Chapter 7: Problem 4
Find the general solution of \(x_{n+2}-2 x_{n+1}+2 x_{n}=0\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The general solution is \(x_n = C_1 (1+i)^n + C_2 (1-i)^n\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the Characteristic Equation
We start by assuming a solution of the form \(x_n = r^n\). Substituting this into the recurrence relation \(x_{n+2} - 2x_{n+1} + 2x_n = 0\), we get:\(r^{n+2} - 2r^{n+1} + 2r^n = 0\).We can divide through by \(r^n\) (assuming \(r eq 0\)) to obtain the characteristic equation:\[r^2 - 2r + 2 = 0.\]
02
Solve the Characteristic Equation
To solve the quadratic \(r^2 - 2r + 2 = 0\), we use the quadratic formula:\[r = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a},\]where \(a = 1\), \(b = -2\), and \(c = 2\).Substituting these values, we get:\[r = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{(-2)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 2}}{2 \cdot 1} = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 8}}{2} = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{-4}}{2}.\]Since the discriminant \(b^2 - 4ac = -4\) is negative, we have complex roots:\[r = \frac{2 \pm 2i}{2} = 1 \pm i.\]
03
Write the General Solution
The roots \(r_1 = 1+i\) and \(r_2 = 1-i\) are complex conjugates, which allows us to express the general solution using these roots. The general solution to the recurrence relation, when complex roots are present, is given by:\[x_n = C_1 (1+i)^n + C_2 (1-i)^n.\]This solution represents the linear combination of the terms with the coefficients \(C_1\) and \(C_2\), which are determined by any initial conditions if provided.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Characteristic Equation
When dealing with recurrence relations, a powerful approach to finding solutions is to determine the characteristic equation.
This is a polynomial equation that arises when assuming a solution of the form \(x_n = r^n\). Substituting this into the recurrence relation simplifies it significantly. In our exercise, the recurrence relation is \(x_{n+2} - 2x_{n+1} + 2x_n = 0\).
The characteristic equation is a quadratic equation, and solving it will reveal the roots, which are key to finding the general solution.
This is a polynomial equation that arises when assuming a solution of the form \(x_n = r^n\). Substituting this into the recurrence relation simplifies it significantly. In our exercise, the recurrence relation is \(x_{n+2} - 2x_{n+1} + 2x_n = 0\).
- Set \(x_n = r^n\)
- The recurrence relation transforms to \(r^{n+2} - 2r^{n+1} + 2r^n = 0\).
- After dividing by \(r^n\), assuming \(r eq 0\), we get the characteristic equation \(r^2 - 2r + 2 = 0\).
The characteristic equation is a quadratic equation, and solving it will reveal the roots, which are key to finding the general solution.
Quadratic Formula
To solve the characteristic equation, you often need the quadratic formula, a fundamental tool for finding the roots of quadratic equations. A quadratic equation has the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). In our case, the characteristic equation is \(r^2 - 2r + 2 = 0\).
The quadratic formula is given by:
The quadratic formula is given by:
- \(r = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\)
- \(a = 1\)
- \(b = -2\)
- \(c = 2\)
- \(r = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{(-2)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot 2}}{2}\)
- \(r = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 8}}{2} = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{-4}}{2}\)
Complex Roots
Complex roots arise when the discriminant (\(b^2 - 4ac\)) in the quadratic formula is negative. This means there is no real square root, and the roots are complex numbers. In our case, the discriminant is \(-4\).
The roots of our characteristic equation are computed as:
The roots of our characteristic equation are computed as:
- \(r = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{-4}}{2} = \frac{2 \pm 2i}{2}\)
- \(r_1 = 1 + i\)
- \(r_2 = 1 - i\)
- \(x_n = C_1 (1+i)^n + C_2 (1-i)^n\)