Chapter 5: Problem 12
In Exercises \(1-12\) find the general solution. $$ 10 y^{\prime \prime}-3 y^{\prime}-y=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
A. \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{1}{2}\)
B. \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(-\frac{1}{2}\)
C. \(-\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{1}{2}\)
D. \(-\frac{1}{4}\) and \(-\frac{1}{2}\)
Step by step solution
01
Write down the given differential equation
The given differential equation is:
$$
10y^{\prime \prime} - 3y^{\prime} - y = 0
$$
02
Form the characteristic equation
We rewrite the differential equation in terms of its characteristic equation by replacing \(y^{\prime \prime}\) with \(r^2\), \(y^{\prime}\) with \(r\), and \(y\) with \(1\), which gives us the following quadratic equation:
$$
10r^2 - 3r - 1 = 0
$$
03
Find the roots of the characteristic equation
We will solve the quadratic equation by using either factoring, the quadratic formula, or completing the square. In this case, the quadratic formula is the most convenient method:
$$
r = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
$$
Plugging in the coefficients \(a = 10\), \(b = -3\), and \(c = -1\), we get:
$$
r = \frac{3 \pm \sqrt{(-3)^2 - 4(10)(-1)}}{2(10)}
$$
Simplifying the expression, we find the roots of the characteristic equation:
$$
r = \frac{3 \pm \sqrt{49}}{20} = \frac{1}{4} , -\frac{1}{2}
$$
04
Write down the general solution
Since we have two distinct real roots, the general solution of the given differential equation is:
$$
y(t) = c_1 e^{(r_1 t)} + c_2 e^{(r_2 t)}
$$
Substituting the roots \(r_1 = \frac{1}{4}\) and \(r_2 = -\frac{1}{2}\), we get the final general solution:
$$
y(t) = c_1 e^{\frac{1}{4}t} + c_2 e^{-\frac{1}{2}t}
$$
Therefore, the general solution for the given differential equation is \(y(t) = c_1 e^{\frac{1}{4}t} + c_2 e^{-\frac{1}{2}t}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Characteristic Equation
Understanding the characteristic equation is pivotal when solving linear homogeneous differential equations with constant coefficients. This approach transforms the differential equation into a simpler algebraic equation, which represents a major strategic advantage. For our example, the original second-order differential equation was
defined as \(10y^{\text{\texttwosuperior}} - 3y^\text{\textprime} - y = 0\).
To formulate the characteristic equation, we made a smart substitution - replacing the derivative terms with powers of a variable \(r\), leading to the standard quadratic form \(10r^2 - 3r - 1 = 0\). This step sets the stage for us to apply algebraic techniques and eventually reach the heart of the solution for the differential equation. It's worth emphasizing that the characteristic equation captures the essential behavior of the solution, where its roots directly influence the form of the general solution.
defined as \(10y^{\text{\texttwosuperior}} - 3y^\text{\textprime} - y = 0\).
To formulate the characteristic equation, we made a smart substitution - replacing the derivative terms with powers of a variable \(r\), leading to the standard quadratic form \(10r^2 - 3r - 1 = 0\). This step sets the stage for us to apply algebraic techniques and eventually reach the heart of the solution for the differential equation. It's worth emphasizing that the characteristic equation captures the essential behavior of the solution, where its roots directly influence the form of the general solution.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is an essential tool used to find the roots of a characteristic equation that takes the form of a quadratic.
Whenever you encounter a quadratic equation in the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), the solution to this equation is given by \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\). Applying this formula to the characteristic equation we derived earlier allows us to sidestep more complex methods, such as factoring or completing the square, which might be less straightforward or even cumbersome for some equations.
In our exercise, by substituting the coefficients \(a = 10\), \(b = -3\), and \(c = -1\) into the quadratic formula, we find two distinct real roots. These roots are the cornerstone for constructing the general solution of the differential equation, which in this case are \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(-\frac{1}{2}\). The quadratic formula proves its efficiency and universality by elegantly leading us to these exact values.
Whenever you encounter a quadratic equation in the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), the solution to this equation is given by \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\). Applying this formula to the characteristic equation we derived earlier allows us to sidestep more complex methods, such as factoring or completing the square, which might be less straightforward or even cumbersome for some equations.
In our exercise, by substituting the coefficients \(a = 10\), \(b = -3\), and \(c = -1\) into the quadratic formula, we find two distinct real roots. These roots are the cornerstone for constructing the general solution of the differential equation, which in this case are \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(-\frac{1}{2}\). The quadratic formula proves its efficiency and universality by elegantly leading us to these exact values.
Differential Equations
Differential equations are powerful mathematical tools that describe relationships involving rates of change. They are pivotal in various fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and biology. The equation given in our exercise is a linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients.
The aim of solving such an equation is to find the function \(y(t)\) whose derivatives fulfill the relationship defined by the differential equation. Once the roots of the characteristic equation are known, we can craft the general solution composed of terms containing exponential functions raised to the power of the product of the root and the variable, which in this example are \(e^{\frac{1}{4}t}\) and \(e^{-\frac{1}{2}t}\). The constants \(c_1\) and \(c_2\) in the general solution are determined by initial conditions or boundary conditions if they exist. Importantly, this general solution applies to any linear differential equation with constant coefficients, making it a seminal process in the study of such equations.
The aim of solving such an equation is to find the function \(y(t)\) whose derivatives fulfill the relationship defined by the differential equation. Once the roots of the characteristic equation are known, we can craft the general solution composed of terms containing exponential functions raised to the power of the product of the root and the variable, which in this example are \(e^{\frac{1}{4}t}\) and \(e^{-\frac{1}{2}t}\). The constants \(c_1\) and \(c_2\) in the general solution are determined by initial conditions or boundary conditions if they exist. Importantly, this general solution applies to any linear differential equation with constant coefficients, making it a seminal process in the study of such equations.