A Collection of Problems in Ordinary Differential

Equation
Problems Given at the MAT 241 - Ordinary Differential Equation Test and
Examinations excluding numerical methods question
Department of Mathematics, University of Ibadan.

Jideofor Idika
Department of Mathematics
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.

© Draft date October 4, 2024

Problem 1. (a) Solve the difference equation

yn+1 + 16yn = 0.

(b) Find the solution of the non-homogeneous difference equation

Yn+2 − 4Yn+1 + 3Yn = 5.4n

(c) Determine the difference equation whose solution is

Yn+2 − A.2n − B(−2)n = 0

Soluiton. (a)
yn+1 + 16yn = 0 ⇐⇒ (E + 16)yn = 0 (1)
We define the characteristic equation of (1),

m + 16 = 0 ⇐⇒ m = −16 (2)

And so the solution of (1) is

yn = C1 (−16)n (3)
Where C1 is an arbitrary constant.

(b)
Yn+2 − 4Yn+1 + 3Yn = 5.4n (1)
We first consider the homogeneous part of the difference equation in (1)

Yn+2 − 4Yn+1 + 3Yn = 0 (2)

We now define the characteristics equation of the (2) as,

m2 − 4m + 3 = 0 (3)

Whose roots are 3 and 1, so that 3n and 1n = 1 are two linearly independent solutions of (2).

1
 Therefore the complimentary function is

C.F. = A(−3)n + B (4)

Where A and B are arbitrary constants. To obtain the particular solution of (1), we must see that

Yn+2 − 4Yn+1 + 3Yn ≡ (E 2 − 4E + 3)Yn ≡ (E − 1)(E − 3)Yn = 5.4n (5)

So that
1 5(4n ) 5.4n
Yn = · 5(4n ) = = (6)
(E − 1)(E − 3) (4 − 1)(4 − 3) 3
Combining 940 and (6) gives the general solution of (1)
5.4n
Yn = A(−3)n + B + (7)
3

(c)
Yn+2 − A.2n − B(−2)n = 0 (1)
Since (1) contains two arbitrary constant, we assume it is the solution of a second order difference
equation. From (1) we obtain

Yn+2 = A.2n + B(−2)n

Yn+1 = A.2n−1 + B(−2)n−1 (2)
n−2 n−2 1
Yn = A.2 + B(−2) = (A.2n + B(−2)n )
4
From which we have that,
1
Yn = Yn+2 (3)
4
And so,
Yn+2 − 4Yn = 0 (4)
is the difference equation whose solution is described in (1).

Problem 2. Compressed air is escaping from the container. The pressure of the air at time t is P and
the constant atmospheric pressure of the air outside the container is A. The rate of decrease of P is
proportional to the square root of the pressure difference (P − A).
(a) Obtain the differential equation connecting P and t,

(b) Find the general solution of this differential equation in (a),

(c) Given P = 5A when t = 0 and P = 2A when t = 2, find the value of K,

(d) Find the value of t when P = A,

(e) Obtain an expression for P in terms of A and t.

Solution. We have from the data given that
dP √
∝− P −A (1)
dt
(a) From (1) we have
dP √
= −k P − A (2)
dt
Where k is the proportionality constant.

2
(b) The differential equation described by (2) is a separable variable differential equation which we may
rewrite as, if P ̸= A
dP
√ = −kdt, P ̸= A (3)
P −A
So that Z Z
dP
√ = −k dt + c, P ̸= A (4)
P −A
Where c is an arbitrary constant. Evaluating (4) gives us
√
2 P − A = −kt + c (5)

which is the general solution of the D.E. describe.

(c) Interpreting the question to look for k, the constant of proportionality.

