Classify the ODE y " ′ + x y ′ + e x y = cos x y"' + xy' + e^x y = \cos x y " ′ + x y ′ + e x y = cos x by order, linearity, and homogeneity.
Solution Solution. Second-order (highest derivative is y ′ ′ y'' y ′′ ), linear (y y y , y ′ y' y ′ , y ′ ′ y'' y ′′ appear linearly With coefficient functions of x x x only), nonhomogeneous (cos x ≠ 0 \cos x \neq 0 cos x = 0 ). ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 1.2 (Classification of ODEs).
Solve d y d x = x y \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{x}{y} d x d y = y x , y ( 0 ) = 2 y(0) = 2 y ( 0 ) = 2 .
Solution Solution. Separating: y d y = x d x y\, dy = x\, dx y d y = x d x . Integrating: y 2 2 = x 2 2 + C \frac{y^2}{2} = \frac{x^2}{2} + C 2 y 2 = 2 x 2 + C .
y ( 0 ) = 2 ⟹ C = 2 y(0) = 2 \implies C = 2 y ( 0 ) = 2 ⟹ C = 2 So y 2 = x 2 + 4 y^2 = x^2 + 4 y 2 = x 2 + 4 Giving y = x 2 + 4 y = \sqrt{x^2 + 4} y = x 2 + 4 (positive branch Since y ( 0 ) = 2 > 0 y(0) = 2 > 0 y ( 0 ) = 2 > 0 ). ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.1 (Separable Equations).
Solve y ′ + y x = x 2 y' + \frac{y}{x} = x^2 y ′ + x y = x 2 for x > 0 x > 0 x > 0 , y ( 1 ) = 1 y(1) = 1 y ( 1 ) = 1 .
Solution Solution. P ( x ) = 1 / x P(x) = 1/x P ( x ) = 1/ x , Q ( x ) = x 2 Q(x) = x^2 Q ( x ) = x 2 .
μ ( x ) = e ∫ 1 / x d x = e ln x = x \mu(x) = e^{\int 1/x\, dx} = e^{\ln x} = x μ ( x ) = e ∫ 1/ x d x = e l n x = x .
y = x − 1 ( ∫ x ⋅ x 2 d x + C ) = x − 1 ( x 4 4 + C ) = x 3 4 + C x y = x^{-1}\left(\int x \cdot x^2\, dx + C\right) = x^{-1}\left(\frac{x^4}{4} + C\right) = \frac{x^3}{4} + \frac{C}{x} y = x − 1 ( ∫ x ⋅ x 2 d x + C ) = x − 1 ( 4 x 4 + C ) = 4 x 3 + x C .
y ( 1 ) = 1 / 4 + C = 1 ⟹ C = 3 / 4 y(1) = 1/4 + C = 1 \implies C = 3/4 y ( 1 ) = 1/4 + C = 1 ⟹ C = 3/4 .
y = x 3 4 + 3 4 x y = \frac{x^3}{4} + \frac{3}{4x} y = 4 x 3 + 4 x 3 . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.2 (Linear First-Order Equations).
Solve ( 2 x + y ) d x + ( x + 2 y ) d y = 0 (2x + y)\, dx + (x + 2y)\, dy = 0 ( 2 x + y ) d x + ( x + 2 y ) d y = 0 .
Solution Solution. M = 2 x + y M = 2x + y M = 2 x + y , N = x + 2 y N = x + 2y N = x + 2 y . M y = 1 = N x M_y = 1 = N_x M y = 1 = N x . Exact.
Ψ x = 2 x + y ⟹ Ψ = x 2 + x y + h ( y ) \Psi_x = 2x + y \implies \Psi = x^2 + xy + h(y) Ψ x = 2 x + y ⟹ Ψ = x 2 + x y + h ( y ) .
Ψ y = x + h ′ ( y ) = x + 2 y ⟹ h ′ ( y ) = 2 y ⟹ h ( y ) = y 2 \Psi_y = x + h'(y) = x + 2y \implies h'(y) = 2y \implies h(y) = y^2 Ψ y = x + h ′ ( y ) = x + 2 y ⟹ h ′ ( y ) = 2 y ⟹ h ( y ) = y 2 .
Solution: x 2 + x y + y 2 = C x^2 + xy + y^2 = C x 2 + x y + y 2 = C . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.4 (Exact Equations).
Solve y ′ − y = x y 2 y' - y = xy^2 y ′ − y = x y 2 .
Solution Solution. This is Bernoulli with n = 2 n = 2 n = 2 , P ( x ) = − 1 P(x) = -1 P ( x ) = − 1 , Q ( x ) = x Q(x) = x Q ( x ) = x .
Substitution v = y − 1 v = y^{-1} v = y − 1 : v ′ = − y − 2 y ′ v' = -y^{-2}y' v ′ = − y − 2 y ′ So − v ′ − v = x -v' - v = x − v ′ − v = x I.e., v ′ + v = − x v' + v = -x v ′ + v = − x .
