‘r9n016
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1 Analytic Geometry
“a
2 Instantaneous Rate of
‘Change: The Derivative
“
3 Rules for Finding
Derivatives
4 Transcendental Functions
5 Curve Sketching
6 Applications of the
Derivative
“ua
‘TIntegration
“4
8 Techniques of Integration
9 Applications of Integration
“au
10 Polar Coordinates,
Parametric Equations
11 Sequences and Series
12, Three Dimensions
13 Vector Functions
14 Partial Differentiation
15 Multiple Integration
16 Vector Calculus
Da aw
17 Differential Equations
1, First Order Differential
Equations
2, First Order Homogeneous
Linear Equations
3. First Order Linear Equations
4, Approximation
5, Second Order Homogeneous
Equations
6, Second Order Linear Equations
7, Second Order Linear Equations,
take two
18 Useful formulas =
17.3 Fest Order Linear Equations
Home » Differential Equations » First Order Linear Equations
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17.3 First Order Linear
Equations
[Jump to exercise
‘As you might guess, a first order linear differential equation has the form
4 + p(t)y = f(t). Not only is this closely related in form to the first order
homogeneous linear equation, we can use what we know about solving
homogeneous equations to solve the general linear equation.
Suppose that y;(t) and y(t) are solutions to 3 + p(t)y = f(t). Let
g(t) = yi ~ ya. Then
g(t) + Plat) = vf — ¥5 + PLE) — v2)
= (yj + pyr) — (os + p(y)
=H - sO =0.
In other words, g(t) = y1 — ys is a solution to the homogeneous equation
4 + plt)y = 0. Turing this around, any solution to the linear equation
Y + vlt)y = f(t), call it ys, can be written as yp + g(t), for some particular yp
and some solution g(t) of the homogeneous equation y + p(t)y = 0. Since we
already know how to find all solutions of the homogeneous equation, finding
just one solution to the equation y + p(t)y = f(t) will give us all of them.
How might we find that one particular solution to 3 + p(t)y = f(t)? Again, it
turns out that what we already know helps. We know that the general solution
to the homogeneous equation y + p(t)y = 0 looks like Ae? , We now make
an inspired guess: consider the function v(¢)e", in which we have replaced
the constant parameter A with the function v(t). This technique is called
variation of parameters. For convenience write this as s(t) = v(t)h(t) where
A(t) = e?'4 is a solution to the homogeneous equation, Now let's compute a
bit with s(¢):
s'(t) + p(t)s(t) = v(t)h'(t) + v'(t)h(t) + p(tu(t)r(e)
= v(t)('(t) + POA) + VEYA
i (t)h(t).
The last equality is true because h(t) + p(t)A(t) = 0, since A(t) is a solution
to the homogeneous equation. We are hoping to find a function s(t) so that
s(t) + p(t)s(t) = F(t); we will have such a function if we can arrange to
Fipsuhwenw wtitman edulmathematcslalculus_erlinelsectont7 0am us‘r9n016
————~
Collapse menu
1 Analytic Geometry =
“
2 Instantaneous Rate of
‘Change: The Derivative
“
3 Rules for Finding
Derivatives
4 Transcendental Functions
5 Curve Sketching
6 Applications of the
Derivative
“ua
‘TIntegration
8 Techniques of Integration
9 Applications of Integration
wana
10 Polar Coordinates,
Parametric Equations
11 Sequences and Series
12, Three Dimensions
13 Vector Functions
14 Partial Differentiation
15 Multiple Integration
16 Vector Calculus
Da aw
17 Differential Equations
1, First Order Differential
Equations
2, First Order Homogeneous
Linear Equations
3. First Order Linear Equations
4, Approximation
5, Second Order Homogeneous
Equations
6, Second Order Linear Equations
7, Second Order Linear Equations,
take two
18 Useful formulas =
{17 Fiest Order Linear Eaton
have v'(t)A(t) = f(C), that is, w(t) = f(t) /A(t). But this is as easy, aap
as finding an anti-derivative of f(t)/A(¢). Putting this all together, the genet
solution to 9 + p(t)y = f(t) is
v(t)a(t) + Ae? = v(t)e" + Ae?
e,
Example 17.3.1 Find the solution of the initial value problem y + 3y/
y(1) = 1/2. First we find the general solution; since we are interested in a
solution with a given condition at t = 1, we may assume t > 0. We start by
solving the homogencous equation as usual; call the solution g:
= Ae JONES Ae = AEs,
‘Then as in the discussion, h(t) = ¢ * and v'(t) = B/t * = 18,50
u(t) = t°/6. We know that every solution to the equation looks like
6 3
v(t? + At = 5 Fars = oat
Finally we substitute to find A:
1_ (ys -s_ 1
gap tay = gta
11 1
A= 2-G73
‘The solution is then
Here is an alternate method for finding a particular solution to the differential
equation, using an integrating factor. In the differential equation
+ p(t)y = f(¢), we note that if we multiply through by a function I(2) to get
L(y + [p(y = I(0) f(0), the left hand side looks like it could be a
derivative computed by the product rule:
a war
gly) = Toy + T'(Oy.
