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ODEs

This document discusses methods for solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) including homogeneous and non-homogeneous equations. It presents the auxiliary equation method for solving second and higher order linear homogeneous ODEs by finding the roots of the auxiliary equation and using the superposition principle. Examples are provided to demonstrate the method.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
72 views13 pages

ODEs

This document discusses methods for solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) including homogeneous and non-homogeneous equations. It presents the auxiliary equation method for solving second and higher order linear homogeneous ODEs by finding the roots of the auxiliary equation and using the superposition principle. Examples are provided to demonstrate the method.

Uploaded by

waalihabux
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ordinary Differential Equations and Systems of

Ordinary Differential Equations


(Auxiliary Equation/Undetermined Coefficient Method)

1 Solving Ordinary Differential Equations


1.1 Introduction
The general form of the Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) with constant coefficients
is:
n n−1
a1 ddtny + a2 ddtn−1y + · · · + an dy
dt
+ an+1 y = g(t),

where a1 , a2 , a3 , · · · · · · an+1 are constants


The ODE has the general solution y = y(t) = yCF + yPI
yCF is called the Complementary Function and
yPI is called the Particular Integral
When g(t) = 0, the differential equation is said to be Homogeneous. In this case yPI = 0
in the solution.
When g(t) ̸= 0 (the right hand side of the ODE), the differential equation is said to be
Inhomogeneous or Non-Homogeneous

1.2 Homogeneous ODE’s


1.2.1 The Superposition Principle
If each of y = y1 (t), y = y2 (t), · · · , y = yn (t) is a solution of the Homogeneous ODE then
y = y(t) = c1 y1 (t) + c2 y2 (t) + · · · + cn yn (t) is also a solution of the ODE

Example
For the differential equation ẍ+2ẋ+x = 0, both of x(t) = e−t and x(t) = te−t are solutions
of the ODE. Thus by the superposition principle, x(t) = c1 e−t + c2 te−t = (c1 + c2 t)e−t is
also a solution.

1.3 First Order Linear Homogeneous ODE’s


Recall that the first order linear Homogeneous ODE

a dy
dt
+ by = 0

has solution of the form


y = c1 emt where m = − ab

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 1


dy
a + by = 0
dt
dy
a = −by
dt
Z Z
1 b
dy = − dt
y a

ln(y) = − ab t + A
b b
y = e− a t+A = c1 e− a t

1.4 Second and Higher Order Linear Homogeneous ODE’s


Assuming that the solution, which is valid for the first order ODE, will also be a solution
of second and higher order ODE’s, leads to a method of solution for second and higher
order ODE’s. The method for the solution of second order ODE’s is developed below and
it should be noted that the method can be extended to solving ODE’s of higher orders.
Assume y = emt is a solution of the second order ODE.

d2 y dy
a1 2
+ a2 + a3 y = 0
dt dt
dy d2 y
Therefore = memt and 2 = m2 emt and substitution into the ODE yields
dt dt
a1 m2 emt + a2 memt + a + 3emt = 0 ⇒ emt (a1 m2 + a2 m + a3 ) = 0

⇒ a1 m2 + a2 m + a3 = 0
.
This equation is called the Auxiliary (or Characteristic) Equation. The roots of the
auxiliary equation m = m1 and m = m2 yields two (not necessarily distinct) solutions of
the ODE i.e y1 = em1 t and y2 = em2 t . This suggests the following method for solving the
ODE.

1.4.1 Method of solution of the Homogeneous ODE


1. Form the Auxiliary equation of the ODE. a1 m2 + a2 m + a3 = 0

2. Find the roots of the Auxiliary equation i.e m = m1 , m = m2


Note that there are three cases to consider depending on the nature of the roots,

(a) Real unequal roots (∆ > 0),


(b) Real and equal roots (∆ = 0) and
(c) Non-Real roots (∆ < 0)

3. Form the General Solution of the homogeneous ODE using the roots of the Auxiliary
Equation and the Superposition Principle as follows:

