2nd order DE

Dr Ihab Joudeh
 Superposition Principle
• For the homogeneous equation the backbone
of this structure is the superposition principle
or linearity principle.
• It States that we can obtain further solutions
from given ones by adding them or by
multiplying them with any constants. Of
course, this is a great advantage of
homogeneous linear ODEs.
Example
Example 1
Example 3
Example1
Example 2
Example 3
Example
Example
Example
K
Example without repeated roots
Example with repeated roots
Used for Both constant and non constant
coefficients.
Used for r(x) that is of general nature.
 Variation of parameters steps
1. Find solutions to the homogeneous
equation, 𝒚𝟏(x) 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝟐(x)
2. Identify r(x). Remember equation must
have the form: 𝑦" + 𝑝(x)𝑦′ + 𝑞(x)𝑦 = r(x)
3. Find the Wronskian 𝑾(𝒚𝟏, 𝒚𝟐)

4. Use formula below to find yp solution.

Example - constant coefficients
Example - constant coefficients
Example- non constant coefficients
Example- non constant coefficients