J.M.J.

PHYS 112 Seatwork

September 28, 2020

Submitted by Alessandra Molo

1. Hanging Cable (Section 2.1, Number 12)

Reducing the given second-order equation to first order:

Let z = y0 and z0 = y00

p dz p dz
z0 = 1 + z 2 =⇒ = 1 + z 2 =⇒ dx = √
dx 1 + z2
Z Z
dz
dx = √
1 + z2
x + C1 = arcsinh(z) =⇒ z = sinh x + C1 0
dy
y0 = sinh x + c1 =⇒ = sinh x + C1 =⇒ dy = sinh x + C1 dx
dx
Z Z
dy = sinh x + C1 dx

y = cosh x + C1 + C2

Plugging in the given points at (-1, 0) and (1, 0):

0 = cosh −1 + C1 + C2 and 0 = cosh 1 + C1 + C2
In order for both equations to be true, C1 must be 0. If C1 = 0, C2 = − cosh 1.
Therefore, the solution to the given second-order differential equation is y = cosh x − cosh 1

Graph of the cable with ends at (-1, 0) and (1,0)

1
 PHYS 112 Seatwork J.M.J.

2. 4x2 y00 − 3y = 0, y(1) = −3, y0(1) = 0 (Section 2.1, Number 17)

In order to verify the linear independence of solutions, the ratio of the given solutions must be computed:
3
x2
= x2 6= constant
x−12

Solution to the IVP:

3 3
y = C1 x 2 + C2 x 2
3C1 1 C2 −3
y0 = x2 − x2
2 2
y(1) = −3 = C1 + C2 =⇒ C2 = −3 − C1
3C1 1 C1 −3 3C1 1 −3 − C1 −3
y 0 (1) = 0 = x2 − x2 = x2 − = 4C1 + 3 =⇒ C1 =
2 2 2 2 4
−3 −9
−3 = + C2 =⇒ C2 =
4 4
−3 3 9 −12
y= x2 − x
4 4

3. Find a general solution to y00 + y0 + 3.25y = 0 (Section 2.2, Number 8)

Characteristic equation of the given: λ2 + λ + 3.25 = 0

Using the quadratic formula to find the roots of the characteristic equation:
p √ √
−1 ± 1 − 4(3.25) −1 ± 12i −1 ± 2 3i
λ= = =
2 2 2
√ √
Roots of the characteristic equation: λ1 = −1+2 3i
2 √ , λ2 =
−1−2 3i
1
√ 1
2
Roots of the ODE: λ1 = − 2 + i 3, λ2 = − 2 − i 3
−x √ √
y = e 2 (C1 cos 3x + C2 sin 3x)

2
 PHYS 112 Seatwork J.M.J.

4. Find an ODE for the basis y00 + ay0 + by = 0 (Section 2.2, Number 16)

Given that e2.6x and e−4.3x are solutions to the ODE, λ1 = 2.6, and λ2 = −4.3
p(λ) = (λ − 2.6)(λ + 4.3) = λ2 + 1.72λ − 11.18
Final ODE: y00 + 1.7y0 − 11.18y = 0

5. IVP: y00 + y0 − 6y = 0, y(0) = 10, y0(0) = 0 (Section 2.2, Number 23)

Characteristic equation: λ2 + λ − 6 = 0 √
−1± 1−4(−6)2
Using the quadratic formula to find the roots: λ = 2 = −125
2 = −1±5
2 =⇒ λ1 = 2, λ2 = −3
2t −3t
y = C1 e + C2 e , y(0) = 10 = C1 + C2 =⇒ C1 = 10 − C2
y0 = 2C1 e2t − 3C2 e−3t , y0(0) = 0 = 2C1 − 3C2 = 2(10 − C2 ) − 3C2 =⇒ C2 = 4, 10 = C1 + 4 =⇒ C1 = 6
Final equation: y = 6e2t + 4e−3t

6. (D2 − 4.20D + 4.41I)y = 0 (Section 2.3, Number 9)

√
4.20± 4.202 −4(4.41) 4.20
Using the quadratic formula to factor the given equation: 2 = 2 = 2.10
Converting the factored form of the equation to an ODE:

(D − 2.10I)(D − 2.10I)y = 0

(D − 2.10I)(Dy + 2.10y) = 0
(D + 2.10I)(y0 + 2.10y)
y00 + 4.20y0 + 4.41y = 0