Part I. Find the solution of each differential equation (DE).

′′ ′
1. y + 3y + 2y = 6

Solution:

′′ ′
For the homogeneous case y + 3y + 2y = 0 of the given equation, the auxiliary
equation is given by m2 + 3m + 2 = 0. Solving for the roots of this, we have

m2 + 3m + 2 = 0 =⇒ (m + 2)(m + 1) = 0 =⇒ m1 = −2 and m2 = −1.

Thus, the complementary solution is

yc (x) = C1 e−2x + C2 e−x .

Now, to find the particular solution, we assume that yp (x) = A since the right-hand
side is a constant function 6.Taking the first and second derivatives, we have

yp (x) = A
′
yp (x) = 0
′′
yp (x) = 0

Substituting these derivatives into the DE:

′′ ′
y + 3y + 2y = 6
(0) + 3(0) + 2(A) = 6
2A = 6
A=3

Hence, the particular solution is yp (x) = 3.Finally, the general solution is given by

y(x) = yc (x) + yp (x)

y(x) = C1 e−2x + C2 e−x + 3.

′′
2. y + y = cos2 x

Solution:

′′ ′
For the homogeneous case y + y = 0 of the given equation, the auxiliary equation
is given by m2 + 1 = 0. Solving for the roots of this, we have

m2 + 1 = 0 =⇒ m2 = −1 =⇒ m1 = i and m2 = −i.

1
The roots are of the form m = α±βi where α = 0 and β = 1. Thus, complementary
solution is

yc (x) = eαx (C1 cos βx + C2 sin βx)

yc (x) = e0x (C1 cos 1x + C2 sin 1x)
yc (x) = C1 cos x + C2 sin x

To find the particular solution, observe first that the right-hand side of the equation
can be expressed as
1 1
cos 2x = 2 cos2 −1 =⇒ 2 cos2 = cos 2x + 1 =⇒ cos2 x = cos 2x + .
2 2
Now, we assume that the particular solution can be written as

yp (x) = A cos 2x + B sin 2x + C.

Taking the first and second derivatives, we have

yp (x) = A cos 2x + B sin 2x + C

′
yp (x) = −2A sin 2x + 2B cos 2x
′′
yp (x) = −4A cos 2x − 4B sin 2x

Substituting these derivatives into the equation, we have

′′
y (x) + y(x) = cos2 x
cos 2x 1
−4A cos 2x − 4B sin 2x − 2A sin 2x + 2B cos 2x = +
2 2
cos 2x 1
−3A cos 2x − 3B sin 2x + C = +
2 2
1
Equating the corresponding coefficients of both sides, we have −3A = which
2
1 1
implies that A = − , −3B = 0 implying that B = 0, and C = . Hence the
6 2
particular solution is given by

yp (x) = A cos 2x + B sin 2x + C

 
1 1
yp (x) = − cos 2x + (0) sin 2x +
6 2
1 1
yp (x) = − cos 2x +
6 2
Finally, the general solution of is given by

y(x) = yc (x) + yp (x)

1 1
y(x) = C1 cos x + C2 sin x − cos 2x + .
6 2

2
 ′′ ′ ′
3. y − 4y + 4y = (12x2 − 6x) e2x ; y(0) = 1, y = 0

Solution:

′′ ′
For the homogeneous case y − 4y + 4y = 0 of the given equation, the auxiliary
equation is given by m2 − 4m + 4 = 0. Solving for the roots of this, we have

m2 − 4m + 4 = 0 =⇒ (m − 2)2 = 0 =⇒ m1 = 2 and m2 = 2.

We obtain repeated roots and thus, the complementary solution is

yc (x) = C1 e2x + C2 xe2x .

For the particular solution, initially we will consider the form

yp (x) = e2x Ax2 + Bx + C

to match the form of the right side of the nonhomogeneous equation. However,
since the terms Bxe2x + Ce2x duplicates C1 e2x + C2 xe2x from yc (x), we multiply
all the terms by x2 to eradicate duplication. Now, the particular solution is of the
form

yp (x) = e2x Ax2 + Bx + C (x2 )

