Find the general solution to the second order differential equation x'' - 2x' + x = e^(2t).

Firstly, note that the question only asks for the general solution (G.S.) to the equation, not for the whole solution. Now we have established what we need to find, construct the auxiliary equation. For this ODE, it will be k^2 - 2kx + 1 = 0. Solving this auxiliary equation, we find we have (k - 1)^2 = 0 and a repeated root solution of k = 1. Now, the form of the G.S. for repeated roots is (A + Bt)e^(kt) and substituting our value for k, we find the general solution for this ODE is x = (A + Bt)e^(t).

AB

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you differentiate x^x?


Prove that 27(23^n)+17(10^2n)+22n is divisible by 11 for n belongs to the natural numbers


A tank contains 500L of salty water. Pure water is pumped in at a rate of 10 L/sec, and the the mixture is pumped out at a rate of 15L/ sec. If the concentration of salt is 5g/L initially, form an equation of amount of salt, s, at t seconds.


How do I draw any graph my looking at its equation?