Boyce & DiPrima ODEs 10e: Section 2.

1 - Problem 16 Page 1 of 1

Problem 16
In each of Problems 13 through 20, find the solution of the given initial value problem.

y 0 + (2/t)y = (cos t)/t2 , y(π) = 0, t>0

Solution

2 cos t
y0 + y = 2
t t
This is a first-order linear inhomogeneous equation, so it can be solved with an integrating factor.
ˆ t 
2 2
I(t) = exp ds = e2 ln t = eln t = t2
s

Multiply both sides of the ODE by I(t).

t2 y 0 + 2ty = cos t

The left side can be written as d/dt(Iy) by the product rule.

d 2
(t y) = cos t
dt
Integrate both sides with respect to t.

t2 y = sin t + C

Divide both sides by t2 to solve for y(t).

sin t + C
y(t) =
t2
Apply the initial condition y(π) = 0 here to determine C.

0+C
y(π) = =0 → C=0
π2
Therefore,
sin t
y(t) = .
t2

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