Boyce & DiPrima ODEs 10e: Section 7.

5 - Problem 10 Page 1 of 2

Problem 10
In each of Problems 9 through 14, find the general solution of the given system of equations.
 
0 2 2+i
x = x
−1 −1 − i

Solution

Because this is a constant-coefficient homogeneous linear system, it’s expected to have solutions
of the form x = eλt ξ, where ξ has constant elements.
 
λt 2 2+i
λe ξ = eλt ξ
−1 −1 − i

Divide both sides by eλt .  

2 2+i
λξ = ξ
−1 −1 − i
This is now an eigenvalue problem.
   
2 2+i λ 0
− ξ=0
−1 −1 − i 0 λ
 
2−λ 2+i
ξ=0 (1)
−1 −1 − i − λ
The eigenvalues satisfy  
2−λ 2+i
det = 0.
−1 −1 − i − λ
Evaluate the determinant and solve for λ.

(2 − λ)(−1 − i − λ) + 2 + i = 0

−i − (1 − i)λ + λ2 = 0
(λ + i)(λ − 1) = 0
λ = {−i, 1}
Let
λ1 = 1 and λ2 = −i.
Substitute these two eigenvalues into equation (1) to determine the corresponding eigenvectors.
   
2 − λ1 2+i 2 − λ2 2+i
ξ =0 ξ =0
−1 −1 − i − λ1 1 −1 −1 − i − λ2 2
   
1 2+i 2+i 2+i
ξ =0 ξ2 = 0
−1 −2 − i 1 −1 −1
ξ1 + (2 + i)ξ2 = 0 (2 + i)ξ1 + (2 + i)ξ2 = 0
ξ1 = −(2 + i)ξ2 ξ1 = −ξ2
           
ξ1 −(2 + i)ξ2 −2 − i ξ1 −ξ2 −1
ξ1 = = = ξ2 ξ2 = = = ξ2
ξ2 ξ2 1 ξ2 ξ2 1

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Boyce & DiPrima ODEs 10e: Section 7.5 - Problem 10 Page 2 of 2

Two solutions to the system are then

   
λ1 t −2 − i λ2 t −1
x1 = e and x2 = e .
1 1

Therefore, by the principle of superposition, the general solution is

   
t −2 − i −it −1
x = C1 e + C2 e ,
1 1

where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constants.

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