Find a solution for a differential equation, assume that y(x)=ax^2+bx+c

Madison Costa

Madison Costa

Answered question

2022-11-14

Find a solution for a differential equation, assume that y ( x ) = a x 2 + b x + c
Find a solution to the given equation:
y + 2 y = x 2 + 4 x + 7
and we are told to assume that y(x) is a quadratic function, which follows this general form
y = a x 2 + b x + c .
Now to find the solutions, at first I tried to solve the given for y and then see what I could do from there but, I realized that you can't take the derivative of a function that contains its own derivative.
So then I thought that I had to create my own function that follows the perviously mentioned parameters (the given and the quad. form). This is were I am stuck, I can not mathematically deduce a solution for this problem.

Answer & Explanation

Biardiask3zd

Biardiask3zd

Beginner2022-11-15Added 16 answers

Step 1
If y = a x 2 + b x + c, then y = 2 a x + b. Plug this into your equation:
y + 2 y = 2 a x + b + 2 ( a x 2 + b x + c ) = 2 a x 2 + ( 2 a + 2 b ) x + b + 2 c = ! x 2 + 4 x + 7.
Step 2
Two polynomials are equal iff they are equal in all coefficients. You obtain a linear equation system
{ 2 a = 1 2 a + 2 b = 4 b + 2 c = 7
which you have to solve for (a,b,c) in order to get a particular solution.
Paula Cameron

Paula Cameron

Beginner2022-11-16Added 6 answers

Step 1
If you assume that y = a x 2 + b x + c, you can plug this hypothesis in the equation, which then writes
( 2 a x + b ) + 2 ( a x 2 + b x + c ) = x 2 + 4 x + 7.
For the two members to be equal for all x, by regrouping the terms, you must have that 2 a = 1, then 2 a + 2 b = 4 and finally b + 2 c = 7.
As these equations do have a solution, the hypothesis works.
More generally, if your LHS is a linear combination of the derivatives of the unknown, and the RHS is a polynomial, you can try an arbitrary polynomial of the same degree.
Step 2
Also note that the solution that you found is not the only one which is possible. Indeed, you can add any function y such that
y + 2 y = 0
without violating the equation. And y = c e 2 x where c has any value is such a function.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?