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 2


(a) Roots real and unequal i.e m1 ̸= m2
General solution has the form y = c1 em1 t + c2 em2 t
Since m1 ̸= m2 the differential equation has two distinct solutions, y1 = em1 t
and y2 = em2 t and so by Superposition, the general solution of the ODE is thus

y = c1 y1 + c2 y2 = c1 em1 t + c2 em2 t

(b) Roots real and equal i.e m = m1 = m2


General solution has the form y = (c1 + c2 t) emt
Since m1 = m2 = m the solutions y1 and y2 are equal i.e y1 = y2 = emt and so by
superposition y = c1 emt + c2 emt = Aemt , producing a solution containing only
one arbitrary constant. Since the general solution of a second order ordinary
differential equation must contain two arbitrary constants, the above solution
is insufficient.
It can be shown using a method called Reduction of Order, that y = temt
is also a solution of the differential equation is the case where the auxiliary
equation has equal roots. Thus, again by superposition, the general solution
of this differential equation is

y = c1 y1 + c2 y2 = c1 emt + c2 temt = (c1 + c2 t)emt

(c) Roots non-real i.e m = α ± jβ


General Solution has the form y = eαt (c1 cos βt + c2 sin βt)
Since m = α ± jβ ⇒ m1 = α + jβ and m2 = α − jβ and so, y1 = e(α+jβ)t and
y2 = e(α−jβ)t , and by superposition;

y = A1 e(α+jβ)t + A2 e(α−jβ)t

= A1 eαt · ejβt + A2 eαt · e−jβt

= eαt [A1 ejβt + A2 e−jβt ]


= eαt [A1 [cos(βt) + j sin(βt)] + A2 [cos(βt) − j sin(βt)] ]
(since ejat = cos at + j sin at, and
e−jat = cos at − j sin at)
= eαt [(A1 + A2 ) cos βt + j(A1 − A2 ) sin(βt)]
= eαt [c1 cos(βt) + c2 sin(βt)]
(where c1 = A1 + A2 and c2 = j(A1 − A2 ))

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 3


Examples:

1. Solve the following ODE’s:

a) 2y ′′ + 6y ′ + 4y = 0 where y(0) = 2 and y ′ (0) = −1

2m2 + 6m + 4 = 0 ⇒ (m + 2)(m + 1) = 0 ⇒ m = −2 or m = −1
Roots real and unequal. Therefore, the general solution is;
y = c1 e−t + c2 e−2t .

Applying initial conditions:


y(0) = 2 ⇒ 2 = c1 e0 + c2 e0 ⇒ c1 + c2 = 2 · · · (i)
Now, y ′ (t) = −c1 e−t − 2c2 e−2t and so,
y ′ (0) = −1 = −c1 e0 − 2c2 e0 ⇒ c1 + 2c2 = 1 · · · (ii)
Solving (i) and (i) simultaneously yields; c1 = −1 and c2 = 3
Therefore, the complete solution is; y = −e−t + 3e−2t

b) 4ẍ + 12ẋ + 9x = 0

4m2 + 12m + 9 = 0 ⇒ (2m + 3)2 = 0 ⇒ m = − 23


Roots are real and equal. Therefore, the solution is;
3
y = (c1 + c2 t)e− 2 t
2
d y dy
c) 2 dx2 + 3 dx + 2y = 0

p √ √
−3 ± 32 − 4(2)(2) 3 −7 3 7
2m2 + 3m + 2 = 0 ⇒ m = =− ± =− ±j
2(2) 4 4 4 4

3
√ √
Therefore y = e− 4 t (c1 cos 4
7
t + c2 sin 4
7
t)

2. Find the general solution of the ODE which has a characteristic equation of the
form
(m − 5)(m2 + 2m + 2)(2m + 3)3 (m − 4)(m + 6) = 0

m − 5 = 0 or m2 + 2m + 1 = 0 or (2m + 3)3 = 0 or m − 4 = 0 or m + 6 = 0

−2± −4
m = 5 or m = 4
= − 12 ± j 12 or m = − 23 (repeated (3)) or m = 4 or m = −6
Therefore
1 3
y = c1 e5t + e− 2 t [c2 cos( 12 t) + c3 sin( 12 t)] + (c4 + c5 t + c6 t2 )e− 2 t + c7 e−4t + c8 e−6t

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 4


Exercises
Solve the following Homogeneous linear Equations (Answers are not given. Check your
answers by substituting each one into the given differential equation)