Integrating factor: e x e^x e x . ( v e x ) ′ = − x e x (ve^x)' = -xe^x ( v e x ) ′ = − x e x .
v e x = − x e x + e x + C = e x ( 1 − x ) + C ve^x = -xe^x + e^x + C = e^x(1 - x) + C v e x = − x e x + e x + C = e x ( 1 − x ) + C .
v = 1 − x + C e − x v = 1 - x + Ce^{-x} v = 1 − x + C e − x So y = 1 1 − x + C e − x y = \frac{1}{1 - x + Ce^{-x}} y = 1 − x + C e − x 1 . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.7 (Bernoulli Equations).
Solve y ′ = x + y x − y y' = \frac{x + y}{x - y} y ′ = x − y x + y using the substitution y = v x y = vx y = v x .
Solution Solution. y = v x ⟹ y ′ = v + x v ′ y = vx \implies y' = v + xv' y = v x ⟹ y ′ = v + x v ′ .
x + v x x − v x = 1 + v 1 − v \frac{x + vx}{x - vx} = \frac{1 + v}{1 - v} x − v x x + v x = 1 − v 1 + v .
v + x v ′ = 1 + v 1 − v v + xv' = \frac{1 + v}{1 - v} v + x v ′ = 1 − v 1 + v
x v ′ = 1 + v 1 − v − v = 1 + v − v + v 2 1 − v = 1 + v 2 1 − v xv' = \frac{1 + v}{1 - v} - v = \frac{1 + v - v + v^2}{1 - v} = \frac{1 + v^2}{1 - v} x v ′ = 1 − v 1 + v − v = 1 − v 1 + v − v + v 2 = 1 − v 1 + v 2
1 − v 1 + v 2 d v = d x x \frac{1 - v}{1 + v^2}\, dv = \frac{dx}{x} 1 + v 2 1 − v d v = x d x
∫ 1 1 + v 2 d v − ∫ v 1 + v 2 d v = ln ∣ x ∣ + C \int \frac{1}{1 + v^2}\, dv - \int \frac{v}{1 + v^2}\, dv = \ln|x| + C ∫ 1 + v 2 1 d v − ∫ 1 + v 2 v d v = ln ∣ x ∣ + C
arctan v − 1 2 ln ( 1 + v 2 ) = ln ∣ x ∣ + C \arctan v - \frac{1}{2}\ln(1 + v^2) = \ln|x| + C arctan v − 2 1 ln ( 1 + v 2 ) = ln ∣ x ∣ + C
arctan ( y / x ) − 1 2 ln ( 1 + y 2 / x 2 ) = ln ∣ x ∣ + C \arctan(y/x) - \frac{1}{2}\ln(1 + y^2/x^2) = \ln|x| + C arctan ( y / x ) − 2 1 ln ( 1 + y 2 / x 2 ) = ln ∣ x ∣ + C
arctan ( y / x ) = 1 2 ln ( x 2 + y 2 ) + C \arctan(y/x) = \frac{1}{2}\ln(x^2 + y^2) + C arctan ( y / x ) = 2 1 ln ( x 2 + y 2 ) + C . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 2.10 (Homogeneous Equations).
Solve y ′ ′ + 4 y ′ + 13 y = 0 y'' + 4y' + 13y = 0 y ′′ + 4 y ′ + 13 y = 0 , y ( 0 ) = 2 y(0) = 2 y ( 0 ) = 2 , y ′ ( 0 ) = − 3 y'(0) = -3 y ′ ( 0 ) = − 3 .
Solution Solution. Characteristic equation: r 2 + 4 r + 13 = 0 r^2 + 4r + 13 = 0 r 2 + 4 r + 13 = 0 .
r = − 4 ± 16 − 52 2 = − 4 ± − 36 2 = − 2 ± 3 i r = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 52}}{2} = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{-36}}{2} = -2 \pm 3i r = 2 − 4 ± 16 − 52 = 2 − 4 ± − 36 = − 2 ± 3 i .
y = e − 2 x ( c 1 cos 3 x + c 2 sin 3 x ) y = e^{-2x}(c_1 \cos 3x + c_2 \sin 3x) y = e − 2 x ( c 1 cos 3 x + c 2 sin 3 x ) .
y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 2 y(0) = c_1 = 2 y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 2 .
y ′ = − 2 e − 2 x ( 2 cos 3 x + c 2 sin 3 x ) + e − 2 x ( − 6 sin 3 x + 3 c 2 cos 3 x ) y' = -2e^{-2x}(2\cos 3x + c_2 \sin 3x) + e^{-2x}(-6\sin 3x + 3c_2 \cos 3x) y ′ = − 2 e − 2 x ( 2 cos 3 x + c 2 sin 3 x ) + e − 2 x ( − 6 sin 3 x + 3 c 2 cos 3 x ) .
y ′ ( 0 ) = − 4 + 3 c 2 = − 3 ⟹ c 2 = 1 / 3 y'(0) = -4 + 3c_2 = -3 \implies c_2 = 1/3 y ′ ( 0 ) = − 4 + 3 c 2 = − 3 ⟹ c 2 = 1/3 .
y = e − 2 x ( 2 cos 3 x + 1 3 sin 3 x ) y = e^{-2x}\left(2\cos 3x + \frac{1}{3}\sin 3x\right) y = e − 2 x ( 2 cos 3 x + 3 1 sin 3 x ) . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.2 (Homogeneous Equations with Constant Coefficients).
