Initial conditions are crucial because they allow us to find a specific solution from a general one. In other words, they help us pin down one unique function fitting the context.
We have an initial condition given as \(f(2)=3\). This tells us that the function \(f\) takes the value 3 when \(x\) equals 2. Given the general solution:
\[f(x) = \frac{3}{2}x^2 - \frac{1}{\pi}\cos(\pi x) + C\]
we use \(x = 2\) to find \(C\):
- Substitute \(x=2\) in the equation.
- \(3 = \frac{3}{2}(2)^2 - \frac{1}{\pi}\cos(2\pi) + C\)
Since \(\cos(2\pi) = 1\), it simplifies further, enabling us to solve for \(C\):
\[C = \frac{1}{\pi} - 3\]
By solving this, we ascertain the specific constant needed to satisfy the initial condition, thus narrowing down the infinite general solutions to our required particular solution.