Now if we could choose I(t) so that I’ (t) = I(t)p(t), this would be exactly
the left hand side of the differential equation. But this is just a first order
U0) where
homogeneous linear equation, and we know a solution is Z(t)
a) = [ ‘pdt; note that Q(t) = —P(¢), where P(t) appears in the variation
of parameters method and P’(t) = —p. Now the modified differential equation
is
Fipsuhwenw wtitman edulmathematcslalculus_erlinelsectont7 0am 8‘r9n016
————~
Collapse menu
1 Analytic Geometry =
“
2 Instantaneous Rate of
‘Change: The Derivative
“
3 Rules for Finding
Derivatives
4 Transcendental Functions
5 Curve Sketching
6 Applications of the
Derivative
“ua
‘TIntegration
8 Techniques of Integration
9 Applications of Integration
wana
10 Polar Coordinates,
Parametric Equations
11 Sequences and Series
12, Three Dimensions
13 Vector Functions
14 Partial Differentiation
15 Multiple Integration
16 Vector Calculus
Da aw
17 Differential Equations
1, First Order Differential
Equations
2, First Order Homogeneous
Linear Equations
3. First Order Linear Equations
4, Approximation
5, Second Order Homogeneous
Equations
6, Second Order Linear Equations
7, Second Order Linear Equations,
take two
18 Useful formulas =
17.3 Fest Order Linear Equations
e Myre Mplty=e F(t)
d Pw, -P() bled
Gee Pu) = PFO)
Integrating both sides gives
ey = fereroa
yer) fer fl) at
Ifyou look carefully, you will see that this is exactly the same solution we
found by variation of parameters, because e~"") f(t) = f(t)/h(t).
‘Some people find it easier to remember how to use the integrating factor
‘method than variation of parameters. Since ultimately they require the same
calculation, you should use whichever of the two you find easier to recall.
Using this method, the solution of the previous example would look just a bit
different: Starting with y + 3y/t = t?, we recall that the integrating factor is
efit — ¢3™¢ _ 48. Then we multiply through by the integrating factor and
solve:
ty + 83y/t =e?
By Psy
d
qeyae
by = /6
3/6.
y=
This is the same answer, of course, and the problem is then finished just as
before.
Exercises 17.3
In problems 1-10, find the general solution of the equation.
Ex 17.3.1 9 + 4y = 8 (answer)
Ex 173.2 — 2y = 6 (answer)
Ex 17.3.3 y + ty = 5¢ (answer)
Ex 17.3.4 y + e'y = —2e! (answer)
Ex 17.359 —y =? (answer)
Fipsuhwenw wtitman edulmathematcslalculus_erlinelsectont7 0am aa‘r9n016
OO
Collapse menu
1 Analytic Geometry =
“
2 Instantaneous Rate of
‘Change: The Derivative
3 Rules for Finding
Deri
“
4 Transcendental Functions
5 Curve Sketching
6 Applications of the
Derivative
“ua
‘TIntegration
8 Techniques of Integration
9 Applications of Integration
10 Polar Coordinates,
Parametric Equations
wana
11 Sequences and Series
12, Three Dimensions
13 Vector Functions
14 Partial Differentiation
15 Multiple Integration
16 Vector Calculus
Da aw
17 Differential Equations
1, First Order Differential
Equations
2, First Order Homogeneous
Linear Equations
3. First Order Linear Equations
4, Approximation
5. Second Order Homogeneous
Equations
6, Second Order Linear Equations
7, Second Order Linear Equations,
take two
18 Useful formulas =
17.3 Fest Order Linear Equations
Ex 17.3.6 2y +y = ¢ (answer) «=
Ex 173.7 ty — 2y = 1/t,t > 0 (answex)
Ex 17.3.8 ty + y = vi,t > 0 (answer)
Ex 17.3.9 9 cost + ysint = 1, —n/2 < t < 1/2 (answer)
Ex 173.10 y + ysect = tant, —n/2