SSG 204

(Differential Equations I)
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations & Application of 2nd
Order linear Differential Equations
by
Engr. O.A. Adeleye
 Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations
The characteristic (auxiliary) equation of the differential
equation
� � + ��−1 � �−1 + … + �1 �′ + �0 = 0
With constant coefficients �� � = 0,1,2… is given as
�� + ��−1 ��−1 + … + �1 �+ �0 = 0

Examples
The characteristic equation of �′′′′ − 3�′′′ + 2�′′ − � = 0 is
�4 − 3�3 + 2�2 − 1 = 0
And
� 5 − 3�′′′ + 5�′ − 7� = 0 is �5 − 3�3 + 5�− 7 = 0

The general solution is given as

�1 � �2 � ���
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations
Example 1
Solve the differential equation
�′′′ − 6�′′ + 11�′ − 6� = 0
Characteristic equation is
�3 − 6�2 + 11�− 6 = 0
Factorizing…, we obtain
�− 1 �− 2 �− 3 = 0
�1 = 1, �2 = 2, �3 = 3
Therefore the solution is
� = �1 �� + �2 �2� + �3 �3�
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations
Example 2
Solve the differential equation
�′′′′ − 9�′′ + 20� = 0
Characteristic equation is
�4 − 9�2 + 20 = 0
Factorizing…, we obtain
�+ 2 �− 2 �2 − 5 = 0
�+ 2 �− 2 �+ 5 �− 5 = 0
�1 =− 2, �2 = 2, �3 =− 5, �4 = 5
Therefore the solution is
5� 5�
� = �1 �−2� + �2 �2� + �3 �− + �4 �
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations
Example 3
Solve the differential equation
�′′′ − 6�′′ + 2�′ + 36� = 0
Characteristic equation is
�3 − 6�2 + 2�+ 36 = 0
Factorizing…, we obtain
�+ 2 �2 − 8�+ 18 = 0
�1 =− 2, �2 , �3 = 4 ± � 2
Therefore the solution is
� = �1 �−2� + �2 �4� cos 2 � + �3 �4� sin 2 �
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations: Classwork
• Solve the following Higher Order
Differential Equation
1. �′′′′ + 8�′′′ + 24�′′ + 32�′ + 16� = 0
�
(� Marks)
�

2. � 5 − �′′′′ − 2�′′′ + 2�′′ + �′ − � = 0

�
(� Marks)
�
Higher Order Linear Homogeneous
Differential Equations: Answers
1. �+ 2 4
Hence
� = �1 �−2� + �2 ��−2� + �3 �2 �−2� + �4 �3 �−2�
�
(� Marks)
�

2. �− 1 3 �+ 1 2
Hence
� = �1 �� + �2 ��� + �3 �2 �� + �4 �−� + �5 ��−�
�
(� Marks)
�
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations
Spring Problems
The simple spring system
shown in figure 5.1 below
consist of a mass �
attached to the lower end
of a spring that is itself
suspended vertically from
a mounting. The system is
in its equilibrium position
when it is at rest. Figure
5.1a. The mass is set in
motion by one or the
following means:
displacing the mass from
its equilibrium position,
providing it with an initial Figure 5.1 Spring System
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
Problems
Hooke’s law: The restoring force � of a spring is equal and opposite to the
forces applied to the spring and is proportional to the extension (contraction)
� of the spring as a result of the applied forces; that is � =− 푘� , where 푘
denotes the constant of proportionality, generally called the spring constant.

At any time t, there are three forces acting on the system: (1) F(t), measured
in the positive direction; (2) a restoring force given by Hooke's law as � =−
푘�, 푘 > 0; and (3) a force due to air resistance given by � =− ��, � > 0, where
a is the constant of proportionality.

Recall from Newton’s second law of motion that

�= � − 푘
� =푘 +�
�� =− 푘� − �� + � � (Restoring force = − �)
� 푘 ��
Or �+ �+ �= (1)
� � �
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
Problems
Vibrating spring, simple electrical circuits and floating bodies are all
governed by second order linear differential equations with constant
coefficients of the form
� + �1 � + �0 � = � � (2)
For a vibrating spring problem defined by equation (1),
� 푘 ��
�1 = , �0 = , and � � =
� � �

Example 1
A 10푘 mass is attached to a spring, stretching it 0.7�from its natural length.
The mass is started in motion from the equilibrium position with an initial
velocity of 1�/푠� in the upward direction. Find the subsequent motion, if
the force due to air resistance is 90��.