When t = 0, P = 5A √ √
2 5A − A = c =⇒ c=4 A (6)
When t = 2, P = 2A √ √ √
2 2A − A = −2k + 4 A =⇒ k= A (7)

(d) Substituting in (5) the value of c and k as given in (6) and (7). We obtain after simplification
√ √
2 P − A = (4 − t) A (8)

When P = A, we have √
0 = (4 − t) A (9)
since A ̸≡ 0, we have 4 − t = 0 =⇒ t = 4. Therefore at P = A we have t = 4.

(e) Take the squares of both sides in (8), we obtain

4(P − A) = (t2 − 8t + 16)A ⇐⇒ 4P = (t2 − 8t + 20)A (10)

And so,  
1 2
P = t − 2t + 5 A (11)
4

Problem 3. (a) Solve the differential equation y ′′ +y = tan x with the method of variation of parameter.

(b) Consider the non-homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficient of the form

y (n) + a1 y (n−1) + a2 y (n−2) + . . . + an−1 y ′ + an y = f (x)

where (n), (n − 1), . . . e.t.c. represents derivatives. Use the method of variation of parameter to
derive the WRONSKIAN used in solving the differential equation.

Solution. (a)
y ′′ + y = tan x (1)
The auxiliary equation of the corresponding homogeneous linear differential equation is given by

m2 + 1 = 0 (2)

The roots of this equation are ±i, so that the complimentary function is

C.F. = A sin x + B cos x (3)

3
 where A and B are arbitrary constants, so that the linearly independent solutions of (1) are sin x
and cos x. Our particular solution is of the form

yp = C1 sin x + C2 cos x (4)

where C1 and C2 are continuous functions of x. so that

yp′ = C1′ sin x + C2′ cos x + C1 cos x − C2 sin x (5)

yp′′ = (C1′ sin x + C2′ cos x) +′
C1′ cos x − C2′ sin x − C1 sin x − C2 cos x (6)

Now substituting into (1) the values of yp and yp′′ in (4) and (6), we obtain

(C1′ sin x + C2′ cos x)′ + C1′ cos x − C2′ sin x = tan x (7)

Now let,

C1′ sin x + C2′ cos x = 0, and (8)

C1′ cos x − C2′ sin x = tan x (9)

We solve for C1′ and C2′ using crammers rule

0 cos x
tan x − sin x − cos x tan x
C1′ = = = sin x (10)
sin x cos x − sin2 x − cos2 x
cos x − sin x
sin x 0
cos x tan x sin x tan x
C2′ = = (11)
sin x cos x − sin2 x − cos2 x
cos x − sin x
= − sec x sin2 x = − sec x(1 − cos2 x) (12)
= − sec x + cos x (13)

Integrating this values to obtain

Z
C1 = sin xdx = − cos x (14)
Z Z
C2 = − sec xdx + cos xdx (15)

= − log (tan x + sec x) + sin x (16)

Substituting the values of C1 and C2 in (14) and (16) into (4), we obtain

yp = − cos x sin x − cos x log (tan x + sec x) + sin x cos x

(17)
= − cos x log (tan x + sec x)

Therefore, the general solution of (1) is

y = C.F. + yp
(18)
= A sin x + B cos x − cos x log (tan x + sec x)

(b)
y (n) + a1 y (n−1) + a2 y (n−2) + . . . + an−1 y ′ + an y = f (x) (1)
Suppose we have gotten the n linearly independent solutions of the D.E. from the corresponding

4
 homogeneous linear differential equation, and let the linearly dependent solutions be y1 , y2 , . . . , yn .
So that
C.F. = A1 y1 + A2 y2 + A3 y3 + . . . + An yn (2)
where A1 , A2 , A3 , . . . , An are arbitrary constants. and the particular solution is

yp = C1 y1 + C2 y2 + C3 y3 + . . . + Cn yn (3)

Where C1 , C2 , C3 , . . . , Cn are continuous functions satisfying

C1′ y1 + C2′ y2 + C3′ y3 + . . . + Cn′ yn = 0 (4)