Solve y ′ ′ + 4 y ′ + 4 y = 0 y'' + 4y' + 4y = 0 y ′′ + 4 y ′ + 4 y = 0 , y ( 0 ) = 1 y(0) = 1 y ( 0 ) = 1 , y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 y'(0) = 0 y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 .
Solution Solution. r 2 + 4 r + 4 = ( r + 2 ) 2 = 0 r^2 + 4r + 4 = (r + 2)^2 = 0 r 2 + 4 r + 4 = ( r + 2 ) 2 = 0 . Repeated root r = − 2 r = -2 r = − 2 .
y = c 1 e − 2 x + c 2 x e − 2 x y = c_1 e^{-2x} + c_2 xe^{-2x} y = c 1 e − 2 x + c 2 x e − 2 x .
y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 1 y(0) = c_1 = 1 y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 1 .
y ′ = − 2 e − 2 x + c 2 e − 2 x − 2 c 2 x e − 2 x y' = -2e^{-2x} + c_2 e^{-2x} - 2c_2 xe^{-2x} y ′ = − 2 e − 2 x + c 2 e − 2 x − 2 c 2 x e − 2 x .
y ′ ( 0 ) = − 2 + c 2 = 0 ⟹ c 2 = 2 y'(0) = -2 + c_2 = 0 \implies c_2 = 2 y ′ ( 0 ) = − 2 + c 2 = 0 ⟹ c 2 = 2 .
y = e − 2 x + 2 x e − 2 x = e − 2 x ( 1 + 2 x ) y = e^{-2x} + 2xe^{-2x} = e^{-2x}(1 + 2x) y = e − 2 x + 2 x e − 2 x = e − 2 x ( 1 + 2 x ) . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.2, Case 2.
Solve y ′ ′ − 2 y ′ − 3 y = 3 e 2 x y'' - 2y' - 3y = 3e^{2x} y ′′ − 2 y ′ − 3 y = 3 e 2 x , y ( 0 ) = 1 y(0) = 1 y ( 0 ) = 1 , y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 y'(0) = 0 y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 .
Solution Solution. Homogeneous: r 2 − 2 r − 3 = ( r − 3 ) ( r + 1 ) = 0 r^2 - 2r - 3 = (r - 3)(r + 1) = 0 r 2 − 2 r − 3 = ( r − 3 ) ( r + 1 ) = 0 . Roots: 3 , − 1 3, -1 3 , − 1 .
y h = c 1 e 3 x + c 2 e − x y_h = c_1 e^{3x} + c_2 e^{-x} y h = c 1 e 3 x + c 2 e − x .
Guess y p = A e 2 x y_p = Ae^{2x} y p = A e 2 x . y p ′ = 2 A e 2 x y_p' = 2Ae^{2x} y p ′ = 2 A e 2 x , y p ′ ′ = 4 A e 2 x y_p'' = 4Ae^{2x} y p ′′ = 4 A e 2 x .
4 A e 2 x − 4 A e 2 x − 3 A e 2 x = 3 e 2 x ⟹ − 3 A = 3 ⟹ A = − 1 4Ae^{2x} - 4Ae^{2x} - 3Ae^{2x} = 3e^{2x} \implies -3A = 3 \implies A = -1 4 A e 2 x − 4 A e 2 x − 3 A e 2 x = 3 e 2 x ⟹ − 3 A = 3 ⟹ A = − 1 .
y = c 1 e 3 x + c 2 e − x − e 2 x y = c_1 e^{3x} + c_2 e^{-x} - e^{2x} y = c 1 e 3 x + c 2 e − x − e 2 x .
y ( 0 ) = c 1 + c 2 − 1 = 1 ⟹ c 1 + c 2 = 2 y(0) = c_1 + c_2 - 1 = 1 \implies c_1 + c_2 = 2 y ( 0 ) = c 1 + c 2 − 1 = 1 ⟹ c 1 + c 2 = 2 .
y ′ ( 0 ) = 3 c 1 − c 2 − 2 = 0 ⟹ 3 c 1 − c 2 = 2 y'(0) = 3c_1 - c_2 - 2 = 0 \implies 3c_1 - c_2 = 2 y ′ ( 0 ) = 3 c 1 − c 2 − 2 = 0 ⟹ 3 c 1 − c 2 = 2 .
Solving: 4 c 1 = 4 ⟹ c 1 = 1 4c_1 = 4 \implies c_1 = 1 4 c 1 = 4 ⟹ c 1 = 1 , c 2 = 1 c_2 = 1 c 2 = 1 .
y = e 3 x + e − x − e 2 x y = e^{3x} + e^{-x} - e^{2x} y = e 3 x + e − x − e 2 x . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.6 (Undetermined Coefficients).