Solution
Let = 9.8�/푠� 2 ,
Therefore: weight � = 10 × 9.8 = 98�
� 98
Recall � = 푘� ∴푘= = = 140�/�
� 0.7
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
Problems
Using equation (2) � + � � + � � = � �
1 0
Where � = 90 (acceleration)
� � = 0 (No external force acting on body in motion)

� 푘 ��
From equation (1) � + � + � =
� � �
90 140
�+ �+ �=0
10 10
� + 9� + 14� = 0 (This is a 2nd Order Linear ODE
with constant coefficients)

Using characteristics equation

�2 + 9�+ 14 = 0
�+ 2 �+ 7 = 0
�1 =− 2, �2 =− 7
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
To determine � and � , boundaryProblems
1 conditions are used.
2
The body started from rest, hence � 0 = 0
i.e. at � = 0, � = 0 (displacement)
0 = �1 �−2 0 + �2 �−7 0
0 = �1 + �2 or �1 =− �2

Initial velocity in upward direction (− �) � = 1�/푠�

i.e. at � = 0, � =− 1�/푠� (velocity)
� =− 2�1 �−2� − 7�2 �−7�
−1 =− 2�1 �−2 0 − 7�2 �−7 0
−1 =− 2�1 − 7�2

but �1 =− �2
−1 =− 2 − �2 − 7�2
1 1
�2 = and �1 =−
5 5

1 1
Therefore � =− �−2� + �−7�
5 5
� −�� −��
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
Example 2 Problems
1
A 푘 mass is attached to a spring, stretching it 0.392�from its natural
4
length. The mass is started in motion from the equilibrium position with an
initial velocity of 4�/푠� in the downward direction. Find the subsequent
motion, if the force due to air resistance is 2��.

Solution
Let = 9.8�/푠� 2 ,
Therefore: weight � = 0.25 × 9.8 = 2.45�
� 2.45
Recall � = 푘� ∴푘= = = 6.25�/�
� 0.392
Using equation (2) � + �1 � + �0 � = � �
Where �=2
� � = 0 (No external force acting on body in motion)

� 푘 ��
From equation (1) �+ �+ �=
� � �
2 6.25
�+ �+ � =0
0.25 0.25
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
� + 8� + 25� = 0
Problems
(This is a 2 Order Linear ODE
nd

with constant coefficients)

Using characteristics equation

�2 + 8�+ 25 = 0
Hence, it is solved by using quadratic formular
−�± �2 −4� −8± 8 2 −4 1 25
�= =
2� 2 1
−8± 64−100 −8± −36
= =
2 2
−8±6�
= =− 4 ± 3�
2
Hence � =− 4 � = 3
Therefore � = �−4� �1 cos 3� + �2 sin 3�

To determine �1 and �2 , boundary conditions are used.

The body started from rest, hence � 0 = 0 i.e. at � = 0, � = 0
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
�=� −4� Problems
� cos 3� + � sin
1 3� 2
−4 0
0=� �1 cos 3 0 + �2 sin 3 0
0 = �1 + 0 or �1 = 0

Initial velocity in downward direction (+ �) � = 4�/푠�

i.e. at � = 0, � = 4�/푠� (velocity)
Recall � = �−4� �1 cos 3� + �2 sin 3�
therefore � = �1 −4�−4� cos 3� + −3�−4� sin 3�
+ �2 −4�−4� sin 3� + 3�−4� cos 3�
� =− �1 �−4� 4cos 3� + 3sin 3� + �2 �−4� 3cos 3� + 4sin 3�
at � = 0, � = 4 � =− �1 �−4 0 4cos 3 0 + 3sin 3 0
+ �2 �−4 0 3cos 3 0 + 4sin 3 0
4 =− �1 4 + 0 + �2 3 − 0
But �1 = 0
4
4 = 0 + 3�2 or �2 =
3

4
Therefore � = �−4� 0 cos 3� + sin 3�
3
4
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Spring
Problems
• Classwork
1
A 푘 mass is attached to a spring having a
2
spring constant of 8�/�. The mass is started
in motion by displacing it 10 �above its
equilibrium position with an initial velocity of
2�/푠� in the upward direction. Find the
subsequent motion, if the force due to air
resistance is 4��.
(2 Marks)
 Application of 2nd Order Linear
Differential Equations: Answer
1. � =− 0.1�−4� − 2.4� �−4� (2 Marks)