just made an algebraic mistake somewhere. As Lunat1c said, A should equal +24, not -24.
 

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