yp (x) = e2x Ax4 + Bx3 + Cx2

Taking the first and second derivatives, we have

yp (x) = e2x Ax4 + Bx3 + Cx2

′
yp (x) = 2e2x Ax4 + Bx3 + Cx2 + e2x 4Ax3 + 3Bx2 + 2Cx



′
yp (x) = e2x 2Ax4 + (2B + 4A)x3 + (2C + 3B)x2 + 2Cx
 
′′
yp (x) = 2e2x 2Ax4 + (2B + 4A)x3 + (2C + 3B)x2 + 2Cx
 

+ e2x 8Ax3 + (6B + 12A)x2 + (4C + 6B)x + 2C

 
′′
yp (x) = e2x 4Ax4 + (16A + 4B)x3 + (12A + 12B + 4C)x2 + (6B + 8C)x + 2C
 

Observe that
′′
yp (x) = e2x 4Ax4 + (16A + 4B)x3 + (12A + 12B + 4C)x2 + (6B + 8C)x + 2C
 
′
−4yp (x) = −4e2x 2Ax4 + (2B + 4A)x3 + (2C + 3B)x2 + 2Cx
 

4yp (x) = 4e2x Ax4 + Bx3 + Cx2

Hence,
′′ ′
yp (x) − 4yp (x) + 4yp (x) = e2x [(4A − 8A + 4A)x4 + (16A + 4B − 8B − 16A + 4B)x3
+ (12A + 12B + 4C − 8C − 12B + 4C)x2
+ (6B + 8C − 8C)x + 2C]
′′ ′
yp (x) − 4yp (x) + 4yp (x) = e2x 12Ax2 + 6B + 2C .

3
Equating this to the right hand side of the differential equation, we obtain
′′ ′
yp (x) − 4yp (x) + 4yp (x) = 12x2 − 6x e2x

e2x 12Ax2 + 6B + 2C = 12x2 − 6x e2x

12Ax2 + 6B + 2C = 12x2 − 6x

This means that 12A = 12 implying that A = 1, 6B = −6 implying that B = −1,

and 2C = 0 implying that C = 0. Consequently, the particular solution is

yp (x) = e2x Ax4 + Bx3 + Cx2

yp (x) = e2x (1)x4 + (−1)x3 + (0)x2

 

yp (x) = x4 e2x − x3 e2x

Finally, the general solution of the differential equation is given by

y(x) = yc (x) + yp (x)

y(x) = C1 e2x + C2 xe2x + x4 e2x − x3 e2x

′
Moreover, using the initial conditions y(0) = 1 and y (0) = 0 to find C1 and C2 , we
obtain the following:
For y(0) = 1,

y(0) = C1 e2(0) + C2 (0)e2(0) + (0)4 e2(0) − (0)3 e2(0) =⇒ C1 = 1.

′
For y (0) = 0,
′
y (x) = e2x 2C1 + C2 + 2C2 x + 4x3 + 2x4 − 3x2 − 2x3


′
y (0) = e2(0) 2C1 + C2 + 2C2 (0) + 4(0)3 + 2(0)4 − 3(0)2 − 2(0)3
 

0 = 2C1 + C2
C2 = −2C1
C2 = −2(1)
C2 = −2

Finally, the solution to the differential equation given with the initial conditions is

y(x) = e2x − 2xe2x + x4 e2x − x3 e2x .

4
 ′′ ′ ′
4. 2y + 3y − 2y = 14x2 − 4x − 11 ; y(0) = 0, y (0) = 0

Solution:

′′ ′
For the homogeneous case 2y + 3y − 2y = 0 of the given equation, the auxiliary
equation is given by 2m2 + 3m − 2 = 0. Solving for the roots of this, we have
1
2m2 + 3m − 2 = 0 =⇒ (2m − 1)(m + 2) = 0 =⇒ m1 = and m2 = −2.
2
the complementary solution is
1
yc (x) = C1 e 2 x + C2 e−2x .

For the particular solution, we consider yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx + C to match the form
of the right-hand side. Taking the first and second derivatives, we have

yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx + C
′
yp (x) = 2Ax + B
′′
yp (x) = 2A

Substituting these derivatives into the DE:

′′ ′
2yp (x) + 3yp (x) − 2yp (x) = 14x2 − 4x − 11
2(2A) + 3 (2Ax + B) − 2 Ax2 + Bx + C = 14x2 − 4x − 11

−2Ax2 + (6A − 2B)x + (4A + 3B − 2C) = 14x2 − 4x − 11.

Correspondingly, −2A = 14 which implies that A = −7, 6A − 2B = −4 which

implies that B = −19, and 4A + 3B − 2C = −11 which implies that C = −37.
Hence, the particular solution is

yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx + C
yp (x) = (−7)x2 + (−19)x + (−37)
yp (x) = −7x2 − 19x − 37.

