International Journal of Science and Engineering Applications

Volume 8–Issue 08,376-379, 2019, ISSN:-2319–7560

Some Applications of Eigenvalues in Engineering

Problems

Kyaw Kyaw Than Aye Aye Khine Nwe Thazin Wai

Department of Engineering Department of Mechnical Department of Engineering
Mathematics Engineering Mathematics
Technological University Yangon Technological Technological University
Thanlyin, Myanmar University Thanlyin, Myanmar
Yangon, Myanmar

Abstract: In this paper, some applications of eigenvalues, which are useful in solving engineering problems, are presented.
Keywords: Mixing problem, Vibrating system.

Water Mixture
1. INTORDUCTION 20 L/min 6 L/min

Eigenvalue problems are of practical interest to the engineers,

physicists, and mathematicians; we shall see that their theory
makes up a paper in linear algebra that has found numerous
applications.In this paper we discuss a few typical examples from
Tank 1 Tank 2
the range of applications of matrix eigenvalue problems. Matrix
eigenvalue problems concern the solutions of the vector equations
𝐀𝐱 = λ𝐱 30L 30L

where 𝐀 is a given square matrix and vector 𝐱 ≠ 𝟎 and scalar Observe

λ are unknown. Here 𝐱 is called the eigenvector of 𝐀 and λ’s
are called the eigenvalues of 𝐀 .
Mixture Mixture Mixture
2. EIGENVALUE 5 L/min 21 L/min 15 L/min
Figure 1. Mixing problem involving two tanks
The eigenvalues of a square matrix 𝐀 are the roots of the
characteristic equation of 𝐀. Hence an 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrix 𝐀 has at first that
least one eigenvalue and at most 𝑛 numerically different the amount of liquid in each tank remains constant because the
eigenvalues. rate at which liquid enters each tank is the same as the rate at
which it leaves. Thus each tank always contains 30L of liquid.
2.1 Mixing Problem Involving Two Tanks
Now let
We consider mixing problem involving two tanks as follows.
y1 (𝑡) = amount of salt in tank 1 at time 𝑡 ,
Suppose that two tanks are connected as shown in the
accompanying figure (1). At time 𝑡 = 0, tank 1 contains 30 L of y2 (𝑡) = amount of salt in tank 2 at time 𝑡 ,
water in which 2 kg of salt has been dissolved, and tank 2 contains
and let the rates of change be y1′ and y2′ .
30 L of water in which 5 kg of salt has been dissolved. Pure water
is pumped into tank 1 at the rate of 20 L/min; the saline mixtures Since the rate at which salt enters
are exchanged between the two tanks at the rates shown, the
L y2 (𝑡) kg y2 (𝑡) kg
mixture in tank 2 drains out at the rate of 15 L/min, and the tank 1 = (6 )( )= and
min 30 L 5 min
mixture in tank 1 drains out at the rate of 5 L/min. We want to
find the amount of salt in the two tanks at time 𝑡. the rate at which salt leaves
L y1 (𝑡) kg 13y1 (𝑡) kg
tank 1 = (26 )( )= ,
min 30 L 15 min

the rate of change of y1 (𝑡) is

y2 (𝑡) 13y1 (𝑡)
y1′ (𝑡) = rate in − rate out = −
5 15

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 International Journal of Science and Engineering Applications
Volume 8–Issue 08,376-379, 2019, ISSN:-2319–7560

