Problem 1 (Classification) 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).
Problem 2 (Separable Equation) 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).
Problem 3 (Linear First-Order) 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).
Problem 4 (Exact Equation) 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).
Problem 5 (Bernoulli Equation) 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).
Problem 6 (Homogeneous Substitution) 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).
Problem 7 (Complex Roots) 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).
Problem 8 (Repeated Roots) 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.
Problem 9 (Undetermined Coefficients) 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).
Problem 10 (Resonance) 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).
Problem 11 (Reduction of Order) 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).
Problem 12 (Euler-Cauchy) 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).
Problem 13 (2x2 System) 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).
Problem 14 (System with Complex Eigenvalues) 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).
Problem 16 (IVP with Laplace) 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).
Problem 17 (Inverse Laplace) 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).
Problem 18 (Fourier Series) 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).
Problem 19 (Heat Equation) 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).
Problem 20 (Stability Classification) 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).
Worked Examples Example 1: Second-order linear ODE 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 ■
Example 2: Non-homogeneous ODE 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 ■
Common Pitfalls 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.Summary 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. Cross-References Topic Site Link [Differential Equations] A-Level View [Differential Equations] IB View [Differential Equations] University View