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Differential Equations

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Higher Order Differential Equations

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Higher Order Linear Differential Equations:
A linear nth order differential equation in dependent variable is of the form ----
(1) where and are functions of the independent variable
First we shall study the differential equation of the form
------(2), where are real constants.
Equation (1) is with variable coefficients while equation (2) is with constant
coefficients. Equation (1) and (2) both are nonhomogeneous if and are
homogeneous if .

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The general solution of eq (2) is , where is called complementary function (C.F.) and is
called particular integral (P.I.).

(i) Let be the solution of the nth order homogeneous

linear differential equation ----(3), are linearly independent solutions of eq (3).

(ii) Let be the any particular solution of eq (2), that is, does not contain any constant.

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 Solution of Homogeneous 2nd Order Linear Differential Equation
Consider 2nd order homogeneous linear differential equation with constant
coefficients
Let becomes

Characteristic equation is

There are three cases depending upon nature of the roots of the characteristic
equation. Let be the two roots of eq (2).

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Case I. Roots are real and distinct

Let therefore

Case II. Roots are real and equal

Let therefore

Case III. Roots are complex

Let , therefore

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Case II. Roots are real and equal

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Case III. Roots are complex

Here and

Therefore

[A where and

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Example: Solve

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Solution: Let

Therefore

Characteristic equation is

, roots are real and distinct

Therefore the required general solution is

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Question: Solve

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Solution: Let

Therefore

Characteristic equation is

, repeated real roots

Therefore the required general solution is

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Question: Solve the differential equation with given

conditions .

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Solution: Let

Therefore

Characteristic equation is

, roots are complex

Therefore

Applying the first given condition we get

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Differentiate eq (1) w.r.t

Applying 2nd condition , we get

Therefore required solution is

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Question: Solve the given differential equation

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Solution: Let

Therefore

Characteristic equation is

, roots are real and distinct

Therefore the required general solution is

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Any Questions?

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