What am I doing wrong in the Fourier expansion?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) involving Fourier expansion. The ODE is given as {y}^{\prime\prime}(t) + \omega^2{y(t)} = {r(t)}, where r(t) = cos(ωt) for various values of ω. Participants are exploring the complementary and particular solutions, particularly focusing on the Fourier series expansion of the cosine function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the complementary solution and then the particular solution using Fourier series but encounters issues with obtaining zero coefficients for the Fourier series terms. Other participants express confusion over the LaTeX formatting and the original poster's process.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the Fourier expansion process. Some guidance has been provided regarding the expected form of the solution, but there is no explicit consensus on the issues raised by the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. The original poster specifically notes confusion regarding the Fourier series coefficients.

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Ok we are given the ODE
<br /> {y}^{\prime\prime}(t) + \omega^2{y(t)} = {r(t)} <br />
<br /> r(t) = cos\omega{t} <br />
\omega = 0.5,0.8,1.1,1.5,5.0,10.0 <br />
I know you can use variation of paramaters to solve for it so I start by finding the complementary solution.
<br /> {y}^{\prime\prime}(t) + \omega^2{y(t)} = 0<br />
We know solutions are of the form
<br /> y = \exp{(mt)} <br />
so after taking derivatives and what not we get the fundamental solution
<br /> \cos\omega{t}, \sin\omega{t}<br />
Our complementary solution is
<br /> {y}_{c}=Acos \omega{t} + Bsin \omega{t}<br />
For the particular solution we set
<br /> {y}^{\prime\prime}(t) + \omega^2{y(t)} = cos\omega{t} <br />
We then use a Fourier series to expand
<br /> cos\omega{t}<br />
Then proceed to solve for it but the problem I'm having is that I'm getting the Fourier series to be zero which is strange. I know that there will be no
<br /> {b}_{n}<br />
term since cos is even but its still werid why I'm getting zero for
<br /> {a}_{0}, {a}_{n}<br />
Any help would be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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I swear this latex thing I can't figure it out.
 
If you guys are stuck the answer in the book is:
<br /> {y} = {c}_{1}\cos\omega{t} + {c}_{2}\sin\omega{t} + {A}(\omega)\cos\omega{t}<br />

<br /> {A}(\omega) = \frac{1}{\omega^2 - 1} {\leq} 0<br />
if \omega^2 {\leq} 1

<br /> {A}(\omega) = \frac{1}{\omega^2 - 1} {\geq} 0<br />
if \omega^2 {\geq} 1

Since there was not only greater then and less then I had to use less then or equal and greater then or equal
 
Last edited:
Can anyone help please with what I am doing wrong in the Fourier expansion?
 

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