1. y ′′ − 6y ′ + 13y = 0

2. y ′′′ + 2y ′′ − 15y ′ = 0

3. y ′′′ + 4y ′′ + y ′ − 6y = 0

4. y ′′′ − y ′′ + 16y ′ − 16y = 0

5. y iv + y ′′′ = 0

1.5 Non - homogeneous ODE


As in the Homogeneous case, we describe the method for solving the the non-homogeneous
case for second order ODE’s. The method then applies to all higher order ODE’s.
Solve
d2 y dy
a1 + a2 + a3 y = g(t), where g(t) ̸= 0
dt dt

1.5.1 Method of solution


1. Solve the Reduced Homogeneous Equation, (i.e the homogeneous equation that
results from seting g(t) = 0 on the right hand side of the ODE).
The solution of the reduced equation is called the Complementary Function
y = yCF

2. Use the method of Undetermined coefficients (discussed in the next section), to


find the Particular Integral y = yP I

3. The General Solution is given by y = yCF + yP I

4. Apply Initial Conditions if they are given to get the specific solution

1.6 Method of Undetermined Coefficients


1. Assume that yP I = f (t) has the general form of g(t) (see table on the next slide)

2. Compare the assumed yP I with yCF . If any terms in yCF have the same general
form as any terms in the assumed function yP I = f (t), then multiply the assumed
function f (t), repeatedly by t until no more duplications exist. This then becomes
the new assumed yP I

3. Substitute the assumed yP I into the ODE and solve for the undetermined coefficients

4. Form the complete general solution y = yCF + yP I

5. Substitute any given initial conditions to find the specific solution of the ODE

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 5


g(t) Assumed yP I = f (t) =
c (constant) A
cekt  Aekt
atn 

atn + btn−1




atn + btn−1 + ctn−2


.. .. .. Atn + Btn−1 + · · · + M t + N
. . . 

n n−1 n−2
+ dtn−3 + · · · + mt + p

at + bt + ct 


n h

at + any combination of terms qt ; h < n

a cos kt 
a sin kt A cos kt + B sin kt
a cos kt + b sin kt 

a cosh kt 
a sinh kt A cosh kt + B sinh kt
a cosh kt + b sinh kt

at3 ekt (At3 + Bt2 + Ct + D)ekt
aekt sin pt ekt (A cos pt + B sin pt)
a cos kt + b sin pt A cos kt + B sin kt + C cos pt + D sin pt

Examples

1. Solve 2y ′′ − 5y ′ − 3y = 2x2 where y(0) = 0 and y ′ (0) = −1

2m2 − 5m − 3 = 0 ⇒ (2m + 1)(m − 3) = 0 ⇒ m = − 21 or m = 3


1
Therefore yCF = c1 e− 2 x + c2 e3x
The right hand side 2x2 is quadratic and so we assume the general form of the
quadratic, i.e

Assume yP I = Ax2 + Bx + C

Comparing the general forms of terms between yCF and yP I , we notice that the terms
in yCF are exponential forms while the terms in yP I are powers. Therefore there are no
duplication of forms and so the assumed yP I is adequate.

yP I = Ax2 + Bx + C, yP′ I = 2Ax + B, and yP′′ I = 2A.Substituting these functions in


the ODE yields;
2(2A) − 5(2Ax + B) − 3(Ax2 + Bx + C) = 2x2
∴ −3Ax2 + (−10A − 3B)x + (4A − 5B − 3C) = 2x2 + 0x + 0
Comparing coefficients on both sides yields;
− 3a = 2, −10A − 3B = 0 and 4A − 5B − 3C = 0, and solving for A, B and C yields
A = − 32 , B = 20
9
and C = − 124
27
1
∴ yGS = yCF + yP I = c1 e− 2 x + c2 e3x − 23 x2 + 20
9
x − 124
27
34 50
Applying the initial conditions yields c1 = 7
and c2 = − 189 (do as an exercise)
34 − 12 x 50 3x
the specific solution is thus y(x) = 7
e − 189
e − 23 x2 + 20
9
x − 124
27

