Where Did I Go Wrong Solving This 2nd Order Homogeneous Differential Equation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order homogeneous differential equation given by y'' - 2y' + 5 = 0, with initial conditions y(π/2) = 0 and y'(π/2) = 2. Participants are exploring the general solution and comparing their results to a provided book solution.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants describe their attempts to solve the differential equation, including characteristic equations and the general solution form. There are questions about the correctness of constants derived from initial conditions and discrepancies between personal solutions and the book's solution.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified potential mistakes in their calculations, particularly regarding the signs of constants. There is acknowledgment of errors and corrections being made, but no explicit consensus on the final solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. The discussion includes questioning the assumptions made during the solution process.

leonida
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Homework Statement


y"-2y'+5=0, y(∏/2)=0, y'(∏/2)=2

find general solution of this diff eq

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i have followed all of the steps for this, rather easy 2nd order diff eq, but i my solution differs from the books solution.

steps:
r2-2r+5=0

r 1/2= 1±2i

y=c1etcos(2t)+c2etsin(2t)
we have y(∏/2)=0, when replaced in eq above gives me
c1=-e-(∏/2)

calculating y' from the above y gives:
y'=et((c2-2c1)sin(2t)+(c1+2c2)cos(2t))
replacing y'(∏/2)=2 i get c2=(3/2)e-(∏/2)

putting back c1 and c2 i get final solution of y=(3/2)e(t-∏/2)sin(2t)-e(t-∏/2)cos(2t)
book saying that the solution of this eq is y=-e(t-∏/2)sin(2t)

can someone point out where i am making mistakes, since i did this problem few times and i always get the same answer...
 
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leonida said:

Homework Statement


y"-2y'+5=0, y(∏/2)=0, y'(∏/2)=2

find general solution of this diff eq

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



i have followed all of the steps for this, rather easy 2nd order diff eq, but i my solution differs from the books solution.

steps:
r2-2r+5=0

r 1/2= 1±2i

y=c1etcos(2t)+c2etsin(2t)
we have y(∏/2)=0, when replaced in eq above gives me
c1=-e-(∏/2)
This actually gives you ##y(\pi/2)=0=c_1e^{\pi/2}##. You set it equal to 1, not 0.

calculating y' from the above y gives:
y'=et((c2-2c1)sin(2t)+(c1+2c2)cos(2t))
replacing y'(∏/2)=2 i get c2=(3/2)e-(∏/2)

putting back c1 and c2 i get final solution of y=(3/2)e(t-∏/2)sin(2t)-e(t-∏/2)cos(2t)
book saying that the solution of this eq is y=-e(t-∏/2)sin(2t)

can someone point out where i am making mistakes, since i did this problem few times and i always get the same answer...
 
vela,
thank you.. i knew i made some silly mistake...

after correcting my work i still have discrepancy in sign.. i am getting positiv, while book is saying negative..

After differentiating y I get => y'=et((c2-2c1)sin(2t)+(c1+2c2)cos(2t))

since c1=0 and y'(∏/2)=2

2=2e∏/2c2 which is

c2=e-(∏/2) and i need this to be negative...
 
got it.. cos(pi)=-1 and there i get my negative sign... Vela, thanks a lot for pointing my mistake
 
Glad you figured it out.
 

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