Thus, the general solution of the differential equation is

y(x) = yc (x) + yp (x)

1
y(x) = C1 e 2 x + C2 e−2x − 7x2 − 19x − 37.
′
Moreover, using the initial conditions y(0) = 0 and y (0) = 0 to find C1 and C2 , we
obtain the following:
For y(0) = 0,
1
y(0) = C1 e 2 (0) + C2 e−2(0) − 7(0)2 − 19(0) − 37
0 = C1 + C2 − 37
C1 + C2 = 37

5
 ′
For y (0) = 0,
′ 1 1
y (x) = C1 e 2 x − 2C2 e−2x − 14x − 19
2
1
′ 1 (0)
y (0) = C1 e 2 − 2C2 e−2(0) − 14(0) − 19
2
1
0 = C1 − 2C2 − 19
2
C1 − 4C2 = 38
1
Solving for C1 and C2 from C1 + C2 = 37 and C1 − 4C2 = 38, we obtain C1 = −
5
186
and C2 = . Finally, the solution to the differential equation given with the
5
initial conditions is
186 1 x 1 −2x
y(x) = e2 − e − 7x2 − 19x − 37.
5 5

′′ ′ ′
5. 5y + y = −6x ; y(0) = 0, y (0) = −10

Solution:

′′ ′
For the homogeneous case 5y + y = 0 of the given equation, the auxiliary equation
is given by 5m2 + m = 0. Solving for the roots of this, we have
1
5m2 + m = 0 =⇒ m(5m + 1) = 0 =⇒ m1 = 0 and m2 = − .
5
the complementary solution is
1 1
yc (x) = C1 e0x + C2 e− 5 x = C1 + C2 e− 5 x .
For the particular solution, we assume that yp (x) = Ax + B to match the form
of the right-hand side. However, since the term B from yp (x) duplicates C1 from
yc (x), we must multiply all the terms by x to eradicate duplication. This means
that the particular solution will be of the form
yp (x) = (Ax + B) (x) =⇒ yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx.
Taking the first and second derivatives, we obtain
yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx
′
yp (x) = 2Ax + B
′′
yp (x) = 2A
Substituting these derivatives into the differential equation, we have
′′ ′
5yp (x) + yp (x) = −6x
5 (2A) + 2Ax + B = −6x
2Ax + (10A + B) = −6x

6
This means that by equating the corresponding coefficients of the differential equa-
tion, we obtain 2A = −6 implying that A = −3 and 10A + B = 0 implying that
B = 30. Hence, the particular solution is

yp (x) = Ax2 + Bx
yp (x) = (−3)x2 + (30)x
yp (x) = −3x2 + 30x.

Thus, the general solution of is given by

1
y(x) = yc (x) + yp (x) = C1 + C2 e− 5 x − 3x2 + 30x.
′
Moreover, using the initial conditions y(0) = 0 and y (0) = −10 to find C1 and C2 ,
we obtain the following:
For y(0) = 0,
1
y(0) = C1 + C2 e− 5 (0) − 3(0)2 + 30(0) =⇒ C1 + C2 = 0.
′
For y (0) = −10,

′ 1 1
y (0) = − C2 e− 5 x − 6x + 30
5
1 1
−10 = − C2 e− 5 (0) − 6(0) + 30
5
1
−10 = − C2 + 30
5
−50 = C2 + 150
C2 = 200.

Consequently, since C1 + C2 = 0, this means that C1 = −200. Therefore, the

solution to the differential equation with the given initial conditions is
1
y(x) = −200 + 200e− 5 x − 3x2 + 30x.

7
Part II. Problem Solving

Problem 1 : A mass of 1 slug is suspended from a spring whose spring constant is

9 lb/ft. The mass is initially released
√ from a point 1 foot above the equilibrium
position with an upward velocity of 3 ft/s. Find the times for which the mass is
heading downward at a velocity of 3 ft/s.

Solution:

Let m be the mass attached and let k be the spring constant. The Newton’s second
law for the system is given by

d2 x
m 2 = −kx
dt
d2 x
m 2 + kx = 0
dt
d2 x kx
+ =0
dt2 m
If we put m = 1 slug and k = 9 lb/ft into the differential equation, it becomes

d2 x 9x d2 x
+ =0 =⇒ + 9x = 0.
dt2 1 dt2
We can express this into its corresponding characteristic equation as m2 + 9 = 0.
Solving this characteristic equation gives us the roots

m2 + 9 = 0 =⇒ m2 = −9 =⇒ m1 = 3i and m2 = −3i.