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 6


2. Solve ẍ + 4ẋ + 4x = 3e−2t
m2 + 4m + 4 = 0 ⇒ (m + 2)2 = 0 ⇒ m = −2 (Real equal (repeated) roots)
ThereforexCF = c1 e−2t + c2 te−2t = (c1 + c2 t)e−2t
The right hand side has the general form Ae−2t , so we assume that xP I = Ae−2t
When comparing with xCF , we notice that xCF also has a term of the general form
Ae−2t and so xP I = Ae−2t will not work. Thus we try;xP I = Ate−2t
However, comparing again shows that xCF contains a term with the general form
Ate−2t , and so this new assumed xP I is also inadequate. Therefore, we multiply
again by t to get a new assumed particular integral, i.e xP I = At2 e−2t
After further comparison, we note that there is no longer a duplication of forms
between xCF and xP I
xP I = At2 e−2t , ẋP I = 2Ate−2t − 2At2 e−2t and ẍP I = 2Ae−2t − 8Ate−2t + 4At2 e−2t
∴ ẍ + 4ẋ + 4x = 3e−2t
⇒ 2Ae−2t − 8Ate−2t + 4At2 e−2t + 4(2Ate−2t − 2At2 e−2t + 4(At2 e−2t ) = 3e−2t
⇒ 2Ae−2t = 3e−2t ⇒ 2A = 3 ⇒ A = 23
∴ y(t) = (c1 + c2 t)e−2t + 32 e−2t

d3 z d2 z
3. Solve + 2 = 3 + 2e2t
dt3 dt
m3 + m2 = 0 ⇒ m2 (m + 1) = 0 =⇒ m = 0 (multiplicity 2) or m = −1
∴ zCF = (c1 + c2 t)e0t + c3 e−t = c1 + c2 t + c3 e−t
The RHS is a combination of two functions, 3, (a constant function) with general
form A and an exponential function 2e2t a function with general form Be2t .
Thus, the assumed Particular Integral is a combination of the two general forms
Therefore, assume zP I = A + Be2t
Comparing zP I with zCF , note that the general form A, in zP I has the same
form as c1 in zCF (both are constants). So in zP I , the duplication occurs only in
the one general form (the constant function), and not the exponential function,
hence only the general constant function (A) is multiplied by t to eliminate the
duplication with c1 .
Thus, let zP I = At + Be2t
However, now At in zP I duplicates with c2 t in zCF , hence the term At must be
multiplied again by t to eliminate the duplication with c2 t.
Thus, let zP I = At2 + Be2t (Now, no duplications exist)
dz 2t d2 z d3 z
= 2At + 2Be , 2
= 2A + 4Be and 3 = 8e2t
2t
dt dt dt
Substituting in the original ODE gives;
d3 z d2 z
+ 2 = 3 + 2e2t ⇒ (8e2t ) + (2A + 4Be2t ) = 3 + 2e2t
dt3 dt
⇒ 2A + 12Be2t = 3 + 2e2t . Comparing coefficients gives:

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 7


3 1
⇒ 2A = 3 and 12B = 2 =⇒ A= and B =
2 6
3 1
∴ z = zCF + zP I = c1 + c2 t + c3 e−t + t2 + e2t
2 6

4. Solve y ′′ − 2y ′ + 3y = 2 sin 3x

2 2±
−8 √
m − 2m + 3 = 0 ⇒ m = ⇒ m=1±j 2
√ 2

x
yCF = e (c1 cos( 2 x) + c2 sin( 2 x) )

Let yP I = A cos(3x) + B sin(3x) (comparing with yCF there are no duplications)


yP′ I = −3A sin(3x) + 3B cos(3x) and yP′′ I = −9A cos(3x) − 9B sin(3x)
y ′′ − 2y ′ + 3y = 2 sin 3x
⇒ −9A cos(3x) − 9B sin(3x) − 2(−3A sin(3x) + 3B cos(3x))+
3(A cos(3x) + B sin(3x)) = 2 sin(3x)
(−6A − 6B) cos(3x) + (6A − 6B) sin(3x) = 0 cos(3x) + 2 sin(3x)
⇒ −6A − 6B = 0 and 6A − 6B = 2 ⇒ A = 16 and B = − 61
√ √
∴ y(x) = ex [c1 cos( 2x) + c2 sin( 2x)] + 16 ( cos(3x) − sin(3x) )

2 Solutions of Systems of ODE’s by the Auxiliary


Equation/Undetermined Coefficients method
2.1 D-Operator notation.
The D-Operator is defined as follows;
d d2 d3
Dt = , Dt2 = 2, Dt3 = 3,···
dt dt dt
Where the independent variable is understood, the D-Operator may be expressed without
the subscript i.e
Dt = D, Dt2 = D2 , Dt3 = D3 · · ·
An advantage of using D-Operators when expressing derivatives is that an expression
involving D-Oprators can be manipulated using laws of algebra.
For example, if x = 2e−3t + 2 then

