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Algebra IAnswered question
Karissa Sosa Karissa Sosa 2022-05-16

wo identitical pendula each of length l and with bobs of mass m are free to oscillate in the same plane. The bobs are joined by a spring with spring constant k, by looking for solutions where x and y vary harmonically at the same angular frequency ω, form a simultaneous equation for the amplitudes of oscillation x 0 and y 0 .
Considering the forces acting on each pendulum we can derive the following coupled-differential equations:
(1) m x ¨ = k ( y x ) m g x (2) m y ¨ = k ( y x ) m g y
Where x and y are the displacements of each of the pendulum as functions of time. If we assume they oscillate harmonically with angular frequency ω then we can write ω , ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 R:
x ( t ) = x 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 1 ) y ( t ) = y 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 2 )
Substituting these solutions back into ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) we get:
m ω 2 x 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 1 ) = k ( x 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 1 ) y 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 2 ) ) m g cos ( ω t + ϕ 1 ) m ω 2 y 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 2 ) = k ( x 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 1 ) y 0 cos ( ω t + ϕ 2 ) ) m g cos ( ω t + ϕ 2 )
However, without assuming that ϕ 1 = ϕ 2 , in which case everything factors out nicely to leave a simultaneous equation in x 0 and y 0 , I cannot see a way of making it linear in x 0 and y 0 . So am I expected to use this assumption or is there a mathematical way of simplifying it?
If it is the former, then what would the physical justification for this assumption be?

In simple terms, systems of equations represent a special set of simultaneous equations where the equation system is used as a finite element. The trick here is to find common solutions, which is exactly what systems of equations solver must achieve. If this does not sound clear to you, take a look at some systems of equations answers below and see those with explanations. The solution will always come in three variables (namely, x, y, and z), which will represent your ordered triple. See systems of equations solutions for more examples of how it works in practice.