Homework 4 Solution

In Problems 1-12, use the method of ‘Undetermined Coefficients’ to find the general solutions.

1. y 00 + 3y 0 + 2y = 6.
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + 3m + 2 = (m + 1)(m + 2) = 0 has roots m = −1 and m = −2.
The complementary solution is
yc = C1 e−x + C2 e−2x .
From the constant function g(x) = 6 we assume a constant function yp = A is a particular solution
of the equation. Substituting into the given equation yields

A = 3.

Thus a particular solution is yp = 3, and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 e−x + C2 e−2x + 3.

2. y 00 − 10y 0 + 25y = 150x + 15

Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − 5m + 25 = (m − 5)2 = 0 has a root m = 5 with multiplicity
2. The complementary solution is
yc = C1 e5x + C2 xe5x .
From the linear function g(x) = 150x + 15 we assume a linear function yp = Ax + B is a particular
solution of the equation. Substituting into the given equation yields

A = 6, B = 3.

Thus a particular solution is yp = 6x + 3, and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 e5x + C2 e5x + 6x + 3.

3. 41 y 00 + y 0 + y = x2 − 2x Sol. The equation is equivalent to y 00 + 4y 0 + 4y = 4x2 − 8x. The

characteristic equation m2 + 4m + 4 = (m + 2)2 = 0 has a root m = −2 with multiplicity 2. The
complementary solution is
yc = C1 e−2x + C2 xe−2x .
From the quadratic function g(x) = 4x2 − 8x we assume a quadratic function yp = Ax2 + Bx + C
is a particular solution of the equation. Substituting into the given equation yields
7
A = 1, B = −4, C = .
2
Thus a particular solution is yp = x2 − 4x + 72 , and so the general solution is
7
y = yc + yp = C1 e−2x + C2 e−2x + x2 − 4x + .
2
4. y 00 − 3y 0 + 2y = e3x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − 3m + 2 = (m − 1)(m − 2) = 0 has roots m = 1 and m = 2.
The complementary solution is
yc = C1 ex + C2 e2x .

1
From the exponential function g(x) = e3x we assume an exponential function yp = Ae3x is a
particular solution of the equation. Substituting yp0 = 3Ae3x and yp00 = 9Ae9x into the given
equation yields
1
A= .
2
Thus a particular solution is yp = 12 e3x , and so the general solution is
1
y = yc + yp = C1 ex + C2 e2x + e3x .
2
5. y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 10 sin x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − m − 2 = (m + 1)(m − 2) = 0 has roots m = −1 and m = 2.
The complementary solution is
yc = C1 e−x + C2 e2x .
From the trig. function g(x) = 10 sin x we try a trig. function yp = A cos x + B sin x for a particular
solution of the equation. Substituting

yp0 = B cos x − A sin x

yp00 = −A cos x − B sin x

into the given equation yields

−3A − B = 0, A − 3B = 10.

So we have A = 1 and B = −3. Thus a particular solution is yp = cos x − 3 sin x, and so the general
solution is
y = yc + yp = C1 e−x + C2 e2x + cos x − 3 sin x.
6. y 00 − 2y 0 − 3y = 6xe2x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − 2m − 3 = (m + 1)(m − 3) = 0 has roots m = −1 and m = 3.
The complementary solution is
yc = C1 e−x + C2 e3x .
From the function g(x) = 6xe2x we try yp = (Ax + B)e2x for a particular solution of the equation.
Substituting

yp0 = e2x (2Ax + 2B + A)

yp00 = e2x (4Ax + 4B + 2A + 2A)

into the given equation yields

A = −2, B = −4/3
Thus a particular solution is yp = (−2x − 4/3)e2x , and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 e−x + C2 e3x + (−2x − 4/3)e2x .

7. y 00 + 3y = −48x2 e3x √
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + 3 = 0 has complex roots m = ± 3i. The complementary
solution is √ √
yc = C1 cos 3x + C2 sin 3x.

2
From the function g(x) = −48x2 e3x we try yp = (Ax2 + Bx + C)e3x for a particular solution of the
equation. Substituting

yp0 = e3x [3(Ax2 + Bx + C) + 2Ax + B] = e3x [3Ax2 + (2A + 3B)x + B + 3C]

yp00 = e3x [3{3Ax2 + (2A + 3B)x + (B + 3C)} + 6Ax + 2A + 3B] = e3x [9Ax2 + (12A + 9B)x + 2A + 6B + 9C]

into the given equation yields

yp00 + 3yp = e3x [12Ax2 + (12A + 12B)x + 2A + 6B + 12]

= e3x [−48x2 + 0x + 0].

So we have
4
A = −4, B=4 C=− .
3
Thus a particular solution is yp = (−4x2 + 4x − 43 )e3x , and so the general solution is
√ √ 4
y = yc + yp = C1 cos 3x + C2 sin 3x + (−4x2 + 4x − )e3x .
3
8. y 00 − y 0 = −3
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − m = 0 has two roots m = 0 and m = 1. The complementary
solution is
yc = C1 + C2 ex .
Note that yc already contains constant functions y = A. (One can check y = A can not be a
particular solution of the equation) Instead we modify our assumption and try yp = Ax for a
particular solution of the equation. Substituting yp0 = A and yp00 = 0 into the given equation yields

A = 3.

