Why is there a sin term in the particular solution for cosine equation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a second-order linear differential equation with a cosine forcing function. Participants are examining the nature of the particular solution and the presence of a sine term in the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants explore the form of the particular solution, questioning the use of complex exponentials versus trigonometric functions. Others raise concerns about the necessity of including both sine and cosine terms in the particular solution.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the reasoning behind the inclusion of a sine term in the particular solution. Some have suggested alternative forms for the particular solution, while others are clarifying misconceptions about the general solution and the role of the homogeneous solution.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the application of different methods for finding particular solutions based on the form of the forcing function and the characteristics of the homogeneous equation. Participants are also referencing their lecturer's notes for further clarification.

quietrain
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Homework Statement


Q'' + 100Q' +50000Q = 4000cos(100t)
i found the general solution to be e-50t[Acos(50sqrt19)t +Bsin(50sqrt19)t]

but i have a problem with the particular solution

i tried Cei100t

did i try the wrong expression? because when i compared coefficients, i found C=4000/40000 = 0.1
but the answer given by my lecturer is 16/170 cos100t + 4/170sin100t

idon't understand where the sin term comes from? when i try Cei100t, i should be getting just the cosine terms right? since my target is 4000cos100t. so how come there's a sin term?

help appreciated!
 
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quietrain said:

Homework Statement


Q'' + 100Q' +50000Q = 4000cos(100t)
i found the general solution to be e-50t[Acos(50sqrt19)t +Bsin(50sqrt19)t]
No, this isn't the general solution. It looks more like the solution to the homogeneous problem, namely Q'' + 100Q' + 50000Q = 0. I didn't check your solution, but you can by making sure that it satisfies Q'' + 100Q' + 50000Q = 0.

BTW, the t factor should be inside the parentheses: e.g., Acos(50sqrt(19)t)
quietrain said:
but i have a problem with the particular solution

i tried Cei100t
For reasons too long to go into here, I would recommend that you try a particular solution of yp = Ccos(100t) + Dsin(100t).
quietrain said:
did i try the wrong expression? because when i compared coefficients, i found C=4000/40000 = 0.1
but the answer given by my lecturer is 16/170 cos100t + 4/170sin100t

idon't understand where the sin term comes from? when i try Cei100t, i should be getting just the cosine terms right? since my target is 4000cos100t. so how come there's a sin term?

help appreciated!
 
oh. i always thought that was called the general solution? where you let the characteristic equation = 0

oh my mistake, t should be in the brackets yes

thats the problem. i don't understand. in another question, y'' +4y = cos2x. i could try Z = Ae2ix, so that the real part would just be cos2x and i discard the imaginary part

so why in this case i have to use Acosx + Bsinx ? also, how do i know when i have to use this instead of Z = Ae2ix?

many thanks!
 
The general solution consists of two parts: the solution to the homogeneous problem + the particular solution.

For your second question, you're making two mistakes.
1. In the homogeneous equation (y'' + 4y = 0), the characteristic equation has two solutions - r = 2i and r = -2i. Rather than have a homogeneous solution of y = Ae2ix + Be-2ix, it's much easier to use y = Acos(2x) + Bsin(2x).
2. Since the nonhomogeneous equation is y'' + 4y = cos(2x), a particular solution involving e2ix or e-2ix isn't going to work. When a function is a solution of the homogeneous problem, it can't also be a solution of the corresponding nonhomogeneous problem.

For your particular solution, try y = Cxcos(2x) + Dxsin(2x).
 
ah i see... so as long as i see cosx or sinx, i should use Ccosx+Dsinx? when i see tan i should use method of variation of parameters?

i went to look through my lecturer's notes again, and i realize what he did was to introduce a imaginary part in the exact same format as the real part

i.e , if it was y" + y' + 4y = cosx
he introduced a iv" + iv' +4iv = isinx

then he combine to get z = y + iv. so he says y = Re(Z).
and he trys eix or something like this

so his method would work also?

but if i use Ccosx+Dsinx, i don't have to worry about imaginary or real parts right?
 
Yes, both methods work, but if you use the method I described, you don't have to be concerned with the imaginary parts.
 
ah i see! thanks
 

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