Since the rate at which salt enters 7

From these two equations, we have 𝑥2 = 𝑥1
3
L y1 (𝑡) kg 7y1 (𝑡) kg
tank 2 = (21 )( )= and ∴ we may choose 𝑥1 = 3 , then 𝑥2 = 7.
min 30 L 10 min

the rate at which salt leaves 3

𝐱𝟏 = [ ]
7
L y2 (𝑡) kg 7y2 (𝑡) kg
tank 2 = (21 )( )= , 7
min 30 L 10 min λ2 = − corresponding equation are
6
the rate of change of y2 (𝑡) is 3 1
𝑥 + 𝑥2 = 0
7y1 (𝑡) 7y2 (𝑡) 10 1 5
y2′ (𝑡) = rate in − rate out = − 7
𝑥1 +
7
𝑥2 = 0
10 10
10 15
Mixture problem is the system of the first-order ODEs 3
From these two equations, we have 𝑥2 = − 𝑥1
13 1 2
𝑦1′ =− y + y2
15 1 5 ∴ we may choose 𝑥1 = −2 , then 𝑥2 = 3.
(Tank 1) −2
𝐱𝟐 = [ ]
7 7
3
𝑦2′ = y − y
10 1 10 2 From (1)
3 −25𝑡 −2 7
(Tank 2) y = c1 𝐱𝟏 𝑒 λ1𝑡 + c2 𝐱𝟐 𝑒 λ2𝑡 = c1 [ ]𝑒 + [ ] 𝑒 −6𝑡 (3)
7 3
or
where c1 and c1 are arbitrary constants.
𝐲 ′ = 𝐀𝐲 where
Initial condition are y1 (0) = 2 and y2 (0) = 5.
13 1
− y1 Therefore,
𝐀 = [ 715 5
7] and 𝐲 = [y ]
− 2
3 −2 3c − 2c2 2
10 10 y(0) = c1 [ ] + c2 [ ] = [ 1 ]=[ ]
7 3 7c1 + 3c2 5
Let 𝐲 = 𝐱𝑒 λ𝑡 be solution of 𝐲 ′ = 𝐀𝐲 (1)
Then 3c1 − 2c2 = 2 and 7c1 + 3c2 = 5
Then λ𝐱𝑒 λ𝑡 = 𝐀𝐱𝑒 λ𝑡 16 1
and hence c1 = , c2 =
𝑥1 23 23
𝐀𝐱 = λ𝐱 where 𝐱 = [𝑥 ] 2 7
2 16 1 16 3 −25𝑡 1 −2 −76𝑡
y= 𝐱 𝟏 𝑒 − 5𝑡 + 𝐱 𝟐 𝑒 − 6𝑡 = [ ]𝑒 + [ ]𝑒
which is an eigenvalue problem. 23 23 23 7 23 3

13 1
− 𝑥 + 𝑥2 = λ𝑥1
15 1 5 y
7 7
𝑥 − 𝑥 = λ𝑥2
10 1 10 2
amount of salt

13 1
(− − λ) 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 = 0 6
15 5
7 7
𝑥 + (− − λ) 𝑥2 = 0
10 1 10
4
(𝐀 − λI)𝐱 = 0 y2

For non trivial solutions, 2 y1

13 1
− −λ
15 5
det( 𝐀 − λI) = | 7 7 |=0
− −λ t
10 10 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
time, t
13 7 7
(− − λ) (− − λ) − =0 Figure 2. Leaving Salt Vs time graph
15 10 50
47 7
λ2 + λ+ =0 (2)
30 15
2 7
The solutions of quadratic equation are λ1 = − and λ2 = − . In components,
5 6
2
λ1 = − corresponding equation are 2 7
5 y1 = 2.096𝑒 −5𝑡 − 0.09𝑒 −6𝑡 (Tank 1, lower curve)
7 1
− 𝑥 + 𝑥2 = 0 2 7

7
15 1 5
3
y2 = 4.87𝑒 −5𝑡 + 0.13𝑒 −6𝑡 (Tank 2, upper curve)
𝑥 − 𝑥2 = 0
10 1 10

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 International Journal of Science and Engineering Applications
Volume 8–Issue 08,376-379, 2019, ISSN:-2319–7560