C1′ y1′ + C2′ y2′ + C3′ y3′ + . . . + Cn′ yn′ = 0 (5)
C1′ y1′′ + C2′ y2′′ + C3′ y3′′ + . . . + Cn′ yn′′ = 0 (6)
... ... ... ... ... ... ... (7)
(n−2) (n−2) (n−2)
C1′ y1 + C2′ y2 + C3′ y3 + . . . + Cn′ yn(n−2) = 0 (8)
(n−1) (n−1) (n−1)
C1′ y1 + C2′ y2 + C3′ y3 + . . . + Cn′ yn(n−1) = f (x) (9)

Representing the system of equations in matrix form, we have

    
y1 y2 y3 ... yn C1′ 0
 y1′ y2′
y3′
... ′ ′
yn   C2   0
    
 
 y1′′ y ′′
y ′′
. . . yn′′   ′  
  C3  =  0 (10)
2 3

 
 .. ... ... ... ...   ..   ..
.

  .   . 
(n−1) (n−1) (n−1) (n−1) ′
y1 y2 y3 . . . yn Cn f (x)

from which we derive our wronskian to find C1 , C2 , C3 , . . . , Cn using crammers rule.

Problem 4. If the auxiliary equation of a second order differential equation has complex conjugate
roots α + iβ and α − iβ. Show that the general solution of the differential equation is

y(x) = eαx [A cos βx + B sin βx]

(a) Hence, solve

y ′′ − 6y ′ + 25y = 0, y(0) = −3, y ′ (0) = −1
Solution. (a) For the sake of the question, we assume the differential equation in question is a second
order linear homogeneous equation (Because if it isn’t then y(x) may only be its complimentary
function). Now since α + iβ and α − iβ are roots of the auxiliary equation corresponding to the
homogeneous linear differential equation, we have the general solution as

y(x) = C1 e(α+iβ)x + C2 e(α−iβ)x = eαx C1 eiβx + C2 e−iβx

(1)

where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constants. But from Trigonometry we have that

eβx = cos βx + i sin βx

(2)
e−βx = cos βx − i sin βx

Substitution of the values in (2) into (1), we obtain

y(x) = eαx ((C1 + C2 ) cos βx + i(C1 − C2 ) sin βx) (3)

Let A = C1 + C2 and B = i(C1 − C2 ) since C1 , C2 are arbitrary constants. Therefore

y(x) = eαx (A cos βx + B sin βx) (4)

5
 Hence Proved.

(b) The auxiliary equation corresponding to

y ′′ − 6y ′ + 25y = 0 (1)

is
m2 − 6m + 25
whose roots are 3 ± 4i, now using (a) we have that the general solution, where α = 3 and β = 4, is

y(x) = e3x (A cos 4x + B sin 4x) (2)

at y(0) = −3
−3 = e0 (A cos 0 + B sin 0) =⇒ A = −3 (3)
So that we have from (2) and (3) that

y(x) = e3x (−3 cos 4x + B sin 4x)

(4)
y ′ (x) = 3e3x (−3 cos 4x + B sin 4x) + e3x (3 sin 4x + B cos 4x)

At y ′ (0) = −1

−1 = 3e0 (−3 cos 0 + B sin 0) + e0 (3 sin 0 + B cos 0) =⇒ B=8 (5)

Now the particular solution satisfying the initial conditions is

y(x) = e3x (−3 cos 4x + 8 sin 4x) (6)

Problem 5. Solve the following differential equations

(a)
dy y
+ = xy 2
dx x
(b)
dy
+ y cot x = cos x
dx
Solution.