Thus a particular solution is yp = 3x, and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 + C2 ex + 3x.

9. y 00 + 2y 0 − 3y = ex
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + 2m − 3 = (m − 1)(m + 3) = 0 has two roots m = 1 and
m = −3. The complementary solution is

yc = C1 ex + C2 e−3x .

Note that yc already contains functions y = Aex . Instead we modify our assumption and try
yp = Axex for a particular solution of the equation. Substituting

yp0 = ex (Ax + A)
yp00 = ex (Ax + A + A)

into the given equation yields

yp00 + 2yp0 − 3yp = ex {(A + 2A − 3A)x + 2A + 2A}

= ex { 0x + +1}.

3
So we have
1
A= .
4
1 x
Thus a particular solution is yp = 4 xe , and so the general solution is
1
y = yc + yp = C1 ex + C2 e−3x + xex .
4
10. y 00 − 4y 0 + 4y 0 = e2x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − 4m + 4 = (m − 2)2 = 0 has a root m = 2 with multiplicity
2. The complementary solution is
yc = C1 e2x + C2 xe2x .
Note that yc already contains functions y = Ae2x as well as y = Axe2x . Instead we modify our
assumption and try yp = Ax2 e2x for a particular solution of the equation. Substituting

yp0 = e2x (2Ax2 + 2Ax)

yp00 = e2x {2(2Ax2 + 2Ax) + 4Ax + 2A} = e2x {4Ax2 + 8Ax + 2A}
into the given equation yields
yp00 − 4yp0 + 4yp = e2x {(4A − 8A + 4A)x2 + (8A − 8A)x + 2A}
= e2x { 0x2 + 0x + 1}.
So we have
1
A= .
2
1 2 x
Thus a particular solution is yp = 2 x e , and so the general solution is
1
y = yc + yp = C1 e2x + C2 xe2x + x2 ex .
2
1
11. y 00 − y 0 + 41 y = 3 + e 2 x
1
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − m + 4 = (m − 12 )2 = 0 has a root m = 1
2 with multiplicity
2. The complementary solution is
1 1
yc = C1 e 2 x + C2 xe 2 x .

In view of Superposition Principle, we seek a particular solution yp = yp1 + yp2 where yp1 and yp2
are particular solutions of
1 1
y 00 − y 0 + y = 3 and y 00 − y 0 + y = ex/2
4 4
respectively. As in Problem #1, one can find yp1 = 12.
1 1
Note that yc already contains functions y = Ae 2 x as well as y = Axe 2 x . Instead we modify our
1
assumption and try yp = Ax2 e 2 x for a particular solution of the equation. Substituting
1 1
yp0 = e 2 x ( Ax2 + 2Ax)
2
00 1 1 1 1 1
yp = e 2 { ( Ax2 + 2Ax) + Ax + 2A} = e 2 x { Ax2 + 2Ax + 2A}
x
2 2 4

4
into the given equation yields
1 1 1 1 1
yp00 − yp0 + yp = e 2 x {( A − A + A)x2 + (2A − 2A)x + 2A}
4 4 2 4
1
x
= e2 { 0x2 + 0x + 1}.
So we have
1
A= .
2
1
Thus a particular solution is yp = 12 x2 e 2 x , and so the general solution is
1 1 1 1
y = yc + yp = C1 e 2 x + C2 xe 2 x + 12 + x2 e 2 x .
2
12. y 00 − 8y 0 + 20y = 100x2 − 2 − 13xex
You can use Superposition Principle as discussed during the class.
(or simply yp = Ax2 + Bx + C + (Dx + E)ex also works.)

In Problems 13-16, use the method of ‘Variation of Parameters’ to find the general solutions

13. .y 00 − y 0 − 2y = 2e−x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 − m − 2 = (m + 1)(m − 2) = 0 has two roots m = 2 and
m = −1. Let y1 = e2x and y2 = e−x . Wronskian W (y1 , y2 ) is
e−x 
 2x 
e
W (y1 , y2 ) =  2x = −e2x e−x − 2e−x e2x = −3ex .
−e−x 

2e
−y2 · g(x) y1 · g(x)
We seek a particular solution yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 where u01 = and u02 = . So
W W
e−x · 2e−x
Z Z
2 2
u1 = − x
dx = e−3x dx = − e−3x ,
−3e 3 9
e · 2e−x
Z 2x Z
2 2
u2 = x
dx = − 1dx = − x.
−3e 3 3
Therefore a particular solution is
2 2 2 2
yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 = − e−3x · e2x − x · e−x = − e−x − x · e−x ,
9 3 9 3
and the the general solution is
2 2
y = yc + yp = C1 e2x + C2 e−x − e−x − x · e−x
9 3
2x −x 2 −x
= C1 e + C2 e − x · e .
3
14. y 00 + 2y 0 + y = 3e−x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + 2m + 1 = (m + 1)2 = 0 has a root m = −1 with multiplicity
2. Let y1 = e−x and y2 = xe−x . Wronskian W (y1 , y2 ) is
 −x
xe−x 