2.2 Vibrating System of Two Masses on Two −20 − λ 8

det( 𝐀 − λI) = | |=0
8 −8 − λ
Springs
(−20 − λ)(−8 − λ) − 64 = 0
Mass-spring systems involving several masses and springs can be
treated as eigenvalue problems. The mechanical system in figure λ2 + 28λ + 96 = 0
(3) is governed by the system of ODEs The solutions of quadratic equation are λ1 = −4 and λ2 = −24.
Consequently, 𝜔1 = ±2𝑖 and 𝜔2 = ± 2√6 𝑖 . Corresponding
eigenvectors are
1 2
𝐱𝟏 = [ ] and 𝐱𝟐 = [ ] (6)
2 −1
From (3) we thus obtain
𝐱𝟏 𝑒 ±2𝑖𝑡 = 𝐱𝟏 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 ± 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑡)

𝐱𝟐 𝑒 ±2√6𝑖𝑡 = 𝐱𝟐 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2√6 𝑡 ± 𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2√6 𝑡)

By addition and subtraction, we get
𝐱𝟏 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡, 𝐱𝟏 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑡, 𝐱𝟐 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2√6 𝑡 , 𝐱𝟐 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2√6 𝑡
A general solution is
y= 𝐱𝟏 (𝑎1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑏1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑡) + 𝐱𝟐 (𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2√6 𝑡 +
𝑏2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2√6 𝑡) with arbitrary constants 𝑎1 , 𝑏1 , 𝑎2 , 𝑏2 .
Figure 3. Masses on springs
By (6) y1 = 𝑎1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 𝑏1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑡 + 2𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2√6 𝑡 +
y1′′ = −20y1 + 8y2
2𝑏2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2√6 𝑡
(1)
y2′′ = 8y1 − 8y2 y2 = 2𝑎1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑡 + 2𝑏1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2𝑡 − 𝑎2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2√6 𝑡 −
𝑏2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2√6 𝑡
where y1 and y2 are the displacements of masses from rest, as
shown in figure (3), y1 and y2 primes denote derivatives with 3. CONCLUSION
respect to time t.
We had presented the usage of eigenvalues and eigenvectors to
y′′ −20 8 y1 solve some engineering problems. There are many applications
y ′′ = [ y1′′] = 𝐀y = [ ][ ] (2)
2 8 −8 y2 of eigenvalues and eigenvectors in various fields of engineering
We try a vector solution of the form and sciences which will be discussed later.

y = 𝐱 𝑒 𝜔𝑡 (3) 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
y′ = 𝜔𝐱 𝑒 𝜔𝑡 First, the authors would like to acknowledge the support of the
papers for their references. The authors are deeply grateful to
y′′ = 𝜔2 𝐱 𝑒 𝜔𝑡 their adorable benefactor parents and teachers who gave their
Substitution into (2) 𝜔2 𝐱 𝑒 𝜔𝑡 = 𝐀 𝐱 𝑒 𝜔𝑡 knowledge, useful discussions, powerful encouragement,
invaluable suggestions and interest help through their life.
𝐀𝐱=λ𝐱 where λ = 𝜔2 (4)
−20 8
5. REFERENCES
𝐀=[ ]
8 −8 [1] Keryszig. E. Advanced engineering mathematics.
−20 8 𝑥1
𝐀𝐱=[ ] [ ] = λ [𝑥𝑥1] John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1999.
8 −8 𝑥2 2
[2] Chatelin. F. Eigenvalues of Matrices. New York,
In components,
Wiley-intersciences,1993.
−20𝑥1 + 8𝑥2 = 𝜆𝑥1
[3] James. G. Modern Engineering Mathematics.
8𝑥1 − 8𝑥2 = 𝜆𝑥2
Pearson Education Limited, 2007.
Transferring the terms on the right to the left, we get
[4] Anton. H. and Busby. RC. Contemporary Linear Algebra.
(−20 − λ)𝑥1 + 8𝑥2 = 0
John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2003.
8𝑥1 + (−8 − λ)𝑥2 = 0 (5)
(𝐀 − λI)𝐱 = 0

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