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1.14 Variation of Parameters

The document discusses the method of variation of parameters for solving second order linear differential equations. It introduces a general solution involving functions A(x) and B(x) and derives equations to find these functions based on the Wronskian of linearly independent solutions. Several examples illustrate the application of this method to specific differential equations.

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38 views3 pages

1.14 Variation of Parameters

The document discusses the method of variation of parameters for solving second order linear differential equations. It introduces a general solution involving functions A(x) and B(x) and derives equations to find these functions based on the Wronskian of linearly independent solutions. Several examples illustrate the application of this method to specific differential equations.

Uploaded by

khushpatel1222
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

14 Variation of Parameters
Consider the second order linear differential equation
y + p( x) y + q( x) y = R( x). − − − − − −(1)
Suppose that yc = c1 y1 + c2 y2 is a solution, where y1 and y2 are linearly independent on an
interval a  x  b. Let us see what happens if we replace both of the constants c1 and c2 with
functions of x.
We consider y = Ay1 + By2 − − − − − − − −(2) and try to determine A( x) and B( x) so that

Ay1 + By2 is a solution of the equation (1).

Then y = Ay1 + By2 + Ay1 + By2 . − − − − − −(3)

Rather than involved with the derivatives of A( x) and B( x) of higher order than the first, we

now choose some particular function for the expression Ay1 + By2 .

For simplicity we choose Ay1 + By2 = 0. − − − − − − − (4)

It then follows from (3) that y = Ay1 + By2 + Ay1 + By2. − − − − − −(5)

Since y was to be a solution of (1) we substitute from (2), (3), and (5) into equation (1) to obtain

A( y1 + py1 + qy1 ) + B( y2 + py2 + qy2 ) + Ay1 + By2 = R( x).


But y1 and y2 are solutions of the homogeneous equation, so that finally

Ay1 + By2 = R( x). − − − − − −(6)


Equations (4) and (6) now give us two equations that we wish to solve for A( x) and B( x).

y1 y2
This solution exists providing the determinant W ( x) = does not vanish. But this
y1 y2
determinant is precisely the Wronskian of the functions y1 and y2 , which are presumed to be

linearly independent on the interval a  x  b. Therefore, the Wronskian does not vanish on that
interval and we can find A and B. By integration we get
y2 R ( x ) y1R ( x )
A( x ) = −  dx and B ( x ) =  dx
W ( x) W ( x)

Solve the equation ( D + 1) y = sec x tan x.


2
Example 1.14.1

38
Immediately we find that yc = c1 cos x + c2 sin x.

Let us seek a particular solution by variation of parameters. Put y p = A cos x + B sin x.

Then
y1 y2 cos x sin x
W ( x) = = = 1.
y1 y2 − sin x cos x

y2 R ( x ) sin x sec x tan x


A( x) = −  dx = −  dx = −  tan 2 xdx = x − tan x.
W ( x) 1
(Constant of integration has been disregarded because we are seeking only a particular solution.)
And
y1R ( x) cos x sec x tan x
B( x) =  dx =  dx =  tan xdx = ln | sec x | .
W ( x) 1
Therefore, the complete solution is
y ( x) = c1 cos x + c2 sin x + cos x( x − tan x) + sin x ln | sec x |
= c1 cos x + c3 sin x + x cos x + sin x ln | sec x |,
where the term (− sin x) in y p has been absorbed in the complementary function term c3 sin x ,

since c3 is an arbitrary constant.

1
Solve ( D − 3D + 2) y =
2
Example 1.14.2 .
1 + e− x
y = Ae + Be .
Here yc = c1e + c2e , so we put p
x 2x x 2x

Then
y1 y2 ex e2 x
W ( x) = = x = e3 x .
y1 y2 e
2x
2e

y2 R( x) e2 x e− x
A( x) = − dx = − dx = −  −x
dx = ln(1 + e− x ).
W ( x) -x
(1+e )e 3x
1+ e
And

39
y1R( x) e −2 x  −x e− x 
B( x) =  dx =  −x
dx =  e − −x 
dx = −e − x + ln(1 + e − x ).
W ( x) (1 + e )  1+ e 

Therefore, the complete solution is y( x) = c3e + c2e


x 2x
+ (e x + e2 x )ln(1 + e− x ).
Exercises 1.14.3

Solve using variation of parameters:

1. ( D + 1) y = csc x cot x.
2

2. ( D + 1) y = sec x.
2 4

3. ( D + 1) y = tan x.
2 2

4. ( D + 1) y = sec x csc x.
2 2

−2
5. ( D − 2D + 1) y = e (e + 1) .
2 2x x

−x
6. ( D − 3D + 2) y = cos(e ).
2

−2 x −1/ 2
7. ( D − 1) y = 2(1 − e
2
) .
8. ( D2 − 1) y = e−2 x sin e− x .

40

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