Y'' + y = f(x) - Variation of Parameters?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the differential equation y'' + y = f(x) using the method of variation of parameters. The original poster presents their attempts to derive the particular solution while adhering to the initial conditions y(0) = y'(0) = 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the complementary function and the setup for variation of parameters. There are attempts to derive expressions for A' and B' based on the given equations. Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their derived expressions and the resulting particular integral.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the equations for A' and B', with some participants suggesting that the original poster is close to a solution. However, there is also a noted confusion regarding the presence of sine and cosine terms in the integral, indicating that multiple interpretations of the problem may be present.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment with a looming deadline, which may influence the urgency and nature of the responses. There is a focus on ensuring the method aligns with the variation of parameters technique.

FeDeX_LaTeX
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y'' + y = f(x) -- Variation of Parameters?

Homework Statement


Use variation of parameters to solve

##y'' + y = f(x), y(0) = y'(0) = 0.##

Homework Equations


A description of the method is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variation_of_parameters

The Attempt at a Solution


The complementary function is:

##y_{CF} = A\cos(x) + B\sin(x) = Ay_1 + By_2##, say.

If ##y = A(x)y_{1}(x) + B(x)y_{2}(x)## is the solution of the forced equation, then, if we choose ##A'y_1 + B'y_2 = 0##, ##y' = Ay'_{1} + By'_{2}## and ##y'' = A'y'_{1} + B'y'_{2}##.

Since ##y_{1,2}## satisfy the homogeneous equation, substitution will lead to ##A'y'_{1} + B'y'_{2} = f(x)##.

Solving these two equations for A' and B' yields

##A'(y_{2}y'_{1} - y_{1}y'_{2}) = f(x)y_{2}## and
##B'(y_{2}y'_{1} - y_{1}y'_{2}) = -f(x)y_{2}##

Now, if ##y_{1} = \cos(x), y_{2} = \sin(x)## then differentiating and substituting gives us

##A' = -f(x) \implies A = \int -f(x) dx## and
##B' = f(x) \implies B = \int f(x) dx##.

But from here, I'm stuck. Any advice?

EDIT: Am I going about this the wrong way? I'm following the example at the top of page 3 here.
 
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Anyone? (Sorry, this homework is due pretty soon...)
 
Well, just solve your linear equations for [itex]A'[/itex] and [itex]B'[/itex] and then integrate. You are pretty close to the solution!
 
I've ended up with the particular integral:

##y = (\sin x - \cos x)\int f(x) dx##

But I think this is incorrect -- WolframAlpha is having sines and cosines in the integral itself. Where are those coming from?
 
FeDeX_LaTeX said:

Homework Statement


Use variation of parameters to solve

##y'' + y = f(x), y(0) = y'(0) = 0.##

The Attempt at a Solution


The complementary function is:

##y_{CF} = A\cos(x) + B\sin(x) = Ay_1 + By_2##, say.

If ##y = A(x)y_{1}(x) + B(x)y_{2}(x)## is the solution of the forced equation, then, if we choose ##A'y_1 + B'y_2 = 0##, ##y' = Ay'_{1} + By'_{2}## and ##y'' = A'y'_{1} + B'y'_{2}##.

Correctly: ##y'' = A'y'_{1} + B'y'_{2}+Ay''_{1}+By''_{2}##

FeDeX_LaTeX said:
Since ##y_{1,2}## satisfy the homogeneous equation, substitution will lead to ##A'y'_{1} + B'y'_{2} = f(x)##.

Solving these two equations for A' and B' yields

##A'(y_{2}y'_{1} - y_{1}y'_{2}) = f(x)y_{2}## and
##B'(y_{2}y'_{1} - y_{1}y'_{2}) = -f(x)y_{2}##

Now, if ##y_{1} = \cos(x), y_{2} = \sin(x)## then differentiating and substituting gives us

##A' = -f(x) \implies A = \int -f(x) dx## and
##B' = f(x) \implies B = \int f(x) dx##.

.

It is [tex]A' = \frac{f(x)y_2}{y_1'y_2-y_1y_2'}=-f(x)\sin(x)[/tex] and [tex]B' = -\frac{f(x)y_1}{y_1'y_2-y_1y_2'}=f(x)\cos(x)[/tex]ehild
 
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