Solve y ′ ′ + 4 y = 8 cos ( 2 t ) y'' + 4y = 8\cos(2t) y ′′ + 4 y = 8 cos ( 2 t ) , y ( 0 ) = 0 y(0) = 0 y ( 0 ) = 0 , y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 y'(0) = 0 y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 .
Solution Solution. This is resonant (ω 0 = 2 = ω \omega_0 = 2 = \omega ω 0 = 2 = ω ).
y h = c 1 cos 2 t + c 2 sin 2 t y_h = c_1 \cos 2t + c_2 \sin 2t y h = c 1 cos 2 t + c 2 sin 2 t .
Guess y p = A t sin 2 t y_p = At\sin 2t y p = A t sin 2 t . y p ′ = A sin 2 t + 2 A t cos 2 t y_p' = A\sin 2t + 2At\cos 2t y p ′ = A sin 2 t + 2 A t cos 2 t . y p ′ ′ = 2 A cos 2 t + 2 A cos 2 t − 4 A t sin 2 t = 4 A cos 2 t − 4 A t sin 2 t y_p'' = 2A\cos 2t + 2A\cos 2t - 4At\sin 2t = 4A\cos 2t - 4At\sin 2t y p ′′ = 2 A cos 2 t + 2 A cos 2 t − 4 A t sin 2 t = 4 A cos 2 t − 4 A t sin 2 t .
y p ′ ′ + 4 y p = 4 A cos 2 t = 8 cos 2 t ⟹ A = 2 y_p'' + 4y_p = 4A\cos 2t = 8\cos 2t \implies A = 2 y p ′′ + 4 y p = 4 A cos 2 t = 8 cos 2 t ⟹ A = 2 .
y = c 1 cos 2 t + c 2 sin 2 t + 2 t sin 2 t y = c_1 \cos 2t + c_2 \sin 2t + 2t\sin 2t y = c 1 cos 2 t + c 2 sin 2 t + 2 t sin 2 t .
y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 0 y(0) = c_1 = 0 y ( 0 ) = c 1 = 0 . y ′ ( 0 ) = 2 c 2 = 0 ⟹ c 2 = 0 y'(0) = 2c_2 = 0 \implies c_2 = 0 y ′ ( 0 ) = 2 c 2 = 0 ⟹ c 2 = 0 .
y = 2 t sin 2 t y = 2t\sin 2t y = 2 t sin 2 t . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.9 (Resonance).
Given that y 1 = x y_1 = x y 1 = x solves x 2 y ′ ′ − x y ′ + y = 0 x^2 y'' - xy' + y = 0 x 2 y ′′ − x y ′ + y = 0 for x > 0 x > 0 x > 0 Find the general solution.
Solution Solution. Rewrite as y ′ ′ − 1 x y ′ + 1 x 2 y = 0 y'' - \frac{1}{x}y' + \frac{1}{x^2}y = 0 y ′′ − x 1 y ′ + x 2 1 y = 0 . Here p ( x ) = − 1 / x p(x) = -1/x p ( x ) = − 1/ x .
e − ∫ p d x = e ∫ 1 / x d x = x e^{-\int p\, dx} = e^{\int 1/x\, dx} = x e − ∫ p d x = e ∫ 1/ x d x = x .
y 2 = y 1 ∫ x y 1 2 d x = x ∫ x x 2 d x = x ∫ 1 x d x = x ln x y_2 = y_1 \int \frac{x}{y_1^2}\, dx = x \int \frac{x}{x^2}\, dx = x \int \frac{1}{x}\, dx = x \ln x y 2 = y 1 ∫ y 1 2 x d x = x ∫ x 2 x d x = x ∫ x 1 d x = x ln x .
y = c 1 x + c 2 x ln x y = c_1 x + c_2 x \ln x y = c 1 x + c 2 x ln x . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.12 (Reduction of Order).
Solve x 2 y ′ ′ + 3 x y ′ + y = 0 x^2 y'' + 3xy' + y = 0 x 2 y ′′ + 3 x y ′ + y = 0 for x > 0 x > 0 x > 0 .
Solution Solution. Characteristic: r ( r − 1 ) + 3 r + 1 = r 2 + 2 r + 1 = ( r + 1 ) 2 = 0 r(r-1) + 3r + 1 = r^2 + 2r + 1 = (r+1)^2 = 0 r ( r − 1 ) + 3 r + 1 = r 2 + 2 r + 1 = ( r + 1 ) 2 = 0 .
Repeated root r = − 1 r = -1 r = − 1 .
y = c 1 x − 1 + c 2 x − 1 ln x y = c_1 x^{-1} + c_2 x^{-1}\ln x y = c 1 x − 1 + c 2 x − 1 ln x . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 3.13 (Euler-Cauchy Equations).
Solve x ′ = ( 1 4 1 − 2 ) x \mathbf{x}' = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 4 \\ 1 & -2 \end{pmatrix}\mathbf{x} x ′ = ( 1 1 4 − 2 ) x .
