Chapter 31: Problem 10
Solve the given differential equations. $$\frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}}+y=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The general solution is \( y(x) = C_1 \cos(x) + C_2 \sin(x) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Differential Equation
The given equation \( \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} + y = 0 \) is a linear homogeneous second-order differential equation with constant coefficients.
02
Write the Characteristic Equation
To solve the differential equation, we start by writing the characteristic equation. For the equation \( \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} + y = 0 \), assume \( y = e^{rx} \). Then \( \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} = r^2 e^{rx} \), so \( r^2 e^{rx} + e^{rx} = 0 \). Dividing through by \( e^{rx} \), we get the characteristic equation: \( r^2 + 1 = 0 \).
03
Solve the Characteristic Equation
Solve the characteristic equation \( r^2 + 1 = 0 \). This equation can be rewritten as \( r^2 = -1 \). Solving for \( r \), we find the roots \( r = i \) and \( r = -i \), where \( i \) is the imaginary unit.
04
Write the General Solution
Since the roots \( r = i \) and \( r = -i \) are complex, the general solution of the differential equation is given by: \[ y(x) = C_1 \cos(x) + C_2 \sin(x) \]where \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \) are constants determined by initial conditions.
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 faced with a second-order differential equation like \( \frac{d^{2} y}{d x^{2}} + y = 0 \), it's essential to translate it into a simpler algebra form called the characteristic equation. The primary goal is to transform the differential equation into a more manageable polynomial equation. Here's how it works:
- Assume a solution of the form \( y = e^{rx} \). This assumption is useful because the exponential function retains its form under differentiation, making calculations straightforward.
- When you substitute \( y = e^{rx} \) into the differential equation, you get a new equation: \( r^2 e^{rx} + e^{rx} = 0 \).
- Cancel out \( e^{rx} \) (as long as \( e^{rx} eq 0 \)), leading to the characteristic equation \( r^2 + 1 = 0 \).
Complex Roots
When we solve the characteristic equation \( r^2 + 1 = 0 \), we end up with the equation \( r^2 = -1 \). This presents us with complex numbers, which have a real and an imaginary part:
- The solutions are the complex roots \( r = i \) and \( r = -i \).
- The imaginary unit \( i \) is defined such that \( i^2 = -1 \).
General Solution
The final step is composing the general solution of the differential equation by leveraging the complex roots derived from the characteristic equation. When complex roots \( r = a + bi \) and \( r = a - bi \) are found, as in \( r = i \) and \( r = -i \), they give a solution shaped by the functions \( \cos \) and \( \sin \):\[y(x) = C_1 \cos(x) + C_2 \sin(x)\]Here:
- \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \) are arbitrary constants that can be determined if initial conditions or boundary conditions are provided.
- The cosine and sine functions reflect the behavior of systems that exhibit oscillatory patterns, like springs or pendulums, under specific conditions.