ENGG295 Maths Tutorial – Sem 2 Week 2 – Medium Version

A. Solve the following systems of ODEs using matrix methods along with a trial solution
(‘ansatz’).
Method:
Preliminary work: Set up the matrix equation and trial solution

Matrix Step 1: Find the eigenvalues by writing down and solving the characteristic equation

Matrix Step 2: Find eigenvector(s) corresponding to each eigenvalue

Final Step: Write down the general solution using the ‘principle of superposition’ (easier than it sounds!)

1) 𝑥̇ 1 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥2
𝑥̇ 2 = 4𝑥1 + 6𝑥2

𝑑𝑥1
2) = 2𝑥1 + 3𝑥2
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥2
= 4𝑥1 + 2𝑥2
𝑑𝑡

B. Find a particular solution to A.1 by assuming the following initial conditions:

𝑥1 (0) = 6
𝑥2 (0) = 0
(This means you need to find the two unknown constants by setting up equations
using the initial conditions.)
C. Set up a matrix equation for the following coupled mass-spring system and solve to find
expressions for 𝒙𝟏 and 𝒙𝟐

Supplementary information:
• The vertical lines on the left and right sides are fixed walls
• 𝑚1 , 𝑚2 are two masses
• For the current problem we assume 𝑚1 = 𝑚2 = 𝑚
• Both of the ‘outer’ springs have the same spring constant, 𝑘 = 2
• The ‘inner’ spring has spring constant 𝐾 = 3
• 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 are the displacement from equilibrium of each mass, respectively
• Assume there is no friction.
Hint 1: to begin, equate 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 with 𝐹 = −𝑘𝑥 to get two 2nd-order differential
equations.

Hint 2: We DON’T need to convert these into first-order equations, for this particular
question. We can set up our matrix equation, and then try the trial solution. We’re
going to use a trial solution featuring ‘𝑟’ instead of 𝜆. When you get your
characteristic equation, substitute 𝜆 = 𝑚𝑟 2 and go from there.