Chapter 4: Problem 4
\(y^{\prime \prime}+3 y^{\prime}-4 y=0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The general solution is \(y(t) = C_1 e^{t} + C_2 e^{-4t}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Differential Equation
Determine that the given equation is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients: \(y^{\text{''}} + 3y^{\text{'}} - 4y = 0\).
02
Formulate the Characteristic Equation
Convert the differential equation to its characteristic equation by substituting \(y = e^{rt}\). This leads to the characteristic equation: \(r^{2} + 3r - 4 = 0\).
03
Solve the Characteristic Equation
Solve the quadratic characteristic equation \(r^{2} + 3r - 4 = 0\) using the quadratic formula \(r = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\), where \(a = 1\), \(b = 3\), and \(c = -4\).
04
Find the Roots of the Characteristic Equation
Calculate the roots using the quadratic formula: \(r = \frac{-3 \pm \sqrt{9 + 16}}{2}\), which simplifies to \(r = \frac{-3 \pm 5}{2}\). Thus, the roots are \(r = 1\) and \(r = -4\).
05
Write the General Solution
Since the roots \(r_1 = 1\) and \(r_2 = -4\) are real and distinct, the general solution to the differential equation is \(y(t) = C_1 e^{r_1 t} + C_2 e^{r_2 t}\). Substituting the roots, the solution is \(y(t) = C_1 e^{t} + C_2 e^{-4t}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Characteristic Equation
In this type of differential equation, our goal is to determine a characteristic equation. This is done by recognizing that the given equation is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients: \(y'' + 3y' - 4y = 0\). To convert this into its characteristic equation, we substitute y with an exponential function: \(y = e^{rt}\). Differentiating this function gives us: \(y' = re^{rt}\) and \(y'' = r^2e^{rt}\). By substituting these into the original differential equation, we get:
\[r^2e^{rt} + 3re^{rt} - 4e^{rt} = 0\]
Factoring out \(e^{rt}\) (which is never zero), we then simplify to get the characteristic equation:
\[r^2 + 3r - 4 = 0\].
\[r^2e^{rt} + 3re^{rt} - 4e^{rt} = 0\]
Factoring out \(e^{rt}\) (which is never zero), we then simplify to get the characteristic equation:
\[r^2 + 3r - 4 = 0\].
Quadratic Formula
To solve the characteristic equation \(r^2 + 3r - 4 = 0\), we use the quadratic formula. The quadratic formula is a fundamental method for solving equations of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). It is given by:
\[r = \frac{-b \, \pm \, \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
Here, we identify coefficients: \(a = 1\), \(b = 3\), and \(c = -4\). Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{3^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-4)}}{2 \cdot 1}\]
which simplifies to:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{9 + 16}}{2}\]
Then:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{25}}{2}\]
Hence, we find the roots:
\[r_1 = \frac{-3 + 5}{2} = 1\]
\[r_2 = \frac{-3 - 5}{2} = -4\].
\[r = \frac{-b \, \pm \, \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
Here, we identify coefficients: \(a = 1\), \(b = 3\), and \(c = -4\). Plugging these values into the quadratic formula, we get:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{3^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-4)}}{2 \cdot 1}\]
which simplifies to:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{9 + 16}}{2}\]
Then:
\[r = \frac{-3 \, \pm \, \sqrt{25}}{2}\]
Hence, we find the roots:
\[r_1 = \frac{-3 + 5}{2} = 1\]
\[r_2 = \frac{-3 - 5}{2} = -4\].
General Solution
After finding the roots of the characteristic equation, the next step is to construct the general solution of the differential equation. Since the roots \(r_1 = 1\) and \(r_2 = -4\) are real and distinct, the general solution is formed by two exponential functions:
\[y(t) = C_1 \cdot e^{r_1 t} + C_2 \cdot e^{r_2 t}\]
Substituting the values of \(r_1\) and \(r_2\), we get:
\[y(t) = C_1 \cdot e^{t} + C_2 \cdot e^{-4t}\]
where \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are constants determined by initial conditions. This general solution helps to describe all possible behaviors of the system modeled by the differential equation.
\[y(t) = C_1 \cdot e^{r_1 t} + C_2 \cdot e^{r_2 t}\]
Substituting the values of \(r_1\) and \(r_2\), we get:
\[y(t) = C_1 \cdot e^{t} + C_2 \cdot e^{-4t}\]
where \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) are constants determined by initial conditions. This general solution helps to describe all possible behaviors of the system modeled by the differential equation.