(a)
dy y
+ = xy 2 (1)
dx x
̸ 0, we may divide both sides of (2) by −y 2 to obtain
If y =

1 dy 1
− − = −x, y ̸= 0 (2)
y 2 dx xy

Making the following substitutions in (2),

1 dr 1 dy
r= , =− 2 (3)
y dx y dx
we obtain after simplification,
dr r
− = −x (4)
dx x

6
 Clearly,(4) is a first order linear differential equation. Therefore its solution is given by
 Z  Z  Z 
1 1
r exp − dx = − x exp − dx dx
x x
Z
r exp (− log x) = − x exp (− log x) dx
Z
r
= − dx
x
r
= −x + c
x
r = cx − x2

Substitution of the value of r in (3) gives

1
y= (5)
cx − x2
Where (5) is the General solution of the linear differential equation (1)
(b)
dy
+ y cot x = cos x (6)
dx
We observe that (3) above is also a first order linear differential equation whose solution is given
by
Z  Z Z 
y exp cot xdx = cos x exp cot xdx dx
Z
y exp (log sin x) = cos x exp (log sin x) dx
Z Z
1
y sin x = cos x sin xdx = sin 2xdx
2
cos 2x
y sin x = − +c
4

Problem 6. (a) The equation y (n) = f x, y, y ′ , . . . , y (n−1) is an ordinary differential equation of the

nth order. When is a function ϕ(x) said to be a solution of the differential equation on α < x < β?
(b) Obtain the differential equation of the form y ′′ = f (x, y, y ′ ) using the canonical conics

x2 y2
+ =1
a2 + λ b 2 + λ
with a and b fixed. (Hint eliminate λ),
(c) Given the differential equation y ′′ − y ′ − 6y = 0. Show that the function y = c1 e−2x + c2 e3x involving
two constants c1 and c2 is the general solution.
Solution.
(a) A function ϕ(x) defined on an interval α < x < β, is said to be an explicit solution or simply a
solution of an ordinary differential equation y (n) = f x, y, y ′ , . . . , y (n−1) on the interval α < x < β

if for all x in α < x < β, the equation

ϕ(n) (x) = f x, ϕ(x), ϕ′ (x), . . . , ϕ(n−1) (x)

is an identity in x.

7
(b)
x2 y2
+ =1 (6.1)
a2 + λ b 2 + λ
Since (6.1) contains one arbitrary constant (λ) then we differentiate once to obtain after simplifi-
cation
x yy ′
+ =0 (6.2)
a2 + λ b 2 + λ
If x ̸= 0 we may multiplying (2) by (b2 + λ) x1 , we get

b2 + λ yy ′
+ = 0, x ̸= 0 (6.3)
a2 + λ x
And,
b2 + λ yy ′
= − , x ̸= 0 (6.4)
a2 + λ x
Differentiating (6.2), we obtain
1 (y ′ )2 + yy ′′
+ =0 (6.5)
a2 + λ b2 + λ
Which can be rewritten as
b2 + λ yy ′
(y ′ )2 + yy ′′ = − = , x ̸= 0 (6.6)
a2 + λ x
Which could also be rewritten as
yy ′
yy ′′ = − (y ′ )2 , x ̸= 0 (6.7)
x
If y ̸= 0 we can divide (6.7) by y to obtain

y ′ (y ′ )2
y ′′ = − , x ̸= 0, y ̸= 0 (6.8)
x y

(c)
y = c1 e−2x + c2 e3x (6.9)
Differentiating (6.9) twice, we obtain

y ′ = −2c1 e−2x + 3e3x

(6.10)
y ′′ = 4c1 e−2x + 9e3x

Substituting the values for y, y ′ and y ′′ into y ′′ − y ′ − 6y = 0 to obtain

4c1 e−2x + 9e3x − (−2c1 e−2x + 3e3x ) − 6(c1 e−2x + c2 e3x ) = 0 (6.11)

which is an ideentity in x. Therefore (6.9) is the general solution of y ′′ − y ′ − 6y = 0.

Problem 7. The radioactive isotope thorium 234 disintegrates at a rate proportional to the amount
present. If 100 milligrams of this material is reduced to 82.04 milligrams in one week. Let Q(t) be the
amount of thorium 234 present at any time t where Q is measured in milligrams and t in days.

(a) Find an expression for the amount of Q(t) present at any time t,

(b) find the time interval that must elapse in order for the mass to decay to one half of its original
value.

