-242.17.8 Solve y''-10y'+25y&=2e^{5x} by variation of parameters.

In summary, the given equation is solved using the variation of parameters method. The particular solution is determined by solving a system of equations and integrating. The homogeneous solution is also found and the final solution is obtained by adding the particular and homogeneous solutions. The expert responder also shares a tip on how to efficiently use LaTeX for posting equations.
  • #1
karush
Gold Member
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$\tiny{242.17.8}$
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$\textrm{Solve the given equation by variation of parameters.}$
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
y''-10y'+25y&=2e^{5x}\\
\end{align*}
$\textrm{the homogeneous equation:}$
\begin{align*}\displaystyle
x^2-10x+25&=0\\
(x-5)^2&=0\\
x&=5\\
y_h&=c_1 e^{5x}+c_2x^{5x}
\end{align*}
$\textit{now what}$
 
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  • #2
Your fundamental solution set for the corresponding homogeneous equation is:

\(\displaystyle \left\{e^{5x},xe^{5x}\right\}\)

So now we take as our particular solution:

\(\displaystyle y_p(x)=v_1(x)e^{5x}+v_2(x)xe^{5x}\)

We may determine $v_1(x)$ and $v_2(x)$ by solving the system:

\(\displaystyle e^{5x}v_1'+xe^{5x}v_2'=0\)

\(\displaystyle \left(e^{5x}\right)'v_1'+\left(xe^{5x}\right)'v_2'=2e^{5x}\)

for $v_1'(x)$ and $v_2'(x)$ and integrating. :D
 
  • #3
Let's first solve this ODE using the method of undetermined coefficients. We know the homogeneous solution is:

\(\displaystyle y_h(x)=c_1e^{5x}+c_2xe^{5x}\)

And so upon inspection of the RHS, we see that the particular solution will take the form:

\(\displaystyle y_p(x)=Ax^2e^{5x}\)

Differentiating, we obtain:

\(\displaystyle y_p'(x)=Ax(5x+2)e^{5x}\)

\(\displaystyle y_p''(x)=A\left(25x^2+20x+2\right)e^{5x}\)

Substituting into the ODE, we have:

\(\displaystyle \left(A\left(25x^2+20x+2\right)e^{5x}\right)-10\left(Ax(5x+2)e^{5x}\right)+25\left(Ax^2e^{5x}\right)=2e^{5x}\)

Distributing, and combining like terms, we get:

\(\displaystyle 2Ae^{5x}=2e^{5x}\)

From this, we conclude $A=1$ and so:

\(\displaystyle y_p(x)=x^2e^{5x}\)

And so the solution is:

\(\displaystyle y(x)=y_h(x)+y_p(x)=c_1e^{5x}+c_2xe^{5x}+x^2e^{5x}\)

Okay, now back to variation of parameters. We need to solve the system:

\(\displaystyle e^{5x}v_1'+xe^{5x}v_2'=0\)

\(\displaystyle 5e^{5x}v_1'+(5x+1)e^{5x}v_2'=2e^{5x}\)

First, let's divide through both equations by $e^{5x}\ne0$ to obtain:

\(\displaystyle v_1'+xv_2'=0\)

\(\displaystyle 5v_1'+(5x+1)v_2'=2\)

Let's multiply the first equation by -5 and then add:

\(\displaystyle v_2'=2\implies v_1'=-2x\)

And so integrating (we need only 1 particular solution, so for simplicity, we take both constants of integration to be zero for simplicity...can you explain why not doing so would in fact not yield anything useful to our particular solution?), we obtain:

\(\displaystyle v_1=-x^2,\,v^2=2x\)

And so, our particular solution is:

\(\displaystyle y_p(x)=\left(-x^2\right)e^{5x}+\left(2x\right)xe^{5x}=x^2e^{5x}\)

This checks with what we found using the method of undetermined coefficients, and so we likewise conclude:

\(\displaystyle y(x)=y_h(x)+y_p(x)=c_1e^{5x}+c_2xe^{5x}+x^2e^{5x}\)
 
  • #4
just want to thank you again for clearing up the fog.

btw

how do you manage to crank out the mountains of LaTEX you do to help everbody?

or do you have huge cut and paste library?
 
  • #5
karush said:
btw

how do you manage to crank out the mountains of LaTEX you do to help everbody?

or do you have huge cut and paste library?

After almost 7 years of helping with math online, I think in $\LaTeX$ now. (Nerd)

It really takes little time...and when I am posting a series of equations, I typically just copy the last line and then modify it. :D
 

FAQ: -242.17.8 Solve y''-10y'+25y&=2e^{5x} by variation of parameters.

What is variation of parameters?

Variation of parameters is a method used to solve second order linear differential equations with non-constant coefficients. It involves finding a particular solution by assuming it is of the form y = u1y1 + u2y2, where y1 and y2 are known solutions to the associated homogeneous equation and u1 and u2 are unknown functions to be determined.

Why is variation of parameters used?

Variation of parameters is used because it allows us to find a particular solution to a non-homogeneous differential equation without having to solve the entire equation. It is also a general method that can be applied to a wide range of second order linear differential equations.

What are the steps for using variation of parameters?

The steps for using variation of parameters are:

  1. Find the general solution to the associated homogeneous equation.
  2. Assume a particular solution of the form y = u1y1 + u2y2.
  3. Substitute this into the original non-homogeneous equation and solve for u1' and u2'.
  4. Integrate to find u1 and u2.
  5. Substitute the values of u1 and u2 into the particular solution y = u1y1 + u2y2.

Can variation of parameters be used for higher order differential equations?

No, variation of parameters is only applicable to second order linear differential equations. For higher order equations, other methods such as the method of undetermined coefficients or using a series solution may be used.

Is variation of parameters always successful in finding a solution?

No, variation of parameters may not always be successful in finding a solution. It relies on the assumption that the particular solution has the form y = u1y1 + u2y2, which may not always hold true. In these cases, other methods may need to be used to find a solution.

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