Chapter 6: Problem 5
Find the solution of the differential equation that satisfies the given boundary condition\((s)\) $$f^{\prime \prime}-f^{\prime}-f=0, f(0)=0, f(1)=1$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \( f(x) = \frac{1}{A} \left(e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x} - e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x}\right) \), where \( A = e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2} - e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Type of Differential Equation
The equation given is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation of the form: \( f'' - f' - f = 0 \). We need to find a solution that satisfies this equation along with the boundary conditions.
02
Find the Characteristic Equation
To solve the differential equation, we first find the characteristic equation by assuming a solution of the form \( f = e^{rx} \). Substituting \( f = e^{rx} \), \( f' = re^{rx} \), and \( f'' = r^2 e^{rx} \) into the differential equation gives: \[ r^2 e^{rx} - r e^{rx} - e^{rx} = 0 \]Dividing the entire equation by \( e^{rx} \) (assuming \( e^{rx} eq 0 \), which is valid), we get the characteristic equation:\[ r^2 - r - 1 = 0 \]
03
Solve the Characteristic Equation
The characteristic equation is \( r^2 - r - 1 = 0 \). Using the quadratic formula \( r = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \), where \( a = 1 \), \( b = -1 \), and \( c = -1 \), we have:\[ r = \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \]Thus, the roots are \( r_1 = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} \) and \( r_2 = \frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \).
04
Write the General Solution
The general solution to the differential equation is given by a linear combination of the solutions corresponding to the roots of the characteristic equation:\[ f(x) = C_1 e^{r_1 x} + C_2 e^{r_2 x} \]Substituting the roots, we have:\[ f(x) = C_1 e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x} + C_2 e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x} \]
05
Apply Boundary Conditions
We now apply the boundary conditions \( f(0) = 0 \) and \( f(1) = 1 \) to determine \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \).- Applying \( f(0) = 0 \):\[ 0 = C_1 e^0 + C_2 e^0 = C_1 + C_2 \]This simplifies to \( C_1 + C_2 = 0 \).- Applying \( f(1) = 1 \):\[ 1 = C_1 e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2} + C_2 e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2} \]
06
Solve for Constants
From \( C_1 + C_2 = 0 \), we know \( C_2 = -C_1 \). Substituting this into the second boundary condition:\[ 1 = C_1\left(e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2} - e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2}\right) \]Let \( A = e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2} - e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2} \), then \( C_1 = \frac{1}{A} \) and \( C_2 = -\frac{1}{A} \).Thus, \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \) are given by \( C_1 = \frac{1}{A} \) and \( C_2 = -\frac{1}{A} \).
07
Write the Specific Solution
Finally, substituting for \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \), the function \( f(x) \) becomes:\[ f(x) = \frac{1}{A} \left(e^{(1+\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x} - e^{(1-\sqrt{5})/2 \cdot x}\right) \]This is the solution to the differential equation with the given boundary conditions.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Characteristic Equation
A characteristic equation is a crucial part of solving linear differential equations, especially second-order ones. When faced with a homogeneous differential equation like this one: \( f'' - f' - f = 0 \), solving it involves assuming a solution of the form \( f = e^{rx} \).
This assumption transforms the differential equation into an algebraic equation by substituting derivatives: \( f' = re^{rx} \) and \( f'' = r^2 e^{rx} \). By replacing these into the original differential equation, we reach:
This assumption transforms the differential equation into an algebraic equation by substituting derivatives: \( f' = re^{rx} \) and \( f'' = r^2 e^{rx} \). By replacing these into the original differential equation, we reach:
- \( r^2 e^{rx} - r e^{rx} - e^{rx} = 0 \)
- Dividing through by \( e^{rx} \) gives the characteristic equation: \( r^2 - r - 1 = 0 \)
Boundary Conditions
Boundary conditions are additional constraints that a solution to a differential equation must satisfy. They are necessary for finding a specific solution from the general solution of a differential equation.
In this problem, we have two boundary conditions: \( f(0) = 0 \) and \( f(1) = 1 \). Let's break down their role:
In this problem, we have two boundary conditions: \( f(0) = 0 \) and \( f(1) = 1 \). Let's break down their role:
- The boundary condition \( f(0) = 0 \) helps establish a relationship between constants in the general solution. If the general solution is \( f(x) = C_1 e^{r_1 x} + C_2 e^{r_2 x} \), substituting \( x = 0 \) simplifies this to \( C_1 + C_2 = 0 \).
- The second condition \( f(1) = 1 \) allows us to identify the actual values of these constants, given the derived relationship. By substituting \( x = 1 \), it sets up another equation that, together with the first condition, can be solved for \( C_1 \) and \( C_2 \).
Homogeneous Differential Equation
A homogeneous differential equation is one where every term is dependent on the function or its derivatives. In mathematical terms, a second-order homogeneous linear differential equation can be expressed as: \( a f''(x) + b f'(x) + c f(x) = 0 \).
In our example, the equation \( f'' - f' - f = 0 \) fits perfectly into this form with coefficients \( a = 1 \), \( b = -1 \), and \( c = -1 \). Key characteristics of such equations are:
In our example, the equation \( f'' - f' - f = 0 \) fits perfectly into this form with coefficients \( a = 1 \), \( b = -1 \), and \( c = -1 \). Key characteristics of such equations are:
- The zero on the right side of the equation indicates that it is homogeneous. This sets them apart from non-homogeneous equations, which include an additional function on the right side.
- The solutions involve linear combinations of functions derived from solving the characteristic equation, which contains the coefficients of the different terms in the differential equation.