Solution Solution. det ( A − λ I ) = ( 1 − λ ) ( − 2 − λ ) − 4 = λ 2 + λ − 6 = ( λ + 3 ) ( λ − 2 ) = 0 \det(A - \lambda I) = (1 - \lambda)(-2 - \lambda) - 4 = \lambda^2 + \lambda - 6 = (\lambda + 3)(\lambda - 2) = 0 det ( A − λ I ) = ( 1 − λ ) ( − 2 − λ ) − 4 = λ 2 + λ − 6 = ( λ + 3 ) ( λ − 2 ) = 0 .
λ 1 = 2 \lambda_1 = 2 λ 1 = 2 : ( A − 2 I ) v = ( − 1 4 1 − 4 ) v = 0 (A - 2I)\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} -1 & 4 \\ 1 & -4 \end{pmatrix}\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{0} ( A − 2 I ) v = ( − 1 1 4 − 4 ) v = 0 . v 1 = ( 4 1 ) \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} v 1 = ( 4 1 ) .
λ 2 = − 3 \lambda_2 = -3 λ 2 = − 3 : ( A + 3 I ) v = ( 4 4 1 1 ) v = 0 (A + 3I)\mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} 4 & 4 \\ 1 & 1 \end{pmatrix}\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{0} ( A + 3 I ) v = ( 4 1 4 1 ) v = 0 . v 2 = ( 1 − 1 ) \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} v 2 = ( 1 − 1 ) .
x ( t ) = c 1 ( 4 1 ) e 2 t + c 2 ( 1 − 1 ) e − 3 t \mathbf{x}(t) = c_1 \begin{pmatrix} 4 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} e^{2t} + c_2 \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} e^{-3t} x ( t ) = c 1 ( 4 1 ) e 2 t + c 2 ( 1 − 1 ) e − 3 t . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.2 (Homogeneous Systems with Constant Coefficients).
Solve x ′ = ( 0 − 1 1 0 ) x \mathbf{x}' = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & -1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}\mathbf{x} x ′ = ( 0 1 − 1 0 ) x .
Solution Solution. det ( A − λ I ) = λ 2 + 1 = 0 \det(A - \lambda I) = \lambda^2 + 1 = 0 det ( A − λ I ) = λ 2 + 1 = 0 . λ = ± i \lambda = \pm i λ = ± i .
For λ = i \lambda = i λ = i : ( − i − 1 1 − i ) v = 0 \begin{pmatrix} -i & -1 \\ 1 & -i \end{pmatrix}\mathbf{v} = \mathbf{0} ( − i 1 − 1 − i ) v = 0 . − i v 1 − v 2 = 0 ⟹ v 2 = − i v 1 -iv_1 - v_2 = 0 \implies v_2 = -iv_1 − i v 1 − v 2 = 0 ⟹ v 2 = − i v 1 . With v 1 = 1 v_1 = 1 v 1 = 1 : v = ( 1 − i ) = ( 1 0 ) + i ( 0 − 1 ) \mathbf{v} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -i \end{pmatrix} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} + i\begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} v = ( 1 − i ) = ( 1 0 ) + i ( 0 − 1 ) .
a = ( 1 0 ) \mathbf{a} = \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} a = ( 1 0 ) , b = ( 0 − 1 ) \mathbf{b} = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix} b = ( 0 − 1 ) .
x ( t ) = c 1 ( cos t − sin t ) + c 2 ( sin t cos t ) \mathbf{x}(t) = c_1 \begin{pmatrix} \cos t \\ -\sin t \end{pmatrix} + c_2 \begin{pmatrix} \sin t \\ \cos t \end{pmatrix} x ( t ) = c 1 ( cos t − sin t ) + c 2 ( sin t cos t ) .
Equivalently: x 1 ( t ) = c 1 cos t + c 2 sin t x_1(t) = c_1 \cos t + c_2 \sin t x 1 ( t ) = c 1 cos t + c 2 sin t , x 2 ( t ) = − c 1 sin t + c 2 cos t x_2(t) = -c_1 \sin t + c_2 \cos t x 2 ( t ) = − c 1 sin t + c 2 cos t . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 4.2, Case 3.
Compute L { t 2 e − 3 t } \mathcal{L}\{t^2 e^{-3t}\} L { t 2 e − 3 t } .
Solution Solution. Using L { t n e a t } = n ! ( s − a ) n + 1 \mathcal{L}\{t^n e^{at}\} = \frac{n!}{(s-a)^{n+1}} L { t n e a t } = ( s − a ) n + 1 n ! with n = 2 n = 2 n = 2 , a = − 3 a = -3 a = − 3 :
L { t 2 e − 3 t } = 2 ! ( s + 3 ) 3 = 2 ( s + 3 ) 3 \mathcal{L}\{t^2 e^{-3t}\} = \frac{2!}{(s + 3)^3} = \frac{2}{(s+3)^3} L { t 2 e − 3 t } = ( s + 3 ) 3 2 ! = ( s + 3 ) 3 2 . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.2 (Basic Properties) and Section 5.4 (Common Transforms).
Solve y ′ ′ − y = e t y'' - y = e^t y ′′ − y = e t , y ( 0 ) = 0 y(0) = 0 y ( 0 ) = 0 , y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 y'(0) = 0 y ′ ( 0 ) = 0 using Laplace transforms.