Solution

8
(a)
dQ(t)
= −kQ(t) (7.1)
dt
where k is the proportionality constant. Since Q(t) ̸≡ 0 we have

dQ(t)
= −kdt (7.2)
Q(t)

And so, since (7.2) is a separable variable differential equation we have

Z Z
dQ(t)
= −k dt ⇐⇒ log |Q(t)| = −kt + c (7.3)
Q(t)

From which we get

Q(t) = Ae−kt (where A = ±ec ) (7.4)
at initial point (t = 0), we get
A = Q(0)
So that (7.4) becomes
Q(t) = Q(0)e−kt (7.5)
from the data given when Q(0) = 100mg, Q(t) = 82.04mg at t = 1(inweeks)
 
−k 82.04
82.04 = 100e =⇒ −k = log (7.6)
100

Now substituting the value of −k in (7.6) into (7.5), we have

  
82.04
Q(t) = Q(0) exp t log (7.7)
100

(7.7) is the desired expression.

(b) when the mass decays to one half of its original value the Q(t) = 12 Q(0), then
  
1 82.04
Q(0) = Q(0) exp t log (7.8)
2 100

This implies,   
82.04 1
exp t log = (7.9)
100 2
Which easily simplify to
log 2
t=−
≈ 3.5014weeks (7.10)
log 82.04
100

dy
Problem 8. (a) solve the differential equation 2x2 dx = x2 + y 2 .
(b) Verify whether the differential equation (cos 2y − 3x2 y 2 )dx + (cos 2y − 2x sin 2y − 2x3 y)dy = 0 is
exact or not. Hence or otherwise solve the differential equation.
(c) Write the differential equation y 2 dx + 3xydy = 0 in the form

dx
+ p(y)x = q(y)
dy
and determine the integrating factor. Solve the equation.
Solution.

9
(a) If dx ̸= 0 we can rewrite the given equation as,

2x2 dy − (x2 + y 2 )dx = 0 (8.1)

We observe that, 2(tx)2 = t2 (2x2 ) and ((tx)2 + (ty)2 = t2 (x2 + y 2 ). Therefore the differential
equation (8.1) is a first order differential equation with homogeneous coefficient, so we make the
following substitutions in (8.1)

y = vx and dy = xdv + vdx (8.2)

to obtain
2x2 (xdv + vdx) − (x2 + v 2 x2 )dx = 0 (8.3)
if x ̸= 0, we can divide (8.3) by x2 to obtain

2(xdv + vdx) − (1 + v 2 )dx = 0, x ̸= 0 (8.4)

Which can be rewritten as

2xdv − (v − 1)2 dx = 0, x ̸= 0 (8.5)
If v ̸= 1, we can divide (8.5) by (v − 1)2 x to obtain

2dv dx
2
− = 0, x ̸= 0, v ̸= 1 (8.6)
(v − 1) x

The differential equation expressed in (8.6) above is a separable variable differential equation and
so
Z Z
2dv dx
2
− = c, x≠ 0, v ̸= 1 (8.7)
(v − 1) x
2 2x
− − log |x| = c =⇒ − log |x| = c, x= ̸ 0, v ̸= 1 (8.8)
v−1 x − vx
substituting into (8.8) the value of v as given in (8.2), we have
2x
− log |x| = c, x ̸= 0, y/x ̸= 1 (8.9)
x−y

Now we have that (8.9) is a solution of the differential equation given, and y = x is also a solution.

