I want to solve the two following differential equations: (1) f′′(t)=3f′(t)-f(t). (2) f′′(t)=2f′(t)-f(t)

Jaylen Dudley

Jaylen Dudley

Answered question

2022-09-17

Simple Differential Equations
I want to solve the two following differential equations:
(1) f ( t ) = 3 f ( t ) f ( t )
(2) f ( t ) = 2 f ( t ) f ( t )
I chose the approach f ( t ) = e λ t and hence arrive for the first case at
λ 2 e λ t = e λ t ( 3 λ 1 ) λ 2 = 3 λ 1
and for the second differential equation I arrive at λ 2 = 2 λ 1
Is this correct? How do I find λ now per hand easily? Also, in the exercise it says "find the solution and determine what λ is" - but isn't that the same thing?
Also: For the second case, is t e λ t also a solution?

Answer & Explanation

Lily Travis

Lily Travis

Beginner2022-09-18Added 14 answers

Step 1
There are some ways to find λ easily such as the quadratic formula or doing some algebra. In this case, let's do the last one, so, for example:
λ 2 2 λ + 1 = 0 ( λ 1 ) 2 = 0 λ = 1
But λ is not the solution of the differential equation. Instead:
f ( x ) = C 1 e λ 1 x + C 2 e λ 2 x + + C n e λ n x
Step 2
Where C i are constants. That's true if λ 1 λ 2 λ n . In our case, λ 1 = λ 2 , so both solutions would be linearly dependent. To fix that, the solution should be:
f ( x ) = C 1 e λ 1 x + x C 2 e λ 1 x + + x n C n e λ 1 x
Where n is the multiplicity of λ

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?