Solution Solution. L { y ′ − L { y } = L { e t } {\mathcal{L}\{y'} - \mathcal{L}\{y\} = \mathcal{L}\{e^t\} L { y ′ − L { y } = L { e t } :
s 2 Y − Y = 1 s − 1 s^2 Y - Y = \frac{1}{s - 1} s 2 Y − Y = s − 1 1
( s 2 − 1 ) Y = 1 s − 1 (s^2 - 1)Y = \frac{1}{s-1} ( s 2 − 1 ) Y = s − 1 1
( s − 1 ) ( s + 1 ) Y = 1 s − 1 (s-1)(s+1)Y = \frac{1}{s-1} ( s − 1 ) ( s + 1 ) Y = s − 1 1
Y = 1 ( s − 1 ) 2 ( s + 1 ) Y = \frac{1}{(s-1)^2(s+1)} Y = ( s − 1 ) 2 ( s + 1 ) 1
Partial fractions: 1 ( s − 1 ) 2 ( s + 1 ) = A s − 1 + B ( s − 1 ) 2 + C s + 1 \frac{1}{(s-1)^2(s+1)} = \frac{A}{s-1} + \frac{B}{(s-1)^2} + \frac{C}{s+1} ( s − 1 ) 2 ( s + 1 ) 1 = s − 1 A + ( s − 1 ) 2 B + s + 1 C .
1 = A ( s − 1 ) ( s + 1 ) + B ( s + 1 ) + C ( s − 1 ) 2 1 = A(s-1)(s+1) + B(s+1) + C(s-1)^2 1 = A ( s − 1 ) ( s + 1 ) + B ( s + 1 ) + C ( s − 1 ) 2
s = 1 s = 1 s = 1 : 1 = 2 B ⟹ B = 1 / 2 1 = 2B \implies B = 1/2 1 = 2 B ⟹ B = 1/2 . s = − 1 s = -1 s = − 1 : 1 = 4 C ⟹ C = 1 / 4 1 = 4C \implies C = 1/4 1 = 4 C ⟹ C = 1/4 . s = 0 s = 0 s = 0 : 1 = − A + B + C = − A + 3 / 4 ⟹ A = − 1 / 4 1 = -A + B + C = -A + 3/4 \implies A = -1/4 1 = − A + B + C = − A + 3/4 ⟹ A = − 1/4 .
Y = − 1 / 4 s − 1 + 1 / 2 ( s − 1 ) 2 + 1 / 4 s + 1 Y = -\frac{1/4}{s-1} + \frac{1/2}{(s-1)^2} + \frac{1/4}{s+1} Y = − s − 1 1/4 + ( s − 1 ) 2 1/2 + s + 1 1/4
y ( t ) = − 1 4 e t + 1 2 t e t + 1 4 e − t y(t) = -\frac{1}{4}e^t + \frac{1}{2}te^t + \frac{1}{4}e^{-t} y ( t ) = − 4 1 e t + 2 1 t e t + 4 1 e − t . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.5 (Solving IVPs with Laplace Transforms).
Find L − 1 { 2 s + 3 s 2 + 2 s + 5 } \mathcal{L}^{-1}\left\{\frac{2s + 3}{s^2 + 2s + 5}\right\} L − 1 { s 2 + 2 s + 5 2 s + 3 } .
Solution Solution. Complete the square: s 2 + 2 s + 5 = ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 s^2 + 2s + 5 = (s + 1)^2 + 4 s 2 + 2 s + 5 = ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 .
2 s + 3 ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 = 2 ( s + 1 ) + 1 ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 = 2 ⋅ s + 1 ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 + 1 2 ⋅ 2 ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 \frac{2s + 3}{(s+1)^2 + 4} = \frac{2(s+1) + 1}{(s+1)^2 + 4} = 2 \cdot \frac{s+1}{(s+1)^2 + 4} + \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{(s+1)^2 + 4} ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 2 s + 3 = ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 2 ( s + 1 ) + 1 = 2 ⋅ ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 s + 1 + 2 1 ⋅ ( s + 1 ) 2 + 4 2
f ( t ) = 2 e − t cos 2 t + 1 2 e − t sin 2 t = e − t ( 2 cos 2 t + 1 2 sin 2 t ) f(t) = 2e^{-t}\cos 2t + \frac{1}{2}e^{-t}\sin 2t = e^{-t}\left(2\cos 2t + \frac{1}{2}\sin 2t\right) f ( t ) = 2 e − t cos 2 t + 2 1 e − t sin 2 t = e − t ( 2 cos 2 t + 2 1 sin 2 t ) . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 5.8 (Worked Example: Inverse Laplace Transform).
Find the Fourier series of f ( x ) = { 1 0 < x < π − 1 − π < x < 0 f(x) = \begin{cases} 1 & 0 \lt x \lt \pi \\ -1 & -\pi \lt x \lt 0 \end{cases} f ( x ) = { 1 − 1 0 < x < π − π < x < 0 Extended 2 π 2\pi 2 π -periodically (the square wave).