(D2 − 2D + 3)x = D2 x − 2Dx + 3x (distributive law)


= D2 (2e−3t + 2) − 2D(2e−3t + 2) + 3(2e−3t + 2)
= [18e−3t ] − 2[−6e−3t ] + 3[2e−3t + 2]
= 36e−3t + 6

Another example;

d2 y dy
2 2
+ 3 − 2y = 2D2 y + 3Dy − 2y = (2D2 + 3D − 2)y = (2D − 1)(D + 2)y
dt dt

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 8


2.2 Method of solution of Systems of ODE’s
To solve the system
m m−1
a1 ddtmx + a2 ddtm−1x + · · · + am dx
dt + am+1 x = g(t),
n n−1
b1 ddtny + b2 ddtn−1y + · · · + bn dy
dt + bn+1 y = h(t),

1. Express the system in D-Operator notation

2. Eliminate one of x or y. Use either Cramer’s rule or Elimination and Substitution


techniques. This produces a single ODE in either x or y.

3. Solve the ODE using the Auxiliary Equation/Undetermined Coefficients method.


This gives a general solution for one of x or y

4. Find the general solution for the remaining function by either:

(a) Returning to step 2 above to solve for the remaining unknown function, or
(b) Substituting the function solved for in step 3 above, into one of ODE’s in the
system

5. Substitute the two general solutions for x and y into one of the original differential
equations to find the relationship between the arbitrary constants in the two general
solutions. Then state the general solutions in terms of two arbitrary constants only.

6. Apply any given initial conditions to find the specific solutions for x and y.

Example
Solve

ẋ + ẏ + x + 3y = e−t
ẋ + 2x + 5y = 3e−2t
given x(0) = 0, y(0) = 1

Step 1: Express the system in D-Operator notation


Dx + Dy + x + 3y = e−t · · · (i)
Dx + 2x + 5y = 3e−2t · · · (ii)

(D + 1)x + (D + 3)y = e−t · · · (i)


(D + 2)x + 5y = 3e−2t · · · (ii)

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 9


Step 2: Eliminate one of x or y
e−t D+3
Note that the denominator
3e−2t 5 contains D-operators only.
x=
D+1 D+3 Therefore 5 must be seen as
5D0
D+2 5

5e−t − (D + 3){3e−2t }
=
5(D + 1) − (D + 2)(D + 3)

5e−t − D{3e−2t } − 3{3e−2t }


=
5D + 5 − (D2 + 5D + 6)

5e−t + 6e−2t − 9e−2t


=
−D2 − 1

−5e−t − 3e−2t
=
D2 + 1

d2 x
 
2 −t −2t −t −2t
∴ (D + 1)x = −5e − 3e or, 2 + x = −5e − 3e
dt

Step 3: Solve the ODE using the Auxiliary Equation/Undetermined


Coefficients method

m2 + 1 = 0 ⇒ m = ±j

⇒ xC = e0t [c1 cos t + c2 sin t] = c1 cos t + c2 sin t

Let xP = Ae−t + Be−2t , x′P = −Ae−t − 2Be−2t , x′′P = Ae−t + 4Be−2t

(D2 + 1)x = −5e−t − 3e−2t

⇒ Ae−t + 4Be−2t + Ae−t + Be−2t = −5e−t − 3e−2t

⇒ 2Ae−t + 5Be−2t = −5e−t − 3e−2t

⇒ 2A = −5 ⇒ A = − 25 , and 5B = −3 ⇒ B = − 35

∴ x = c1 cos t + c2 sin t − 52 e−t − 35 e−2t

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 10


Step 4: Find the general solution for the remainig function by
returning to step 2 above

D+1 e−t
D+2 3e−2t
y=
D+1 D+3
D+2 5

(D + 1){3e−2t } − (D + 2){e−t }
=
5(D + 1) − (D + 2)(D + 3)

D{3e−2t } + {3e−2t } − D{e−t } − 2{e−t }


=
5D + 5 − (D2 + 5D + 6)

