Science:Math Exam Resources/Courses/MATH101/April 2008/Question 04 (a)

MATH101 April 2008

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Question 04 (a)
Solve the initial-value problem $2y''+5y'+3y=0,\quad y(0)=3,\quad y'(0)=-4.$

Make sure you understand the problem fully: What is the question asking you to do? Are there specific conditions or constraints that you should take note of? How will you know if your answer is correct from your work only? Can you rephrase the question in your own words in a way that makes sense to you?

If you are stuck, check the hints below. Read the first one and consider it for a while. Does it give you a new idea on how to approach the problem? If so, try it! If after a while you are still stuck, go for the next hint.

Hint 1
This is a homogeneous second order differential equation.

Hint 2
Find the roots of the auxiliary polynomial, namely the roots of $2x^{2}+5x+3=0$

Hint 3
Then solve for the constants using the initial conditions.

Checking a solution serves two purposes: helping you if, after having used all the hints, you still are stuck on the problem; or if you have solved the problem and would like to check your work. If you are stuck on a problem: Read the solution slowly and as soon as you feel you could finish the problem on your own, hide it and work on the problem. Come back later to the solution if you are stuck or if you want to check your work. If you want to check your work: Don't only focus on the answer, problems are mostly marked for the work you do, make sure you understand all the steps that were required to complete the problem and see if you made mistakes or forgot some aspects. Your goal is to check that your mental process was correct, not only the result.

Solution

Found a typo? Is this solution unclear? Let us know here. Please rate my easiness! It's quick and helps everyone guide their studies. Setting up the auxiliary polynomial and computing the roots gives $2x^{2}+5x+3=(2x+3)(x+1)$ and so the roots are $x=-{\frac {3}{2}}$ and $x=-1$. Thus, the general solution to this differential equation is $\displaystyle y=c_{1}e^{-(3/2)x}+c_{2}e^{-x}$ Now, we plug in the initial conditions. Finding the derivative, we have $y'=-{\frac {3c_{1}}{2}}e^{-3/2x}-c_{2}e^{-x}$ At the initial condition $y'(0)=-4$, we have $-4=y'(0)=-{\frac {3c_{1}}{2}}e^{-3/2(0)}-3c_{2}e^{-(0)}=-{\frac {3c_{1}}{2}}-c_{2}$ Clearing denominators and simplifying yields $8=3c_{1}+2c_{2}$ At the initial condition $y(0)=3$, we have $3=y(0)=c_{1}e^{-3/2(0)}+c_{2}e^{-3(0)}=c_{1}+c_{2}$ We solve for the constants. Taking $-3$ times the second equation and adding to the first yields $-1=-c_{2}$ and so $c_{2}=1$. Taking $-2$ times the second equation and adding it to the first yields $2=c_{1}$ and so $c_{1}=2$. Thus, the solution is $\displaystyle y=2e^{-3/2x}+e^{-3x}$ completing the question.

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