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?
Lv 5
? asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 8 years ago

Use the method of reduction of order to find a solution of the given nonhomogeneous equation.?

The indicated y1(x) is a solution of the associated HOMOGENEOUS equation. Determine a second solution of the homogeneous equation and a particular soution of the nonhomogeneous equation.

(meaning I need a solution y=c1y1 + c2y2 + yp)

y'' - 4y' +3y = x ; y1(x) = e^x

So far, I found the second solution of the homogeneous equation to be 1/2e^(3x), however I have no idea where to go from here.

My book says if the g(x) is in the form of a linear function of x, then yp is in the form Ax+B, but I have no idea how to find it... Can anyone help?

2 Answers

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  • kb
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    For reduction of order, we assume that y = e^x * v.

    Differentiating:

    y' = e^x (v' + v)

    y'' = e^x (v'' + 2v' + v).

    Substituting this into the original DE:

    e^x (v'' + 2v' + v) - 4e^x (v' + v) + 3e^x * v = x

    ==> v'' - 2v' = xe^(-x), a first order linear DE in y'

    Multiply both sides by the integrating factor e^(-2x):

    (d/dx)(e^(-2x) v') = xe^(-3x)

    Integrate both sides:

    e^(-2x) v' = xe^(-3x)/(-3) - e^(-3x)/9 + 2A

    ==> v' = (-1/3) xe^(-x) - (1/9)e^(-x) + 2Ae^(2x)

    Integrate both sides again:

    v = (-1/3)(-xe^(-x) - e^(-x)) + (1/9)e^(-x) + Ae^(2x) + B

    ...= (1/9)(3xe^(-x) + 4e^(-x)) + Ae^(2x) + B.

    Since y = e^x * v, we obtain

    y = (1/9)(3x + 4) + Ae^(3x) + Be^x.

    I hope this helps!

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    Method Of Reduction Of Order

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