1

1.

4.4) Undetermined Coefficients Superposition Approach

The general solution of nth-order non-homogeneous linear DE:
an y ( n ) ( x) an 1 y ( n 1) ( x) ... a2 y( x) a1 y( x) a0 y ( x) g ( x)

(1)
on an interval I is given by: y yc y p
2.

yc is the complementary function of (1) which is the general solution of the

associated homogeneous equation:
an y ( n) an 1 y ( n 1) ... a2 y a1 y a0 y 0

3.

y p is any particular solution of (1).

4.

y p can be determined by the method of undetermined coefficients.

This method is, however, limited to non-homogeneous linear equations (1) where:
the coefficients ai , i 0,1, 2,..., n are constants and
g ( x) is a constant , example: g ( x) 9 ,

or a polynomial function example: g ( x) 3x 2 4,

or an exponential function example: g ( x) e 2 x

or a sine or cosine function example: g ( x) sin 5 x or g ( x ) cos x,

or finite sums and products of these functions

example: g ( x) x3 3x 2 e x sin 6 x

5.

To determine the particular solution, y p , by the superposition approach:

Since g ( x) have derivatives of a form similar to g ( x) itself, then we choose a trial
particular solution y p , that is similar to that of g ( x) , and involving unknown
coefficients to be determined by substituting that choice for y p into (1).

Example: Solve the given DE by undetermined coefficients.

a)

4 y '' 9 y 15

b)

y '' 10 y ' 25 y 30 x 3

4.4) Undetermined Coefficients Superposition Approach

Table 1: Some Examples of trial particular solutions.

6.

Finding the trial particular solution, y p :

Case 1: Consider the case when the y p is also a solution of the associated

homogeneous DE. (ie y pi contains terms that duplicate terms in yc )

Rule 1: Then that y pi must be multiplied by x n , where n is the smallest

positive integer that eliminate that duplication.

Case 2: Consider the case when g ( x) consists of m terms of the kind listed

in the table, let: g ( x) g1 ( x) g 2 ( x) ... g m ( x )

Rule 2: Then, y y p1 y p2 ... y pm

Example: (Case 1, Rule 1)

Solve the given DE by undetermined coefficients: y '' 16 y 2e 4 x
Example: (Case 2, Rule 2)
Solve the given DE by undetermined coefficients: y '' 2 y ' 2 x 5 e 2 x

4.4) Undetermined Coefficients Superposition Approach

Example: Finding the form of particular solution y p

yc

g ( x)

Form of y p

c1 cos 3 x c2 sin 3 x

48 x 2e3 x

( Ax 2 Bx C )e3 x
No duplication between yc
and y p

c1 c2 x c3e6 x

3 cos x

A ( B cos x C sin x )
Duplication between yc and
y p in A
Therefore:
y p Ax 2 ( B cos x C sin x )

c1e4 x c2e4 x

2e 4 x x 2 2 x

Ae4 x ( Bx 2 Cx D )
Duplication between yc and
y p in Ae4x
Therefore:
y p Axe4 x ( Bx 2 Cx D )

c1 c2e2 x

2 x 5 e 2 x

( Ax B ) Ce2 x
Duplication between yc and
y p in ( Ax B ) and Ce 2x
Therefore:
y p x 2 ( Ax B ) Cxe2 x

4.4) Undetermined Coefficients Superposition Approach

Example: Finding the form of particular solution y p (DO NOT SOLVE)

1)

y 4 y 2 x 5e 2 x xe2 x

2)

y 2 y 2 x 5 e 2 x

3)

y 8 y 20 y 100 x 2 26 xe x

3)

y ( 4) y 4 x 2 xe x