Chapter 19: Problem 15
Solve the differential equation. \(y^{\prime \prime}-8 y^{\prime}+16 y=0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The general solution is \(y(x) = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 x e^{4x}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Differential Equation
The given differential equation is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients. It's written in the standard form: \(y'' - 8y' + 16y = 0\).
02
Set Up the Characteristic Equation
To solve this type of differential equation, we find the characteristic equation, which is formed by replacing \(y''\) with \(r^2\), \(y'\) with \(r\), and \(y\) with 1. This gives us the characteristic equation: \(r^2 - 8r + 16 = 0\).
03
Solve the Characteristic Equation
Solve for \(r\) by factoring or using the quadratic formula. The characteristic equation \(r^2 - 8r + 16 = 0\) can be factored as \((r - 4)^2 = 0\). Thus, \(r = 4\) is a repeated root of multiplicity 2.
04
Write the General Solution
Since we have a repeated root \(r = 4\), the general solution for the differential equation is given by:\[y(x) = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 x e^{4x}\]where \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are arbitrary constants.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
homogeneous differential equation
A homogeneous differential equation is a type of differential equation where the result is zero. In particular, we have equations of the form:
Homogeneous equations are crucial because they often model natural phenomena where things return to equilibrium over time. Understanding them helps solve more complex systems or non-homogeneous equations by using superposition principles.
- Second-order linear homogeneous equations with constant coefficients, like \(y'' - 8y' + 16y = 0\).
Homogeneous equations are crucial because they often model natural phenomena where things return to equilibrium over time. Understanding them helps solve more complex systems or non-homogeneous equations by using superposition principles.
characteristic equation
The characteristic equation is a tool used to solve linear differential equations with constant coefficients. It turns the differential equation into an algebraic one by substituting derivatives with powers of a variable, typically \(r\).
For the given equation \(y'' - 8y' + 16y = 0\), the characteristic equation is:
For the given equation \(y'' - 8y' + 16y = 0\), the characteristic equation is:
- Substitute \(y''\), \(y'\), and \(y\) with \(r^2\), \(r\), and \(1\) respectively.
- This yields: \(r^2 - 8r + 16 = 0\).
repeated roots
Repeated roots occur when the characteristic equation has the same solution more than once. In our example, solving \(r^2 - 8r + 16 = 0\) yields a repeated root \(r = 4\) with multiplicity two.
Repeated roots require a modified approach to form the general solution. When the characteristic equation has a repeated root \(r\), the general solution gains an additional term involving \(x\):
Repeated roots require a modified approach to form the general solution. When the characteristic equation has a repeated root \(r\), the general solution gains an additional term involving \(x\):
- The solution takes the form \(y(x) = C_1 e^{rx} + C_2 x e^{rx}\).
general solution
The general solution combines all possible solutions of a differential equation derived from the roots of its characteristic equation. Our differential equation, \(y'' - 8y' + 16y = 0\), features repeated roots, leading us to this general solution:
The general solution is important as it summarizes all potential behaviors of a system. It offers insights into how a system responds to different initial inputs or perturbations, ensuring comprehensiveness in analysis and prediction.
- \(y(x) = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 x e^{4x}\)
The general solution is important as it summarizes all potential behaviors of a system. It offers insights into how a system responds to different initial inputs or perturbations, ensuring comprehensiveness in analysis and prediction.