Solution Solution. f f f is odd, so a n = 0 a_n = 0 a n = 0 for all n n n .
b n = 1 π ∫ − π π f ( x ) sin ( n x ) d x = 1 π [ ∫ − π 0 ( − 1 ) sin ( n x ) d x + ∫ 0 π ( 1 ) sin ( n x ) d x ] b_n = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\pi}^{\pi} f(x)\sin(nx)\, dx = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\int_{-\pi}^{0}(-1)\sin(nx)\, dx + \int_0^{\pi}(1)\sin(nx)\, dx\right] b n = π 1 ∫ − π π f ( x ) sin ( n x ) d x = π 1 [ ∫ − π 0 ( − 1 ) sin ( n x ) d x + ∫ 0 π ( 1 ) sin ( n x ) d x ]
= 1 π [ cos ( n x ) n ∣ − π 0 − cos ( n x ) n ∣ 0 π ] = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\frac{\cos(nx)}{n}\Big|_{-\pi}^0 - \frac{\cos(nx)}{n}\Big|_0^{\pi}\right] = π 1 [ n c o s ( n x ) − π 0 − n c o s ( n x ) 0 π ]
= 1 π [ 1 − cos ( n π ) n − cos ( n π ) − 1 n ] = 1 π [ 2 − 2 cos ( n π ) n ] = 2 ( 1 − ( − 1 ) n ) n π = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\frac{1 - \cos(n\pi)}{n} - \frac{\cos(n\pi) - 1}{n}\right] = \frac{1}{\pi}\left[\frac{2 - 2\cos(n\pi)}{n}\right] = \frac{2(1 - (-1)^n)}{n\pi} = π 1 [ n 1 − c o s ( nπ ) − n c o s ( nπ ) − 1 ] = π 1 [ n 2 − 2 c o s ( nπ ) ] = nπ 2 ( 1 − ( − 1 ) n )
For even n n n : b n = 0 b_n = 0 b n = 0 . For odd n = 2 k + 1 n = 2k + 1 n = 2 k + 1 : b n = 4 n π b_n = \frac{4}{n\pi} b n = nπ 4 .
f ( x ) ∼ 4 π ∑ k = 0 ∞ sin ( ( 2 k + 1 ) x ) 2 k + 1 f(x) \sim \frac{4}{\pi}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin((2k+1)x)}{2k+1} f ( x ) ∼ π 4 ∑ k = 0 ∞ 2 k + 1 s i n (( 2 k + 1 ) x ) . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 7.1 and 7.6 (Fourier Series).
Solve u t = 4 u x x u_t = 4u_{xx} u t = 4 u xx for 0 < x < π 0 \lt x \lt \pi 0 < x < π , t > 0 t > 0 t > 0 With u ( 0 , t ) = u ( π , t ) = 0 u(0, t) = u(\pi, t) = 0 u ( 0 , t ) = u ( π , t ) = 0 and u ( x , 0 ) = sin x u(x, 0) = \sin x u ( x , 0 ) = sin x .
Solution Solution. Here α = 2 \alpha = 2 α = 2 and L = π L = \pi L = π .
λ n = ( n π / π ) 2 = n 2 \lambda_n = (n\pi/\pi)^2 = n^2 λ n = ( nπ / π ) 2 = n 2 , X n = sin ( n x ) X_n = \sin(nx) X n = sin ( n x ) , T n = e − 4 n 2 t T_n = e^{-4n^2 t} T n = e − 4 n 2 t .
The initial condition sin x \sin x sin x is already the first sine mode.
u ( x , t ) = e − 4 t sin x u(x, t) = e^{-4t}\sin x u ( x , t ) = e − 4 t sin x . ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 8.4 (Solving the Heat Equation by Separation of Variables).
Find and classify the critical points of x ′ = y − x 2 x' = y - x^2 x ′ = y − x 2 , y ′ = x − y 2 y' = x - y^2 y ′ = x − y 2 .
Solution Solution. Set y − x 2 = 0 y - x^2 = 0 y − x 2 = 0 and x − y 2 = 0 x - y^2 = 0 x − y 2 = 0 . From the first equation y = x 2 y = x^2 y = x 2 Substituting Into the second: x − x 4 = 0 x - x^4 = 0 x − x 4 = 0 So x ( 1 − x 3 ) = 0 x(1 - x^3) = 0 x ( 1 − x 3 ) = 0 .
x = 0 ⟹ y = 0 x = 0 \implies y = 0 x = 0 ⟹ y = 0 . Critical point: ( 0 , 0 ) (0, 0) ( 0 , 0 ) . x = 1 ⟹ y = 1 x = 1 \implies y = 1 x = 1 ⟹ y = 1 . Critical point: ( 1 , 1 ) (1, 1) ( 1 , 1 ) .
Jacobian: J = ( − 2 x 1 1 − 2 y ) J = \begin{pmatrix} -2x & 1 \\ 1 & -2y \end{pmatrix} J = ( − 2 x 1 1 − 2 y ) .