(b) Comparing the differential equation

(cos 2y − 3x2 y 2 )dx + (cos 2y − 2x sin 2y − 2x3 y)dy = 0 (8.10)

with
M (x, y)dx + N (x, y)dy = 0 (8.11)
it is easily seen that

M (x, y) := cos 2y − 3x2 y 2 , N (x, y) := (cos 2y − 2x sin 2y − 2x3 y)

∂M ∂N (8.12)
= −2 sin 2y − 6x2 y, = −2 sin 2y − 6x2 y
∂y ∂x

Now since ∂M∂y

= −2 sin 2y − 6x2 y = ∂N
∂x
, it follows immediately that (8.10) is an exact differen-
tial equation. Now since (8.10) is an exact differential equation there exists f (x, y) an implicit
continuous function such that
∂f (x, y) ∂f (x, y)
= M (x, y) and = N (x, y) (8.13)
∂x ∂y

10
 ∂f (x, y)
= M (x, y) = cos 2y − 3x2 y 2 (8.14)
∂x
Integrating with respect to x keeping y constant we have
Z
f (x, y) = cos 2y − 3x2 y 2 dx = x cos 2y − x3 y 2 + g(y) (8.15)

Differentiating wrt y keeping x constant, we have

∂f (x, y)
N (x, y) = = −2x sin 2y − 2x3 y + g ′ (y) (8.16)
∂y

Comparing (8.16) with N (x, Y ) in (8.12), we obtain

g ′ (y) = cos 2y =⇒ g(y) = sin 2y (8.17)

Substitution of the value g(y) in (8.17) into (8.15) gives

f (x, y) = x cos 2y − x3 y 2 + sin 2y (8.18)

hence the desired solution is

x cos 2y − x3 y 2 + sin 2y = c (8.18)
where c is an arbitrary constant

(c)
y 2 dx + 3xydy = 0 (8.19)
If y ̸= 0 and dy ̸= 0, we may divide (8.19) by y 2 dy to obtain

dx 3x
+ = 0, y ̸= 0 (8.20)
dy y
Which is of the form
dx
+ p(y)x = q(y) (8.21)
dy
3
where p(y) := y
and q(y) := 0

From class, it is easily seen that the integrating factor of the above first order linear differential equation
is Z  Z 
3
dy = exp log y 3 = y 3


I.F. = exp p(y)dy = exp (8.22)
y
Multiplying (8.20) by I.F. in (8.22), we obtain

dx
y3 + 3xy 2 = 0 (8.23)
dy
d 3
xy = 0 (8.24)
dy
So that
d(xy 3 )
Z
dy = c (8.25)
dy
xy 3 = c (8.26)

Where (8.26) is the required solution.

11
Problem 9. (a) Solve using the operator technique the differential equation

(D + 1)(D − 3)y = e3x + x2

(b) Solve using the variation of parameters the differential equation

y ′′ + 4y = csc 2x

(c) the method of undetermined coefficient, determine the general solution

y ′′ + 5y ′ + 6y = 50 sin 4x

Solution.

(a)
(D + 1)(D − 3)y = e3x + x2 (9.1)
The auxiliary equation of the corresponding homogeneous linear differential equation is given by,

(m + 1)(m − 3) = 0 (9.2)

whose roots are -1 and 3. There e−x and e3x are two linearly independent solutions of the corre-
sponding homogeneous linear differential equation, so that the complimentary function is

C.F = C1 e−x + C2 e3x (9.3)

where C1 and C2 are arbitrary constants. And so the particular integral of (9.1) is given by
1
yp = (e3x + x2 ) (9.4)
(D + 1)(D − 3)
1 1
= e3x + x2
(D + 1)(D − 3) (D + 1)(D − 3)
x 1
= e3x + 2 x2
2(D − 1) D − 2D − 3
x 1 1
= e3x − · 2 1 2x
2
2(3 − 1) 3 1 + 3D − 3D
 −1
x 3x 1 2 1 2
= e − · 1+ D− D x2
4 3 3 3
 
x 3x 1 2 1 2 4 2
= e − · 1 − D + D + D x2
4 3 3 3 9
 
x 3x 1 2 2 1 4
= e − · x − (2x) + (2) + (2)
4 3 3 3 9
 
x 3x 1 4x 14
yp = e − · x2 − + (9.5)
4 3 3 9

And therefore the general solution of the differential equation (9.1) is

 
−x 3x x 3x 1 2 4x 14
y(x) = C1 e + C2 e + e − · x − + (9.6)
4 3 3 9

(b)
y ′′ + 4y = csc 2x (9.7)

