Homework #1: 2.087 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Spring 2014
Homework #1: 2.087 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, Spring 2014
Homework #1
Date Due: Wednesday 10 September, 2014, 9:30AM (bring hard copy to lecture)
As described in the course policies document, this is one of 5 homeworks you will
complete in this course. Each of these count as 6% of your total grade. Full credit can
generally only be earned by showing your work. This often includes making clear and well-
labeled plots.
2) (15 points) For each of the differential equations and solutions below, demonstrate that the
proposed solution satisfies the differential equation.
a. dy dt sin y t
b. y t 2 y t
c. y et y t 10
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4) (4 points) What linear differential equation dy dt a(t ) y is satisfied by y(t ) e
cos( t )
?
6) (10 points) Find the solution of dy dt 2 y 6 where y (0) 1 ? What is y ? Make its graph.
7) (10 points) Draw the function that solves y H (t T ) where y (0) 2 . Note H (t ) is the unit
step function.
8) (20 points)
a) Find the function that solves y y (t 2) where y (0) 3 . Note (t ) is the delta function.
b) Make a graph of the solution (by hand or with a computer). Comment on any features of the graph
that are notable to you.
9) (20 points) A model aircraft is pointed straight down with its engines off. At time t=0 sec, it has just
begun descent from a vertical climb maneuver and it has, momentarily, zero airspeed, V(0s)=0 m/s.
Its mass is 1.2 kg and its weight causes acceleration. To determine the effect of aerodynamic drag as
speed builds, consider the drag force is given by 1/2 r V2 S CD where its drag coefficient CD = 0.02 and
the area S is 0.22 m2 and density of the air r is the typical value for sea level about 1.3 kg/ m3. At time
t=5 sec, it deploys speed brakes so its drag coefficient changes suddenly to CD = 0.08.
a) Write a differential equation modeling the evolution of airspeed V(t) from t=0 sec to t=5 sec.
b) Find the solution to the equation in (a) satisfying the initial condition V(0s)=0 m/s and find the speed
at to t=5 sec.
e) Estimate the value of the time t when the aircraft gets to within
5% of the steady state speed after the time that speed brakes were
deployed.
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