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Section 4.1: General Theory of NTH Order Linear Equations

This document discusses examples of determining the intervals in which solutions exist for nth order linear differential equations. It examines equations with continuous and discontinuous functions to find the intervals of existence. It also demonstrates determining if sets of functions are linearly independent or dependent by calculating their Wronskian. If dependent, it expresses the relationship between the functions.

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Juan Arias
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63 views2 pages

Section 4.1: General Theory of NTH Order Linear Equations

This document discusses examples of determining the intervals in which solutions exist for nth order linear differential equations. It examines equations with continuous and discontinuous functions to find the intervals of existence. It also demonstrates determining if sets of functions are linearly independent or dependent by calculating their Wronskian. If dependent, it expresses the relationship between the functions.

Uploaded by

Juan Arias
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Differential Equations Homework: General Theory of nth Order Linear Equations Page 1

Section 4.1: General Theory of nth Order Linear Equations

Example (4.1.4) Determine the intervals in which solutions are sure to exist for the differential equation y 000 + ty 00 +
t2 y 0 + t3 y = ln t.
The functions P1 (t) = t, P2 (t) = t2 and P3 (t) = t3 are continuous on t ∈ (−∞, ∞).
g(t) = ln t is continuous on t ∈ (0, ∞).
Therefore, a solution exists on the interval I = (0, ∞).
Example (4.1.6) Determine the intervals in which solutions are sure to exist for the differential equation (x2 − 4)y (iv) +
x2 y 000 + 9y = 0.
x2 9
Rewrite in standard form: y (iv) + y 000 + 2 y = 0.
x2 −4 x −4
x2 9
The functions P3 (t) = , P6 (t) = 2 are continuous on (−∞, −2) ∪ (−2, 2) ∪ (2, ∞).
x2 − 4 x −4
Therefore, solutions are sure to exist on the interval (−∞, −2), (−2, 2), and (2, ∞).
Example (4.1.7) Determine whether the functions f1 (t) = 2t − 3, f2 (t) = t2 + 1, and f3 (t) = 2t2 − t are linearly
independent or linearly dependent. If they are linearly dependent, find a relation between them.

f1 (t) f2 (t) f3 (t)


W (f1 , f2 , f3 )(t) = f10 (t) f20 (t) f30 (t)
f100 (t) f200 (t) f300 (t)
2t − 3 t2 + 1 2t2 − t
= 2 2t 4t − 1
0 2 4
2t 4t − 1 t2 + 1 2t2 − t t2 + 1 2t2 − t
= (2t − 3) − (2) + (0)
2 4 2 4 2t 4t − 1
2 2
= (2t − 3)(
8t − 
8t + 2) − (2)(
4t + 4 −
4t + 4t)
= 4t − 6 − 8 − 8t
= −4t − 14 6= 0 for t = 0

Therefore, 2t − 3, t2 + 1, and 2t2 − t are linearly independent.


Example (4.1.11) Verify the functions f1 (t) = 1, f2 (t) = cos t, and f3 (t) = sin t are solutions of the differential equation
y 000 + y 0 = 0. Determine their Wronskian.
Verify they are solutions via direct substitution:

y1 (t) = 1, y10 (t) = 0, y100 (t) = 0, y1000 (t) = 0.

y 000 + y 0 = 0 + 0 = 0.

y2 (t) = cos t, y20 (t) = − sin t, y200 (t) = − cos t, y2000 (t) = sin t.

y 000 + y 0 = sin t + (− sin t) = 0.

y3 (t) = sin t, y30 (t) = cos t, y300 (t) = − sin t, y3000 (t) = − cos t.

y 000 + y 0 = − cos t + (cos t) = 0.


Differential Equations Homework: General Theory of nth Order Linear Equations Page 2

1 cos t sin t
W (1, cos t, sin t)(t) = 0 − sin t cos t
0 − cos t − sin t
− sin t cos t
= (1) +0
− cos t − sin t
= sin2 t + cos2 t = 1

Therefore, 1, cos t, and sin t are linearly independent.

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