# Need a general solution checked

• Feb 5th 2011, 07:51 PM
Glitch
Need a general solution checked
The question:
Write down the form of the particular solution you should try when solving the non-homogeneous differential equation
$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} - 8\frac{dy}{dx} + 16y = 2e^{4x}$

$y_p = Cx^2e^{4x}$

Does this look correct? Thanks.
• Feb 5th 2011, 07:55 PM
dwsmith
Quote:

Originally Posted by Glitch
The question:
Write down the form of the particular solution you should try when solving the non-homogeneous differential equation
$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} - 8\frac{dy}{dx} + 16y = 2e^{4x}$

$y_p = Cx^2e^{4x}$

Does this look correct? Thanks.

$y''-8y'+16y=0$

$(m-4)^2=0$

$y_p=C_1e^{4x}+C_2xe^{4x}$
• Feb 5th 2011, 08:09 PM
Prove It
Quote:

Originally Posted by dwsmith
$y''-8y'+16y=0$

$(m-4)^2=0$

$y_p=C_1e^{4x}+C_2xe^{4x}$

What you've written is the Characteristic Solution, not the Particular Solution.

Since your RHS of the DE is of the family $\displaystyle e^{4x}$, you would normally choose $\displaystyle Ce^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

But since $\displaystyle e^{4x}$ appears in your Characteristic Solution, you would then normally choose $\displaystyle Cx\,e^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

But since $\displaystyle x\,e^{4x}$ appears in your Characteristic Solution, you would then normally choose $\displaystyle Cx^2e^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

So I agree with the OP's choice of $\displaystyle y_p = Cx^2e^{4x}$.
• Feb 5th 2011, 08:11 PM
dwsmith
Quote:

Originally Posted by Prove It
What you've written is the Characteristic Solution, not the Particular Solution.

Since your RHS of the DE is of the family $\displaystyle e^{4x}$, you would normally choose $\displaystyle Ce^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

But since $\displaystyle e^{4x}$ appears in your Characteristic Solution, you would then normally choose $\displaystyle Cx\,e^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

But since $\displaystyle x\,e^{4x}$ appears in your Characteristic Solution, you would then normally choose $\displaystyle Cx^2e^{4x}$ as a particular solution.

So I agree with the OP's choice of $\displaystyle y_p = Cx^2e^{4x}$.