# write the general solution to the differential equation

• Mar 26th 2011, 10:46 PM
slapmaxwell1
write the general solution to the differential equation
D^2(D^2+16)y=0

ok so this is y=xC1 + C2sin 4x + C3cos 4x

is this right?
• Mar 26th 2011, 10:53 PM
Prove It
I assume this is supposed to mean

$\displaystyle \frac{d^4y}{dx^2} + 16\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 0$.

If you make the substitution $\displaystyle Y = \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$, then this DE becomes

$\displaystyle \frac{d^2Y}{dx^2} + 16Y = 0$,

a second order linear constant coefficient homogeneous ordinary differential equation.

I'm sure you can solve for $\displaystyle Y = \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}$, and use this to solve for $\displaystyle y$.
• Mar 26th 2011, 11:06 PM
slapmaxwell1
here is a problem i did earlier and got the answer right maybe this example can show what im trying to do...

http://latex.codecogs.com/gif.latex?...x}+C_{3}e^{6x}
• Mar 26th 2011, 11:07 PM
slapmaxwell1
• Mar 27th 2011, 04:39 AM
HallsofIvy
Quote:

Originally Posted by slapmaxwell1

Yes, that is correct. The characteristic equation can be written D(D+2)(D- 6)= 0 wo D= 0, -2, and 6 are characteristic roots.

For your first problem, that's a fourth order equation and must have 4 indpendent solutions. The characteristic equation was $D^2(D^2+ 16)= 0$ which has D= 0 as a double root and D= 4i and D= -4i as the other roots. Because of the double root, you need both $Ae^{0x}= A$ and $Bxe^{0x}= Bx$. The general solution to the equation is $y(x)= A+ Bx+ Ccos(4x)+ Dsin(4x)$.