At ( 0 , 0 ) (0, 0) ( 0 , 0 ) : J = ( 0 1 1 0 ) J = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix} J = ( 0 1 1 0 ) . t r ( J ) = 0 \mathrm{tr}(J) = 0 tr ( J ) = 0 , det ( J ) = − 1 < 0 \det(J) = -1 \lt 0 det ( J ) = − 1 < 0 . Saddle point (unstable).
At ( 1 , 1 ) (1, 1) ( 1 , 1 ) : J = ( − 2 1 1 − 2 ) J = \begin{pmatrix} -2 & 1 \\ 1 & -2 \end{pmatrix} J = ( − 2 1 1 − 2 ) . t r ( J ) = − 4 < 0 \mathrm{tr}(J) = -4 \lt 0 tr ( J ) = − 4 < 0 , det ( J ) = 3 > 0 \det(J) = 3 > 0 det ( J ) = 3 > 0 . τ 2 − 4 Δ = 16 − 12 = 4 > 0 \tau^2 - 4\Delta = 16 - 12 = 4 > 0 τ 2 − 4Δ = 16 − 12 = 4 > 0 . Two distinct negative real eigenvalues. Stable node (asymptotically stable). ■ \blacksquare ■
If you get this wrong, revise: Section 9.2 (Linearization and Stability) and Section 4.9 (Phase Portrait Analysis).
Problem. Solve y ′ ′ − 5 y ′ + 6 y = 0 y'' - 5y' + 6y = 0 y ′′ − 5 y ′ + 6 y = 0 .
Solution. Characteristic equation: r 2 − 5 r + 6 = ( r − 2 ) ( r − 3 ) = 0 r^2 - 5r + 6 = (r-2)(r-3) = 0 r 2 − 5 r + 6 = ( r − 2 ) ( r − 3 ) = 0 . Roots: r = 2 , 3 r = 2, 3 r = 2 , 3 .
General solution: y = A e 2 x + B e 3 x y = Ae^{2x} + Be^{3x} y = A e 2 x + B e 3 x .
■ \blacksquare ■
Problem. Solve y ′ ′ − 5 y ′ + 6 y = e x y'' - 5y' + 6y = e^x y ′′ − 5 y ′ + 6 y = e x .
Solution. Complementary function (from above): y c = A e 2 x + B e 3 x y_c = Ae^{2x} + Be^{3x} y c = A e 2 x + B e 3 x .
Particular integral: try y p = C e x y_p = Ce^x y p = C e x . Substituting: C e x − 5 C e x + 6 C e x = 2 C e x = e x ⟹ C = 1 / 2 Ce^x - 5Ce^x + 6Ce^x = 2Ce^x = e^x \implies C = 1/2 C e x − 5 C e x + 6 C e x = 2 C e x = e x ⟹ C = 1/2 .
General solution: y = A e 2 x + B e 3 x + 1 2 e x y = Ae^{2x} + Be^{3x} + \frac{1}{2}e^x y = A e 2 x + B e 3 x + 2 1 e x .
■ \blacksquare ■
Ordinary differential equations describe how quantities evolve, and each method in this problem set corresponds to a different structural pattern. Separable equations factorise the rate of change; linear first-order equations have integrating factors that straighten them out; constant-coefficient equations have exponential solutions because exponentials are eigenfunctions of differentiation. The Laplace transform converts differential equations into algebraic ones by shifting the problem from the time domain to the frequency domain. Phase plane analysis reveals the qualitative behaviour of systems without solving them explicitly, like reading the weather from a map rather than computing every air molecule.
Confusing homogeneous and non-homogeneous ODEs. Homogeneous: f ( x , y , y ′ ) = 0 f(x, y, y') = 0 f ( x , y , y ′ ) = 0 with no forcing term. Non-homogeneous: has a forcing function. Fix: For non-homogeneous linear ODEs: general solution = complementary function + particular integral.Wrong particular integral guess. The guess for the particular integral must not overlap with the complementary function. Fix: If the guess overlaps, multiply by x x x (or x 2 x^2 x 2 for double roots).Confusing order and degree. Order: highest derivative present. Degree: power of the highest derivative after removing radicals and fractions. Fix: y ′ ′ + 3 y ′ + 2 y = 0 y'' + 3y' + 2y = 0 y ′′ + 3 y ′ + 2 y = 0 : order 2, degree 1. A[11_Problem Set] --> B[Key Concepts]
A --> D[Practical Applications]
B --> E[Fundamental definitions]
D --> G[Real-world usage]
First-order separable: d y d x = f ( x ) g ( y ) ⟹ ∫ d y g ( y ) = ∫ f ( x ) d x \frac{dy}{dx} = f(x)g(y) \implies \int \frac{dy}{g(y)} = \int f(x)\, dx d x d y = f ( x ) g ( y ) ⟹ ∫ g ( y ) d y = ∫ f ( x ) d x . Second-order linear homogeneous: characteristic equation a r 2 + b r + c = 0 ar^2 + br + c = 0 a r 2 + b r + c = 0 . Non-homogeneous: y = y c + y p y = y_c + y_p y = y c + y p (complementary + particular integral). Initial/boundary conditions determine the arbitrary constants. Topic Site Link [Differential Equations] A-Level View [Differential Equations] IB View [Differential Equations] University View