−6e−2t + 3e−2t + e−t − 2e−t


=
−D2 − 1

e−t + 3e−2t
=
D2 + 1

d2 x
 
2 −t −2t −t −2t
∴ (D + 1)x = e + 3e or, 2 + x = e + 3e
dt

m2 + 1 = 0 ⇒ m = ±j

⇒ yC = e0t [c3 cos t + c4 sin t] = c3 cos t + c4 sin t

Note: We must allow for arbitrary constants in xC to be different to arbitrary


constants in yC

Let yP = Ae−t + Be−2t , yP′ = −Ae−t − 2Be−2t , yP′′ = Ae−t + 4Be−2t

(D2 + 1)y = e−t + 3−2t

⇒ Ae−t + 4Be−2t + Ae−t + Be−2t = e−t + 3e−2t

⇒ 2Ae−t + 5Be−2t = e−t + 3e−2t

⇒ 2A = 1 ⇒ A = 21 , and 5B = 3 ⇒ B= 3
5

∴ y = c3 cos t + c4 sin t + 12 e−t + 35 e−2t

Step 5: Substitute the two general solutions for x and y into one of the original
differential equations to find the relationship between the arbitrary constants
in the two general solutions. Then state the general solutions in terms of
two arbitrary constants only.

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 11


ẋ + 2x + 5y = 3e−2t

⇒ −c1 sin t + c2 cos t + 52 e−t + 65 e−2t + 2(c1 cos t + c2 sin t − 25 e−t − 35 e−2t )
+ 5(c3 cos t + c4 sin t + 12 e−t + 53 e−2t ) = 3e−2t

(2c1 + c2 + 5c3 ) cos t + (−c1 + 2c2 + 5c4 ) sin t = 0


(2c1 + c2 + 5c3 ) cos t + (−c1 + 2c2 + 5c4 ) sin t = 0 cos t + 0 sin t
⇒ 2c1 + c2 + 5c3 = 0 ⇒ c3 = − 51 (2c1 + c2 ), and
− c1 + 2c2 + 5c4 = 0 ⇒ c4 = 51 (c1 − 2c2 )

x = c1 cos t + c2 sin t − 25 e−t − 53 e−2t and



y = − 15 (2c1 + c2 ) cos t + 15 (c1 − 2c2 ) sin t + 21 e−t + 53 e−2t

Step 6: Apply any given initial conditions to find the specific solutions for
x and y.

x(0) = 0; ⇒ 0 = c1 cos 0 + c2 sin 0 − 52 e0 − 53 e0 ⇒ c1 = − 31


10

y(0) = 1; ⇒ 1 = − 15 (2c1 + c2 ) cos(0) + 51 (c1 − 2c2 ) sin(0) + 21 e0 + 35 e0

⇒ − 15 (2c1 + c2 ) = − 10
1
⇒ c2 = 67
10

∴ substituting these values in the general solution gives the specific solution;
x = − 31
10
cos t + 67
10
sin t − 52 e−t − 53 e−2t and
1
y = − 10 cos t − 33
10
sin t + 12 e−t + 53 e−2t

Note:
Steps 4 and 5 can be achieved much more economically if one or both of the original
differential equations can be manipulated so that one of x or y can be expressed in terms
of the other function and other functions of t only.
For example, the second differential equation ẋ + ẏ + x + 3y = e−t can be re-written as
y = − 51 ẋ − 25 x + 35 e−2t .
This suggests that if x is solved for first, then y can be attained simply by substituting
the general solution for x into this differential equation as follows.

© 2019 Durban University of Technology: D Day Page 12


Step 4 and Step 5: Alternate method
From Step 3, x = c1 cos t + c2 sin t − 52 e−t − 35 e−2t
Substituting this function into the second differential equation gives;

y = − 15 ẋ − 25 x + 35 e−2t
= − 51 (−c1 sin t + c2 cos t + 52 e−t + 65 e−2t ) − 25 (c1 cos t + c2 sin t − 25 e−t − 53 e−2t ) + 35 e−2t

= − 51 (2c1 + c2 ) cos t + 51 (c1 − 2c2 ) sin t + 21 e−t + 35 e−2t

This method saves a lot of time and effort if it can be implemented. Before attempting
to solve the system, the differential equations should be studied to see if it possible to
express one function solely in terms of the other function. If so, the other function should
be solved for first.

Exercise
Solve the system

d2 x dy
+ + x − 3y = e3t
dt2 dt
dx
+ 2y = 2e2t
dt
Answer:
x = c1 e−2t + c2 e−t + 16 e2t + 1 3t
10
e and y = c1 e−2t + 21 c2 e−t + 65 e2t − 3 3t
20
e

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