The roots are complex numbers and of the form m = α ± β where α = 0 and β = 3.
Hence, the general solution of the equation x(t) which is the displacement from the
equilibrium position, is given by

x(t) = eαt [C1 cos βt + C2 sin βt]

x(t) = e0t [C1 cos 3t + C2 sin 3t]
x(t) = C1 cos 3t + C2 sin 3t
′ √
From the initial conditions, x(0) = −1 (ft) and x (0) = − 3 (ft/s). Differentiating
x(t), we have
′
x (t) = −3C1 sin 3t + 3C2 cos 3t.
Using the initial conditions to find C1 and C2 , we have:
For x(0) = −1,

x(t) = C1 cos 3t + C2 sin 3t

x(0) = C1 cos 3(0) + C2 sin 3(0)
−1 = C1

8
 ′ √
For x (0) = − 3,
′
x (t) = −3C1 sin 3t + 3C2 cos 3t
′
x (0) = −3C1 sin 3(0) + 3C2 cos 3(0)
√
− 3 = 3C2
√
3
C2 = −
3
The solution to the differential equation with the given initial conditions is

x(t) = C1 cos 3t + C2 sin 3t

√ !
3
x(t) = (−1) cos 3t + − sin 3t
3
√
3
x(t) = − cos 3t − sin 3t
3
Transforming the equation of motion into a simpler form x(t) = A sin (βt + ϕ)
where β = 3, we have
For A:
√ !2 √
v
u
3 2 3
q u
A= C12 + C22 = t(−1)2 + − = .
3 3

For ϕ:
C1 −1 √ √ π
tan ϕ = = √ = 3 =⇒ ϕ = tan−1 3= .
C2 3 3
−
3
π 4π
Since tan ϕ > 0, ϕ is in the third quadrant. So, ϕ = + π = . The simpler form
3 3
of the equation of motion can be seen as
√  
2 3 4π
x(t) = A sin (βt + ϕ) = sin 3t + .
3 3

Obtaining the derivative of x(t) where v(t) is the time-derivative of position x(t),
we have
√ !  
′ 2 3 4π
x (t) = v(t) = 3
cos 3t +
3
3
√
 
4π
v(t) = 2 3 cos 3t +
3
√
 
4π
v(t) = 2 3 cos 3t +
3

9
Now, solving for the times when v(t) = 3 ft/s, consider the following:
Given v(t) = 3,

v(t) = 3
√
 
4π
2 3 cos 3t + =3
3
  √
4π 3
cos 3t + =
3 2
4π π
3t + = ± + 2nπ
3 6
π 4π
3t = ± + 2nπ −
6 3
π 2nπ 4π
t=± + −
18 3 9

π 2nπ 4π π 2nπ 4π
t1 = + − and t2 = − + −
18 3 9 18 3 9
The times for which mass is heading downward at a velocity of 3 ft/s are

7π 2nπ π 2nπ
t1 = − + and t2 = − +
18 3 2 3

where n is an integer.

10
Problem 2 : From the given circuit below, determine the following:

a. The differential equation (DE) for capacitor voltage vc .

Solution:

Given:
Resistance (R) = 40 Ω
Inductance (L) = 100 mH
1
Capacitance (C) = mF
3
Note:
VR = terminal voltage of R, vc = capacitor voltage
dvc diL
C = capacitor current, L = inductor voltage
dt dt

KCL at point B:
dvc
iL = C (1)
dt
KCL at node A:
VR
+ iL − is = 0
R
VR
+ iL = is
R
Using eqn. 1, we get:
VR dvc
+C = is (2)
R dt

11
KVL at loop 1:
diL
−VR + L + vc = 0
dt
diL
VR = L + vc (3)
dt
Using eqn. 1, we differentiate both sides:
dvc
iL = C
dt
 
d d dvc
(iL ) = C
dt dt dt
diL d2 vc
=C 2 (4)
dt dt
Now, we substitute eqn. 4 to eqn. 3:
diL
VR = L + vc
dt
d2 v c
 
= L C 2 + vc
dt
d2 vc
VR = LC + vc (5)
dt2
Then substitute eqn. 5 to eqn. 2. Now, we have:
VR dvc
+C = is
R dt
d2 vc
 
LC 2 + vc
dt dvc
+C = is
R dt
d2 vc
LC 2
dt + vc + C dvc = i
s
R R dt
LC d2 vc dvc vc
2
+C + = is
R dt dt R
Substituting the values of R, L, and C:
LC d2 vc dvc vc
2
+C + = is
R dt dt R
1
(100 × 10−3 )( × 10−3 ) d2 v 1 dvc vc
3 c
+ ( × 10−3 ) + = is
(40) dt 2 3 dt (40)

12
We now have the DE for vc :

1 d2 v c 1 dvc 1
+ + vc = is
1.2 × 106 dt2 3000 dt 40

b. The characteristic equation and its roots.

