PURPOSE

To present a simple procedure for finding a particular solution

𝑦𝑝 (𝑥) of the linear nonhomogeneous equation
𝑎𝑦 ′′ + 𝑏𝑦 ′ + 𝑐𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
when the nonhomogeneous term 𝑓(𝑥) is either 𝑥 𝑛 , 𝑒 𝑎𝑥 , sin 𝛽𝑥,
cos 𝛽𝑥, or products of these functions.
Step 1 Solve the corresponding homogeneous equation
𝑎𝑦 ′′ + 𝑏𝑦 ′ + 𝑐𝑦 = 0 → 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 = ⋯
Step 2 Pick the form for a particular solution 𝑦𝑝 𝑥 depending
on the nonhomogeneous term 𝑓(𝑥). Remember that no term in
𝑦𝑝 (𝑥) may also be a solution of the homogeneous equation 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 .
If agreement occurs, multiply 𝑦𝑝 𝑥 by 𝑥.
Step 3 Subtitute 𝑦𝑝 𝑥 and its derivatives into the differential
eqations. Then, solve the system of equations for undetermined
coefficients.
Step 4 Find the general solution
𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 + 𝑦𝑝 𝑥
Table 1. Form of Particular Solution 𝑦𝑝
1) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ + 3𝑦 = 2
2
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 +
3
2) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ + 3𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 = 2𝑒 3𝑥
1 3𝑥
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 + 𝑒
10
3) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ − 4𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 = 2𝑥 2
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 7
4) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ − 3𝑦′ + 2𝑦 = 10 sin 2𝑥
1
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 + − sin 2𝑥 + 3 cos 2𝑥
2
5) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ − 3𝑦 ′ + 4𝑦 = 𝑥𝑒 2𝑥
1 2𝑥
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 + 𝑒 (2𝑥 − 1)
4
6) Find the general solution of
𝑦 ′′ − 3𝑦 ′ − 4𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥
1
Answer: 𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦ℎ 𝑥 − 𝑥𝑒 −𝑥
5
Find the solution of the initial-value problem below
1) 𝑦 ′′ + 𝑦 = 2𝑥, y 0 = 1, y ′ 0 = 2
2) 𝑦 ′′ − 4𝑦 ′ + 4𝑦 = 𝑒 2𝑥 , y 0 = 0, y ′ 0 = 0
3) 𝑦 ′′ + 3𝑦 ′ + 2𝑦 = 20 cos 2𝑥 , y 0 = −1, y ′ 0 = 6
4) 𝑦 ′′ − 5𝑦 ′ + 6𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 2𝑥 − 3 , 𝑦 0 = 1, 𝑦 ′ 0 = 3