Module-4: Method of variation of parameters – Solutions of Cauchy-Euler and Cauchy-
Legendre differential equations – Applications of linear second-order differential equations.
Easy
𝑒𝑡
1. Solve it by the method of variation parameter, y′′−2y′+y = 𝑡 2 +1
1
𝐀𝐧𝐬: 𝑦(𝑡) = 𝑒 𝑡 (𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑡 + 𝑡 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 − ln (1 + 𝑡 2 ))
2
𝑑2 𝑦 𝑑𝑦
2. Find the general solution of − 3𝑑𝑥 + 2y = e3x
𝑑𝑥 2
1
Ans: y = 𝐶1 𝑒 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑒 2𝑥 + 2 𝑒 3𝑥
3. Solve the Cauchy–Euler equation 𝑥 2 𝑦 ′′ + 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = log (𝑥)
Ans: 𝑦1 = 𝐶1 𝑥 + 𝐶2 𝑥log 𝑥 + log 𝑥 + 2
[Link] the Cauchy–Legendre equation (1+x)2y′′+(1+x) y′+ y = 4cos(ln(1+x))
Ans: 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝐶1 cos (ln (1 + 𝑥)) + 𝐶2 sin (ln (1 + 𝑥)) + 2ln (1 + 𝑥)sin (ln (1 + 𝑥))
5. A mass of 2 kg is suspended from a spring with a known spring constant of 10 N/m and
allowed to come to rest. It is then set in motion by giving it an initial velocity of 150 cm/sec.
Find an expression for the motion of the mass, assuming no air resistance.
3
Ans: 𝑦(𝑡) = 2√5 sin (√5 𝑡)
Medium
6. 𝑥 2 𝑦 ′′ + 𝑥𝑦 ′ + 𝑦 = log(𝑥) sin(𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑥)
1 1
Ans: y = 𝐴cos (log 𝑥) + 𝐵sin (log 𝑥) − 4 (log 𝑥)2 cos (log 𝑥) + 4 log 𝑥sin (log 𝑥
7. 2y′′+18y=6tan(3t)
1
Ans: 𝑦(𝑡) = 𝐶1 cos (3𝑡) + 𝐶2 sin (3𝑡) − 3 cos (3𝑡)ln ∣ sec (3𝑡) + tan (3𝑡)
8. A 128-lb weight is attached to a spring having a spring constant of 64 lb/ft. The weight is
set in motion with no initial velocity by displacing it 6 inches above the equilibrium position
and simultaneously applying an external force F(t) = 8 sin 4t. Assuming no air resistance, find
the subsequent motion of the weight.
1 1 1
Ans: 𝑦(𝑡) = 2 cos 4𝑡 + 16 sin 4𝑡 − 4 𝑡cos 4𝑡
9. Solve the differential equation using the method of variation of parameters: y'' + y = sec(x).
Ans: y(x) = C_1 cos x + C_2 sin x + cos x·ln|cos x| + x sin x.
10. Solve the Cauchy–Euler equation: x²y'' - 3xy' + 4y = x² sin(ln x).
Ans: 𝑦(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 ⋅ (𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ⋅ ln(𝑥)) + 𝑥 2
Hard
11. Find the general solution of x²y'' + 4xy' + 13y = 0.
Ans:
12. Solve the Cauchy–Legendre differential equation: (1 - x²)y'' - 2xy' + 2y = 0.
𝑥 1+𝑥
Ans: 𝑄1 (𝑥) = 2 ln(1−𝑥) − 1.
13. Solve by variation of parameters: y'' - 2y' + y = e^x sin(x).
Ans: 𝑦(𝑥) = (𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑥)𝑒 𝑥 + 𝑒 𝑥 ⋅ (sin(𝑥) − 2𝑥 ⋅ cos(𝑥))
14. An electric circuit has resistance R = 4 Ω, inductance L = 1 H, and capacitance C = 1/2 F.
If the applied electromotive force is E(t) = 10e^(-t) sin(t), find the current i(t) using the
governing equation: L d²i/dt² + R di/dt + (1/C)i = E(t).
Ans: 𝑖𝑝 (𝑡) = 𝑒 −𝑡 (𝑃cos𝑡 + 𝑄sin𝑡)
15. A mass–spring system satisfies the equation: m d²x/dt² + c dx/dt + kx = F₀ cos(ωt). Given
that m = 1, c = 3, k = 10, F₀ = 5, ω = 2, find the steady-state solution x(t) using the method of
undetermined coefficients or variation of parameters.
Ans: 𝑥𝑠𝑠 (𝑡) = (5/12)[cos(2𝑡) + sin(2𝑡)]