Paul's question at Yahoo Answers regarding a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE

In summary, a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE is an equation that relates a function and its derivatives up to the 3rd order, with all terms being linearly dependent and equaling zero. The general form of such an equation is a(x)y''' + b(x)y'' + c(x)y' + d(x)y = 0, where the coefficients are functions of the independent variable x. To solve a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE, methods such as the method of undetermined coefficients or variation of parameters can be used. Understanding these equations is important in various fields and has real-world applications in areas such as physics, engineering, and mathematical modeling.
  • #1
MarkFL
Gold Member
MHB
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Here is the question:

Differential equations factoring?

Find the general solution to the following

y'''-8y=0

I have posted a link there to this topic so the OP can see my work.
 
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  • #2
Hello Paul,

We are given to solve:

\(\displaystyle y'''-8y=0\)

The associated characteristic equation is:

\(\displaystyle r^3-8=(r-2)(r^2+2r+4)=0\)

Hence, the roots are:

\(\displaystyle r=2,\,-1\pm i\sqrt{3}\)

and so the solution is:

\(\displaystyle y(x)=c_1e^{2x}+e^{-x}(c_2\cos(\sqrt{3}x)+c_3\sin(\sqrt{3}x))\)
 

FAQ: Paul's question at Yahoo Answers regarding a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE

What is a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE?

A 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE (ordinary differential equation) is an equation that involves a function and its derivatives up to the 3rd order, where the function and its derivatives are all linearly related and the equation is equal to zero. Homogeneous means that the equation does not contain any independent variables.

What is the general form of a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE?

The general form of a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE is:
a(x)y''' + b(x)y'' + c(x)y' + d(x)y = 0
Where a(x), b(x), c(x), and d(x) are functions of the independent variable x, and y''' refers to the 3rd derivative of the function y with respect to x.

How do you solve a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE?

To solve a 3rd order linear homogeneous ODE, you can use methods such as the method of undetermined coefficients or the method of variation of parameters. These methods involve finding a particular solution and a complementary solution, and then combining them to get the general solution.

What is the importance of understanding 3rd order linear homogeneous ODEs?

Understanding 3rd order linear homogeneous ODEs is important in many fields of science and engineering, as many physical phenomena can be described by such equations. These equations are also used in numerical analysis and mathematical modeling.

Are there any real-world applications of 3rd order linear homogeneous ODEs?

Yes, there are many real-world applications of 3rd order linear homogeneous ODEs. Some examples include describing the motion of a damped harmonic oscillator, modeling the spread of diseases in a population, and predicting the behavior of electric circuits.

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