Solution:

Using the DE for vc , we can extract the characteristic equation. Setting the right-
hand side of the equation to zero, we get:

1 d2 v c 1 dvc 1
6 2
+ + vc = is
1.2 × 10 dt 3000 dt 40

1 1 1
6
r2 + r+ =0
1.2 × 10 3000 40
The characteristic equation is a quadratic equation and by solving it, will give us
the roots:
(r + 100)(r + 300) = 0
r1 = −100 , r2 = −300

c. The solution of the differential equation when is = sin t subject to the initial
′
conditions v(0) = 1 and v (0) = 0.

Solution:

By the roots r1 and r2 the general solution of the homogeneous ODE is:

vh (t) = C1 er1 t + C2 er2 t

vh (t) = C1 e−100t + C2 e−300t

Now, to find the particular solution, we consider

vp (t) = A cos t + B sin t

since the right-hand side is a trigonometric function sin t.

Taking the derivatives:

vp (t) = A cos t + B sin t

′
vp (t) = −A sin t + B cos t
′′
vp (t) = −A cos t − B sin t

13
Substituting these derivatives into the DE:

1 d2 vc 1 dvc 1
6 2
+ + vc = is
1.2 × 10 dt 3000 dt 40
′′ ′
vc vc vc
6
+ + = sin t
1.2 × 10 3000 40
(−A cos t − B sin t) (−A sin t + B cos t) (A cos t + B sin t)
+ + = sin t
1.2 × 106 3000 40
Equating coefficients of like terms gives us:
B A B
− 6
sin t − sin t + sin t = sin t
1.2 × 10 3000 40

A
− + 0.025B = 1
3000
A
0.025B = 1 +
3000
A
B = 40 +
75
A B A
− 6
cos t + cos t + cos t = 0
1.2 × 10 3000 40

B
+ 0.025A = 0
3000
B
0.025A = −
3000
B
A=−
75
 
A
40 +
75
A=−
75
A ≈ −0.5555
A
B = 40 +
75
(−0.5555)
B = 40 +
75
B ≈ 39.9926

Therefore, the particular solution is

vp (t) = A cos t + B sin t

vp (t) = (−0.5555) cos t + (39.9926) sin t
vp (t) = −0.5555 cos t + 39.9926 sin t

14
The general solution of the DE is given by

vc (t) = vh (t) + vp (t)

vc (t) = C1 e−100t + C2 e−300t − 0.5555 cos t + 39.9926 sin t
′
Using the initial conditions v(0) = 1, v = 0 to find C1 and C2 :

Given v(0) = 1: [v(t) = vc (t)]

vc (t) = C1 e−100t + C2 e−300t − 0.5555 cos t + 39.9926 sin t

vc (0) = C1 e−100(0) + C2 e−300(0) − 0.5555 cos(0) + 39.9926 sin(0)
1 = C1 + C2 − 0.5555
C2 = 1.5555 − C1

′
Given v (0) = 0:
′
v (t) = −100C1 e−100t − 300C2 e−300t + 0.5555 sin t + 39.9926 cos t
′
v (0) = −100C1 e−100(0) − 300C2 e−300(0) + 0.5555 sin(0) + 39.9926 cos(0)
0 = −100C1 − 300C2 + 39.9926
100C1 = −300C2 + 39.9926
C1 = −3C2 + 0.40
C1 = −3(1.5555 − C1 ) + 0.40
C1 ≈ 2.1333
C2 = 1.5555 − C1
= 1.5555 − (2.1333)
C2 ≈ −0.5778

Therefore, the solution to the DE with the given initial conditions is:

vc (t) = 2.1333e−100t − 0.5778e−300t − 0.5555 cos t + 39.9926 sin t

or

vc (t) = 2.13e−100t − 0.58e−300t − 0.56 cos t + 40 sin t

15