What is the Correct Way to Use the Integrating Factor Method for Proving an ODE?

hurcw
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I am really struggling with proving a ODE by means of using the integrating factor method.
My original problem was a Laplace transform
q'+2q=5sin(t) where q(0)=0
I believe i have got the correct naswer for this as being:- q= e^-2t +2sint-cost
I just need to confirm this i have my integrating factor as e^2x but after that i am not really sure where to go next.
I am surrounded by piles of paper with varying answers on, non of which are the same as the one above.
Please please help someone.
 
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hi hurcw! welcome to pf! :smile:

(try using the X2 button just above the Reply box :wink:)
hurcw said:
q'+2q=5sin(t) where q(0)=0

i have my integrating factor as e^2x but after that i am not really sure where to go next.

yes, you multiply the orignal equation by e2t, giving:

e2tq' +2qe2t = 5e2tsin(t)​

that's the same as:

(qe2t)' = 5e2tsin(t)​

now you integrate both sides:

qe2t = ∫ 5e2tsin(t) dt​

and finally multiply the RHS (after the integration, and don't forget the constant!) by e-2t, to give you q :smile:
 
Thanks for the reply if i integrate 5e^2t sin(t) do i not just get the same +C, and then if i multiply by e-2t it cancels out the e2ttso i am left with 5sin(t)+ C.
Or am i being completely retarded which is a major possibility
 
hurcw said:
Thanks for the reply if i integrate 5e^2t sin(t) do i not just get the same+C …

nooo :redface:

d/dt(5e2tsint) = 10e2tsint + 5e2tcost :wink:
 
Ahhh i see...i think,
I then multiply this by e(-2t)
Which cancels out the e(2t) am i right?
i still don't see how i end up at my original answer?
 
hurcw said:
… i still don't see how i end up at my original answer?

show us what you've done :smile:
 
Right here it is:-

q'+2q=5sin(t)
IF= e(2t) , Q=5sin(t)
e(2t)q'+2e(2t)q=5e(2t)sin(t)
d/dt2(e(2t)q)=5e(2t)sin(t)

2(e(2t)q)=∫5e(2t)sin(t).dt

= 10e(2t)sin(t)+5e(2t)cos(t)+C

e(2t)q=(5(2e(2t)sin(t)+e(2t)cos(t))+C/2

q=(5(2e(2t)sin(t)+e(2t)cos(t))+C/2e(2t)

I then put in my original boundary condition of q(0)=0 to find C

And end up with C=-5
which kind of tallies up because q = 10e(2t)sin(t)+5e(2t)cos(t)+C

0 = (0x1)+(5x1)-5
Transposed 5 = 5
Hows this look so far ??
 
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(just got up :zzz: …)
hurcw said:
q'+2q=5sin(t)
IF= e(2t) , Q=5sin(t)
e(2t)q'+2e(2t)q=5e(2t)sin(t)
d/dt2(e(2t)q)=5e(2t)sin(t)

2(e(2t)q)=∫5e(2t)sin(t).dt

= 10e(2t)sin(t)+5e(2t)cos(t)+C

no, that last line is wrong …

if you differentiate it, you don't get 5e(2t)sin(t) :redface:

(also, that "2" on the far left came from nowhere)
 
The '2' is from the original 2q.
I don't get what you mean about my differentiation at the end, i have not differentiated yet.
Where am i going wrong ?
So is it this line that is wrong? q=(5(2e(2t)sin(t)+e(2t)cos(t))+C/2e(2t)
Should it be q=5(2e(2t)sin(t)+e(2t)cos(t))+C/e(2t)
which would cancel down to q=5(e(2t)sin(t)+cos(t))+C wouldn't it ?
 
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  • #10
Can anyone offer any more assistance with his please, all the help so far has been greatly appreciated.
 
  • #11
hmm … let's rewrite that so that it's readable …
q=(5(2e2tsin(t)+e2tcos(t))+C/2e2t)
Should it be q=5(2e2tsin(t)+e2tcos(t))+C/e2t
which would cancel down to q=5(e2tsin(t)+cos(t))+C

no your ∫ was wrong (there should be a minus in the first line),

and because you've put your brackets in the wrong place, there are errors in the next two lines also :redface:

you must write these proofs out more carefully and in full (ie without taking short-cuts by missing out lines)​
 
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