12
 The auxiliary equation of the corresponding homogeneous linear differential equation is

m2 + 4 = 0 (9.8)

Whose roots are ±2i. And therefore the two linearly independent solutions of the corresponding
homogeneous linear differential equation are sin 2x and cos 2x, so that the complimentary functions
is
C.F. = A sin 2x + B cos 2x (9.9)
Where A and B are arbitrary constants. And the particular integral of (9.7) is

yp = C1 cos 2x + C2 sin 2x (9.10)

where C1 and C2 are functions satisfying

C1′ cos 2x + C2′ sin 2x = 0

(9.11)
−2C1′ sin 2x + 2C2′ cos 2x = csc 2x

We now solve for C1′ and C2′ using crammers rule,

0 sin 2x
csc 2x 2 cos 2x − csc 2x sin 2x
C1′ = =
cos 2x sin 2x 2 cos2 2x + 2 sin2 2x (9.12)
−2 sin 2x 2 cos 2x
1
=−
2
cos 2x 0
−2 sin 2x csc 2x csc 2x cos 2x
C2′ = =
cos 2x sin 2x 2 cos2 2x + 2 sin2 2x (9.13)
−2 sin 2x 2 cos 2x
cot 2x
=
2
We integrate this values to obtain the function C1 and C2 .
Z
1 x
C1 = − dx = − (9.14)
2 2
Z
1 1
C2 = cot 2xdx = log(sin 2x) (9.15)
2 4
Substituting this values of C1 and C2 in (9.14) and (9.15) into (9.10), we obtain
x cos 2x sin 2x
yp = − + log(sin 2x) (9.16)
2 4
And so combining (9.9) and (9.16) gives the general solution of the differential equation (9.7)
x cos 2x sin 2x
y = A sin 2x + B cos 2x − + log(sin 2x) (9.17)
2 4

(c)
y ′′ + 5y ′ + 6y = 50 sin 4x (9.18)
The auxiliary equation of the corresponding homogeneous linear differential equation is

m2 + 5m + 6 = 0 (9.19)

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 Whose roots are −2 and −3. So e−2x and e−3x are two linearly independent solution of the corre-
sponding homogeneous linear differential equation of (9.18). There the complimentary function

C.F. = Ae−3x + Be−2x (9.20)

Since no term in 50 sin 4x is the same as any term in C.F. we have that the particular integral is of
the form
yp = C1 sin 4x + C2 cos 4x (9.21)
where C1 and C2 is some constant. and we have upon differentiating (9.21)

yp′ = 4C1 cos 4x − 4C2 sin 4x

(9.22)
yp′′ = −16C1 sin 4x − 16C2 cos 4x

Substitution of the values of yp , yp′ , yp′′ into (9.18), we obtain

−16C1 sin 4x − 16C2 cos 4x + 5(4C1 cos 4x − 4C2 sin 4x) + 6(C1 sin 4x + C2 cos 4x) = 50 sin 4x (9.23)

which simplifies to

(−10C1 − 20C2 ) sin 4x + (−10C2 + 20C1 ) cos 4x = 50 sin 4x (9.24)

Comparing coefficients of like terms, we obtain the system of equations

−10C1 − 20C2 = 50 ⇐⇒ C1 + 2C2 = −5

(9.25)
−10C2 + 20C1 = 0 ⇐⇒ 2C1 − C2 = 0

whose solution is C1 = −1 and C2 = −2 and so,

yp = − sin 4x − 2 cos 4x (9.26)

Combining (9.20) and (9.26) gives the general solution of the differential equation,

y = Ae−3x + Be−2x − sin 4x − 2 cos 4x (9.27)

Problem 10.

Problem 11.

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