MATH 4: Differential Equations

MODULE 2
SOLUTIONS OF D.E.
Definition and Examples

Any function 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙) which satisfies this equation over the interval (I) is called a solution of
the ODE. This means the 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 Ø(𝒙) is called a solution if the following requirements are satisfied.

• The 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 Ø(𝒙) is defined in the region 𝑥 𝜖 (𝐼)

• The 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 Ø(𝒙) is differentiable hence
• { Ø′(𝑥), . . Ø(𝑛) (𝑥) } all exit in the region 𝑥 𝜖 (𝐼);

Solving the differential equation means finding x in terms of t. A solution of a

differential equation in the unknown function y and the independent variable x on the
interval t, is a function y(x) that satisfies the differential equation identically for all x in
t. That is, we want to find a function of t, which we call x, such that when we plug x, t,
𝑑𝑥
and into the equation.
𝑑𝑡

Example :
Lets validate if y(x) = c1 sin 2x + c2 cos 2x is a solution of y’’ + 4y = 0

where c1 and c2 are arbitrary constants

How can we validate this? We just plug x into equation . and compute for the
𝑑𝑥
differentiation of y , thus or we can also label if as y’.
𝑑𝑡

Since we are trying to get y’’ , this means

we have to differentiate y two times.

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
On finding y’ this means we apply first differentiation to y = c1 sin 2x + c2 cos 2x . Note
that our equation is made up of a Constant multiple ( having a variable constant 2 in each
of the terms c1 sin 2x and c2 cos 2x). Also, we have two trigonometric functions here that
is cos x and sine x. Now lets refer to the differentiation of these terms.

For c1 sin 2x, we can both apply differentiation for a constant multiple and sin.

and

this means c1 sin 2x will be under differentiation giving us:

𝑑 𝑑
𝑜𝑓𝑐1 sin 2𝑥 = 2𝑐1 ( sin 𝑥) applying
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

= 2𝑐1 cos 𝑥 applying

For c2 cos 2x theres also a constant multiple and a cos x. Differentiating them
will give us:
𝑑 𝑑
of c2 cos 2x =2c2 (𝑑𝑥 cos x ) applying
𝑑𝑥

= - 2c2 sin x applying

Thus the first differentiation y’ gives us

But since what we are trying to validate is in the second differentiation y’’, we
have to find the differentiation of y’ (y prime).
𝑑
y’’ = 𝑑𝑥 (2𝑐1 cos 2𝑥 − 2 𝑐2 sin 2𝑥)
𝑑 𝑑
=(2)(2) c1 (𝑑𝑥cos x ) - (2)(2) c2 (𝑑𝑥 sin x) applying

= -4 c1 sin x - 4 c2 cos x applying and

Now that we get y’’ y’’ y

We can do

Now we just have to simplify this and prove that it is equal to 0

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
Lets take note however that there are cases when an ODE

o Has no solution – if no function y(x) will satisfy this equation

o General solution is the set of all solution
o Exactly one solution – when y=0 we call this a particular solution. When
the arbitrary constant of the general solution takes some unique value,
then the solution becomes the particular solution of the equation. So, to
obtain a particular solution, first of all, a general solution is found out and
then, by using the given conditions the particular solution is generated.

No Solution Example:

Determine whether y =x2 -1 is a solution of (y’)4 + y2 =-1

Note that the left side of the DE must be non negative for every real function y(x) and
any x since it is the sum of terms raised to the second and fourth powers while the right
side of the equation is negative. Since no function will satisfy this equation it has no
solution.

General and Particular Solution Example:

Determine whether the function y(x)=c1ex+c2e−3x+sin x is a general solution of the

𝒅𝟐 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
differential equation given as + 𝟐 𝒅𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒚 = 2cos t– 4 sin t
𝒅𝒙

**this means we later have to prove that

𝒅𝟐 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
+𝟐 −𝟑𝒚 is all equal to 2cos t– 4 sin t note that
𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝒙

𝒅𝟐 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
+ 𝟐 𝒅𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒚 can also be represented by y’’ + 2y’ – 3y just in case you missed it.
𝒅𝒙

Also find the particular solution of the given differential equation satisfying the initial
value conditions y(0) = 2 and y’ (0) = -5.

Solution:

The function f(t) must satisfy the differential equation in order to be a solution. So let us
first write down the derivatives of y.

y(x) or y=c1ex+c2e−3tx+sin x this is the original equation. We can see that we can
apply the following differentiation

for c1ex and for c2e−3x and

for sin x

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
c1ex becomes c1ex

c2e−3x becomes (-3)c2 (d/dx of e-3x) thus -3 c2 e-3x

sin x becomes cos x

Giving us

y’(x) or y’ =c1ex– 3c2e−3x+cosx

now to get y’’, we have to differentiate y’

We can see that we can apply the following differentiation

for c1ex and for 3c2e−3x and

for cos x

c1ex remains c1ex

3c2e−3x becomes (-3*-3)c2 (d/dx of e-3x) thus 9 c2 e-3x

cos x becomes -sin x

y’’(x) o y’’ = c1ex+9c2e−3x–sinx

Now let us use these values for y in the left-hand side of the differential equation and
compute the result.
𝒅𝟐 𝒚 𝒅𝒚
+ 𝟐 𝒅𝒙 − 𝟑 𝒚 = y’’ + 2y’ – 3y = (c1ex+9c2e−3x–sinx) + 2(c1ex–
𝒅𝒙
3c2e−3x+cosx)−3(c1ex+c2e−3x+sin x) lets see if we simplify this, will we get

2cosx–4sinx

(c1ex+9c2e−3x–sinx) + 2(c1ex– 3c2e−3x+cosx)−3(c1ex+c2e−3x+sin x) =2cosx–4sinx

c1ex+9c2e−3x–sinx +2c1ex– 6c2e−3x+2cosx−3c1ex-3 c2e−3x- 3sinx =2cosx–4sinx

(c1ex+2c1ex −3c1ex )+(9c2e−3tx– 6c2e−3x +3c2e−3x )+(-sin x-3sinx) +2cosx = 2cosx–4sinx

0 + 0 - 4 sinx + 2 cos x = 2cosx–4sinx

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
Thus we find the left-hand side of the differential equation to be equal to the right-hand
side after simplification. Therefore, given y(x) is a solution of the differential equation.

Now we have to determine the particular solution:

From the expression y(x)=c1ex+c2e−3x+sin x at x = 0 we get –

y(0) = c1e0+c2e−3(0)+sin 0 = c1+c2 + 0 (1)

Similarly, from the expression y’(x) = c1ex– 3c2e−3x+cosx, at x = 0 we get –

y′(0)= c1e0– 3c2e−3(0)+cos0 = c1–3c2+1 (2)

Remember y(0) = 2 and y’(0) = -5 thus

c1+c2 = 2 and c1–3c2+1 = -5

On solving the simultaneous linear equations (1) and (2), we can get the values of c 1 and
c2 as

C1 = 2 – c2 substitute this to (2) and

We get (2 – c2) – 3c2 + 1 = -5

-4c2 + 3 = -5
−5−3
𝐶2 = = 8/4 = 2
−4

C2 = 2 and c1 = 2- c2 = 2 – 2 = 0

Thus we have:

c1=0 and c2=2

Then the required particular solution is –

y(x)= (0) ex+2e−3(x)+sin x

y(x)= 2e−3(x)+sin x

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
Now study some given examples below for Module 1 and 2.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering

 MATH 4: Differential Equations
For reference, Ill give you the list of differentiation below:

Prepared by: Pamela Jane M. Agapay, Instructor 1, MSC-School of Engineering