Chapter 6: Problem 14
Find the general solution to the linear differential equation. $$ 4 y^{\prime \prime}-12 y^{\prime}+9 y=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The general solution is \( y(x) = c_1 e^{\frac{3}{2}x} + c_2 xe^{\frac{3}{2}x} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the differential equation
The given differential equation is a linear homogeneous second-order differential equation with constant coefficients:\[ 4y'' - 12y' + 9y = 0 \]
02
Write the characteristic equation
To solve the differential equation, we first find the characteristic equation by replacing \(y''\) with \(m^2\), \(y'\) with \(m\), and \(y\) with 1:\[ 4m^2 - 12m + 9 = 0 \]
03
Solve the characteristic equation
The characteristic equation is a quadratic equation in \(m\). Use the quadratic formula:\[ m = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]Substitute \(a=4\), \(b=-12\), \(c=9\):\[ m = \frac{12 \pm \sqrt{(-12)^2 - 4 \times 4 \times 9}}{2 \times 4} \]\[ m = \frac{12 \pm \sqrt{144 - 144}}{8} \]\[ m = \frac{12}{8} = \frac{3}{2} \]There is one repeated root, \(m = \frac{3}{2}\).
04
Write the general solution from repeated roots
Since the characteristic equation has a repeated root \(m = \frac{3}{2}\), the general solution of the differential equation is:\[ y(x) = c_1 e^{\frac{3}{2}x} + c_2 xe^{\frac{3}{2}x} \]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.
Second-Order Differential Equations
Second-order differential equations involve the second derivative of a function. These equations are essential in various fields, such as physics, engineering, and mathematics, as they can model phenomena like motion, waves, and heat transfer. In this exercise, we have a second-order differential equation:
- The function is with respect to a variable, commonly time or position.
- The equation involves the first and second derivatives of this function.
- Solutions to these equations describe the behavior of the system being modeled.
Homogeneous Equations
A homogeneous differential equation is one where the function equals zero, as seen in our example:
4y'' - 12y' + 9y = 0.
In homogeneous equations:
- All terms involve the dependent variable (like y) or its derivatives.
- There are no external inputs or additional functions.
- Solutions typically take a form involving exponential functions due to the nature of the equations.
Characteristic Equation
The characteristic equation bridges the differential equation to algebra, allowing us to find solutions using well-known algebraic techniques. For a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients:
- Replace each derivative with powers of a variable, often 'm'.
- Transform the differential equation into a quadratic equation.
- This approach is especially useful since quadratic equations have predictable solution methods.
- Each root of the characteristic equation corresponds to an exponential function of the form e^(mx) in the differential equation's solution.
Repeated Roots
When solving the characteristic equation, if you find that roots are repeated, it shapes the form of the solution significantly. In this case:
- Typically, roots provide exponential solutions like e^(mx).
- If a root is repeated, the solution includes not just e^(mx) but also introduces a factor of x, resulting in forms like xe^(mx).
- It includes terms involving both e^(m * x) and x*e^(m *x), as seen in y(x) = c_1 e^(3/2 x) + c_2 x e^(3/2 x).