Example 5.

35
Solve the second-order difference equation
3 1 −n
y [ n ] − y [ n−1 ] + y [ n−2 ] =2 (1)
2 2
with the initial conditions y (– 2)=0∧ y (– 1)=2.

Solution 5.35
The solution consists of three steps.
Assume the complementary solution as
n n
yc (n)=c1 ( λ 1) + c 2 ( λ 2 )
n
Substituting y (n)= λ in the homogeneous counterpart of (1)we obtainthe
characteristic equation
2 3 1
λ − λ+ =0
2 2

the roots of which are

1
λ 1= ∧ λ2=1.
2
Thus

() ()
n n
1 n 1
y h ( n )=c1 + c2 ( 1 ) =c 1 +c 2 (2)
2 2

To choose an appropriate particular solution, we refer to Table 5.1. From the given
forcing function and lines 1 and 3 of Table 5.1, it follows that a choice for the particular
solution is

()
n
1
y p ( n )=nK
2

However, we observe that this choice for the particular solution and y h (n)∈(2) have
common terms, each of which is a constant; that is, K and c 1, respectively. Thus in

()
n
1
accordance with the footnote of Table 5.1, we modify the choice n K to obtain.
2

()
n
1
y p ( n )=nK (3)
2

Next, substitution of y p (n)∈(3) into(1) leads to

 () () ()
n−1 n−2 n
3 1 1 1 1
Kn− K ( n−1 ) + K ( n−2 ) = (4 )
2 2 2 2 2

equating the coefficient of 3−n and constant, from (4) it follows that
K=−1

() ()
n n
1 1
y ( n )=c1 + c2 −n .(5)
2 2

To evaluate c 1∧c 2 ∈(5), the given initial conditions are used; that is,
y ( – 2 ) =0∧ y (– 1)=2

This leads to the simultaneous equations.

4 c 1+ c 2=−8

2 c 1+ c 2=0

Solving, we obtain c 1=– 4∧c 2=¿ 8, which yields the desired solution as

() ()
n n
1 1
y ( n )=−4 + 8−n , n≥ 0
2 2

( ) [ 8 ( 2) −4−n] ,
n
1 n
y ( n )=
2