What am I doing wrong in attempting to solve this system of differenti

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a system of differential equations using Laplace transforms. The equations are given as \(x'' + y'' = t^2\) and \(x'' - y'' = 4t\) with initial conditions \(x(0) = 8\) and \(x'(0) = y(0) = y'(0) = 0\). The initial attempts using Laplace transforms yield incorrect results for \(x(0)\), leading to the conclusion that simpler methods, such as direct integration, may be more effective for this problem. The correct approach involves manipulating the equations to isolate \(x''\) and \(y''\) for easier integration.

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Homework Statement



What am I doing wrong in attempting to solve this system of differential equations?

Problem:$$\quad x''+y''=t^{ 2 }\quad \quad x''-y''=4t\quad \quad x(0)=8\quad x'(0)=y(0)=y'(0)=0\\ \\$$

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Attempt:$$\\ s^{ 2 }L\{ x\} -sx(0)-x'(0)+{ s }^{ 2 }L\{ y\} -sy(0)-y'(0)=2/{ s }^{ 3 }\\ { s }^{ 5 }L\{ x\} -8{ s }^{ 4 }+{ s }^{ 5 }L\{ y\} =2\quad \quad (1)\\ \\ { s }^{ 4 }L\{ x\} -8{ s }^{ 3 }-{ s }^{ 4 }L\{ y\} =4\quad \quad (2)\\ \\ (1)-(2)\cdot s:\quad 16s^{ 4 }+2s^{ 5 }L\{ y\} =2-4s\\ L\{ y\} =\frac { -8 }{ s } -\frac { 2 }{ { s }^{ 4 } } +\frac { 1 }{ { s }^{ 5 } } \\ y=-8-\frac { { t }^{ 3 } }{ 3 } +\frac { { t }^{ 4 } }{ 24 } \\ Sub\quad L\{ y\} \quad into\quad (2)\\ L\{ x\} =\frac { 2+1/2 }{ { s }^{ 4 } } \\ x=\frac { { t }^{ 3 } }{ 3 } +\frac { { t }^{ 4 } }{ 24 }$$

I know my attempt is wrong because x(0)=8 but if I compute x(0), I get 0. My prof's solution is also wrong for the same reason.
 
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ainster31 said:

Homework Statement



What am I doing wrong in attempting to solve this system of differential equations?

Problem:$$\quad x''+y''=t^{ 2 }\quad \quad x''-y''=4t\quad \quad x(0)=8\quad x'(0)=y(0)=y'(0)=0\\ \\$$

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Attempt:$$\\ s^{ 2 }L\{ x\} -sx(0)-x'(0)+{ s }^{ 2 }L\{ y\} -sy(0)-y'(0)=2/{ s }^{ 3 }\\ { s }^{ 5 }L\{ x\} -8{ s }^{ 4 }+{ s }^{ 5 }L\{ y\} =2\quad \quad (1)\\ \\ { s }^{ 4 }L\{ x\} -8{ s }^{ 3 }-{ s }^{ 4 }L\{ y\} =4\quad \quad (2)\\ \\ (1)-(2)\cdot s:\quad 16s^{ 4 }+2s^{ 5 }L\{ y\} =2-4s\\ L\{ y\} =\frac { -8 }{ s } -\frac { 2 }{ { s }^{ 4 } } +\frac { 1 }{ { s }^{ 5 } } \\ y=-8-\frac { { t }^{ 3 } }{ 3 } +\frac { { t }^{ 4 } }{ 24 } \\ Sub\quad L\{ y\} \quad into\quad (2)\\ L\{ x\} =\frac { 2+1/2 }{ { s }^{ 4 } } \\ x=\frac { { t }^{ 3 } }{ 3 } +\frac { { t }^{ 4 } }{ 24 }$$

I know my attempt is wrong because x(0)=8 but if I compute x(0), I get 0. My prof's solution is also wrong for the same reason.

Are you required to use Laplace transforms on this? It turns out to be much simpler by other means.

Here's what I'm talking about.
x'' + y'' = t2
x'' - y'' = 4t

Add the first equation to the second to get 2x'' = t2 + 4t, or x'' = (1/2)t2 + 2t. This is easy to solve by integrating twice.

To get an equation involving only y derivatives, subtract the second equation from the first, to get 2y'' = t2 - 4t, or y'' = (1/2)t2 - 2t .
 

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