e
W (y1 , y2 ) =  −x = e−2x (1 − x + x) = e−2x .
(1 − x)e−x 

−e

5
 −y2 · g(x) y1 · g(x)
We seek a particular solution yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 where u01 = and u02 = . So
W W
xe−x · 3e−x
Z Z
3
u1 = − −2x
dx = −3 xdx = − x2 ,
e 2
Z −x
e · 3e−x
Z
u2 = dx = 3 1dx = 3x.
e−2x
Therefore a particular solution is
3 3
yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 = − x2 · e−x + 3x · xe−x = x2 e−x ,
2 2
and the the general solution is
3
y = yc + yp = C1 e−x + C2 xe−x + x2 e−x
2
1
15. 4y 00 − 4y 0 + y = 16e 2 x
1 1
Sol. The standard form of the equation is y 00 − y 0 + 14 y = 4e 2 x and g(x) = 4e 2 x . The characteristic
1
equation m2 − m + 14 = (m − 12 )2 = 0 has a root m = 21 with multiplicity 2. Let y1 = e 2 x and
1
y2 = xe 2 x . Wronskian W (y1 , y2 ) is
 1 1

 2x
e xe 2 x 1 1

x
W (y1 , y2 ) =  1 1 x 1  = e (1 + x − x) = ex .

2e2 1 x 2 2
(1 + 2 x)e 2

−y2 · g(x) y1 · g(x)

We seek a particular solution yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 where u01 = and u02 = . So
W W
1 1
xe 2 x · 4e 2 x
Z Z
u1 = − dx = −4 xdx = −2x2 ,
ex
1 1
e 2 x · 4e 2 x
Z Z
u2 = dx = 4dx = 4x.
ex
Therefore a particular solution is
1 1 1
yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 = −2x2 · e 2 x + 4x · xe 2 x = 2x2 e 2 x ,

and the the general solution is

1 1 1
y = yc + yp = C1 e 2 x + C2 xe 2 x + 2x2 e 2 x

16. y 00 + y = sec x
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + 1 = 0 has complex roots m = ±i. Let y1 = cos x and
y2 = sin x. Wronskian W (y1 , y2 ) is
 
 cos x sin x 
W (y1 , y2 ) =   = cos2 x + sin2 x = 1.
− sin x cos x

6
 −y2 · g(x) y1 · g(x)
We seek a particular solution yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 where u01 = and u02 = . So
W W
Z Z
sin x
u1 = − sin x · sec xdx = − dx = ln | cos x|,
cos x
Z Z Z
1
u2 = cos x · sec xdx = cos x · dx = 1dx = x.
cos x
Therefore a particular solution is

yp = u1 y1 + u2 y2 = ln | cos x| · cos x + x · sin x,

and the the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 cos x + C2 sin x + ln | cos x| cos x + x sin x

In Problems 17-18, solve the given differential equations subject to the initial condition.

17. y 00 + y 0 = 4x + 1, y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 45

Sol. The characteristic equation m2 + m = m(m + 1) = 0 has roots m = 0 and m = −1. The
complementary solution is
yc = C1 e0x + C2 e−x = C1 + C2 e−x .
Note that yc and y = Ax + B share constant terms. (One can check the equation does not
have a particular solution of the form y = Ax + B). Instead we modify our assumption and try
yp = x(Ax + B) = Ax2 + Bx for a particular solution of the equation. Substituting yp0 = 2Ax + B
and yp00 = 2A into the given equation yields

A = 2, B = −3

Thus a particular solution is yp = x(2x − 3) = 2x2 − 3x, and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = C1 + C2 e−x + x(2x − 3).

Since y 0 = −C2 e−x + 4x − 3, the initial conditions y(0) = 1, y 0 (0) = 4

5 imply

C1 + C2 = 1 and − C2 − 3 = 4/5.
24 −19
Now C1 = 5 and C2 = 5 , and the unique solution is

24 19 −x
y= − e + x(2x − 3).
5 5
18. y 00 + 4y 0 + 5y = 35e−4x , y(0) = −3, y 0 (0) = 1
Sol. The characteristic equation m2 +4m+5 = 0 has complex roots m = −2±i. The complementary
solution is
yc = e−2x (C1 cos x + C2 sin x).

7
Our assumption is that yp = Ae−4x is a particular solution for some A. Substituting yp0 = −4Ae−4x
and yp00 = 16Ae−4x into the given equation yields

A=7

Thus a particular solution is yp = 7e−4x , and so the general solution is

y = yc + yp = e−2x (C1 cos x + C2 sin x) + 7e−4x .

Since y 0 = e−2x {−2(C1 cos x + C2 sin x) − C1 cos x + C2 cos x} − 28e−4x , the initial conditions y(0) =
−3, y 0 (0) = 1 imply
C1 + 7 = −3 and − 2C1 + C2 − 28 = 1.
Now C1 = −10 and C2 = 9, and the unique solution is

y = e−2x (−10 cos x + 9 sin x) + 7e−4x .