What Is the Differential Equation for Given Solutions?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the differential equation corresponding to given solutions of the form \(y=c_1+c_2e^{3x}\) and \(y=c_1e^{ax}\cos(bx)+c_2e^{ax}\sin(bx)\). Participants explore various techniques for deriving these equations through differentiation and substitution.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the first solution \(y=c_1+c_2e^{3x}\) and calculates its first and second derivatives.
  • Another participant suggests substituting \(c_2e^{3x}=y-c_1\) into the derivatives to derive a differential equation.
  • Some participants propose that the differential equation derived from the first solution is \(y''-3y'=0\), while others question this and suggest alternative forms.
  • There is a suggestion that using the second derivative leads to \(y''-9y'=0\), but this is contested by another participant who points out a differentiation error.
  • In the second problem, participants discuss how to eliminate parameters \(c_1\) and \(c_2\) and suggest rewriting the function in a different form to facilitate differentiation.
  • One participant mentions using a trigonometric identity to rewrite the second solution, prompting questions about the method used.
  • Another participant acknowledges the existence of multiple methods to approach the problems but emphasizes a particular method for reducing computation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the derived differential equations, with some asserting their validity while others challenge them. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to eliminate constants and derive the equations.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the parameters and their roles in the equations are not fully explored, and there are unresolved steps in the differentiation process that could affect the outcomes.

bergausstein
Messages
191
Reaction score
0
find the desired equation.

a.) $\displaystyle y=c_1+c_2e^{3x}$

taking two derivatives

$\displaystyle \frac{dy}{dx}=3c_2e^{3x}$

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}=9c_2e^{3x}$

b.) $\displaystyle y=c_1e^{ax}\cos(bx)+c_2e^{ax}\sin(bx)$ a and b are parameters.

can you help me continue with the problems. thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
a) Differentiating with respect to $x$, we obtain:

$$y'=3c_2e^{3x}$$

But, from the original equation, we have:

$$c_2e^{3x}=y-c_1$$

So substitute and differentiate again. What do you find?
 
what I see is

$\displaystyle y'=3(y-c_1)$ now when I differentiate it again I get $\displaystyle y''=3y'$

so, the D.E is $y''-3y'=0$ is this correct?

but I want to know other technique to eliminate the constant using the 2 derivatives and the function in my OP. can you help me with that?
 
bergausstein said:
what I see is

$\displaystyle y'=3(y-c_1)$ now when I differentiate it again I get $\displaystyle y''=3y'$

so, the D.E is $y''-3y'=0$ is this correct?

but I want to know other technique to eliminate the constant using the 2 derivatives and the function in my OP. can you help me with that?

Yes, that is correct. The technique I described is to me the most straightforward way to approach this problem. If you differentiate twice, you will still wind up substituting, and then you'll have to differentiate again to eliminate the remaining parameter.
 
I noticed something. If I use the 2nd derivative

$ \displaystyle y''=9c_2e^{3x}$

since $\displaystyle c_2e^{3x}=y-c_1$ I will have $\displaystyle y''=9(y-c_1)$

so $y''-9y'=0$ is this also correct?
 
bergausstein said:
I noticed something. If I use the 2nd derivative

$ \displaystyle y''=9c_2e^{3x}$

since $\displaystyle c_2e^{3x}=y-c_1$ I will have $\displaystyle y''=9(y-c_1)$

so $y''-9y'=0$ is this also correct?

No, you did not differentiate the left side of the equation.
 
yes It must be $y'''-9y'=0$

how bout the second problem?
 
bergausstein said:
yes It must be $y'''-9y'=0$

how bout the second problem?

Actually in the second problem, the parameters are $c_1$ and $c_2$. These are what you wish to eliminate.

I think I would write it in the equivalent two-parameter form to make differentiation simpler:

$$y=c_1e^{ax}\sin\left(bx+c_2 \right)$$

And, let's take Ackbach's advice and write it as:

$$c_1=\frac{y}{e^{ax}\sin\left(bx+c_2 \right)}$$

What do you get when you differentiate with respect to $x$?
 
how did you get this?

$$y=c_1e^{ax}\sin\left(bx+c_2 \right)$$
 
  • #10
bergausstein said:
how did you get this?

$$y=c_1e^{ax}\sin\left(bx+c_2 \right)$$

Through the use of a linear combination trigonometric identity. For example:

$$\sin(x)+\cos(x)=\sqrt{2}\sin\left(x+\frac{\pi}{4} \right)$$
 
  • #11
is there another method? :confused:
 
  • #12
bergausstein said:
is there another method? :confused:

Yes, certainly there are many ways to proceed, however, I am trying to show you how to work the problem in a manner that will ease the amount of computation required.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 52 ·
2
Replies
52
Views
8K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
11K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K