# Math Help - Non-homogeneous 2nd order DE with constant coefficients.

1. ## Non-homogeneous 2nd order DE with constant coefficients.

$d^2y/dx^2-7 dy/dx +6y=36x$
given that when y=0 $,dy/dx=4$ and x=0

i would appreciate some help with this ones is all new to me. what do i do with the variables given.

2. It's a nonhomogeneous linear equation. So you'll need to find a particular solution of the nonhomogeneous equation and the general solution of the related homogeneous equation

The homogeneous equation is $\frac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}} - 7 \frac{dy}{dx} + 6y = 0$

The characteristic equation is $r^{2}-7x+6 =0$, which has roots of r=6 and r =1.

So the general solution of the homogeneous equation is $y_{h}(x) = C_{1}e^{6x}+C_{2}e^{x}$

Now we need any particular solution of $\frac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}} - 7 \frac{dy}{dx} + 6y = 36$

$y_{p}(x)=6$ will do

so the general solution on the nonhomongeneous equation is $y(x) = y_{h}(x)+y_{p}(x) = C_{1}e^{6x}+C_{2}e^{x} + 6$

Now we need to find the two coefficients by using the initial conditions.

$y(0)=0=C_{1}+C_{2} + 6$

$\frac{dy}{dx} = 6C_{1}e^{6x}+C_{2}e^{x}$

$\frac{dy}{dx} (0) = 4= 6C_{1}+C_{2}$

Solving the two equations simultaneously, $C_{1}= 2$ and $C_{2}= -8$

so our final solution is $y(x)= 2e^{6x}-8e^{x}+6$

3. thanks alot i was not familar with the solution for the general solution on the nonhomongeneous equation. thanks alot i really appreciate it.