Math Problem Statement

The given family of functions is the general solution of the differential equation on the indicated interval. Find a member of the family that is a solution of the initial-value problem: y = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 e^{-x}, (-∞, ∞); y'' - 3y' - 4y = 0, y(0) = 1, y'(0) = 1.

Solution

We are given the general solution of the differential equation and need to find the specific solution that satisfies the initial value problem. The given differential equation and its general solution are:

y=C1e4x+C2exy = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 e^{-x} with the initial conditions: y(0)=1,y(0)=1y(0) = 1, \quad y'(0) = 1

Step 1: Find the first derivative y(x)y'(x)

The derivative of y(x)y(x) is:

y(x)=C14e4xC2exy'(x) = C_1 \cdot 4 e^{4x} - C_2 e^{-x}

Step 2: Apply the initial conditions

First, use the initial condition y(0)=1y(0) = 1:

y(0)=C1e4(0)+C2e0=C1+C2=1y(0) = C_1 e^{4(0)} + C_2 e^{-0} = C_1 + C_2 = 1 This gives the equation: C1+C2=1(Equation 1)C_1 + C_2 = 1 \quad \text{(Equation 1)}

Next, apply the second initial condition y(0)=1y'(0) = 1:

y(0)=C14e4(0)C2e(0)=4C1C2=1y'(0) = C_1 \cdot 4 e^{4(0)} - C_2 e^{-(0)} = 4C_1 - C_2 = 1 This gives the equation: 4C1C2=1(Equation 2)4C_1 - C_2 = 1 \quad \text{(Equation 2)}

Step 3: Solve the system of equations

We now solve the system of equations:

  1. C1+C2=1C_1 + C_2 = 1
  2. 4C1C2=14C_1 - C_2 = 1

Add the two equations together to eliminate C2C_2:

(4C1C2)+(C1+C2)=1+1(4C_1 - C_2) + (C_1 + C_2) = 1 + 1 5C1=25C_1 = 2 C1=25C_1 = \frac{2}{5}

Substitute C1=25C_1 = \frac{2}{5} into Equation 1:

25+C2=1\frac{2}{5} + C_2 = 1 C2=125=35C_2 = 1 - \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3}{5}

Step 4: Write the particular solution

Now that we have C1=25C_1 = \frac{2}{5} and C2=35C_2 = \frac{3}{5}, the particular solution is:

y=25e4x+35exy = \frac{2}{5} e^{4x} + \frac{3}{5} e^{-x}

This is the solution to the initial-value problem.

Would you like more details or further clarifications? Here are some related questions:

  1. How is the first derivative calculated for exponential functions?
  2. What method was used to solve the system of equations?
  3. How do you verify that the solution satisfies the original differential equation?
  4. Why do we need two initial conditions for this second-order differential equation?
  5. How can the solution behavior change based on the values of C1C_1 and C2C_2?

Tip: Always double-check initial conditions after solving to ensure the particular solution is correct!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Differential Equations
Initial-Value Problems
Exponential Functions

Formulas

y = C_1 e^{4x} + C_2 e^{-x}
y'(x) = 4C_1 e^{4x} - C_2 e^{-x}
System of linear equations: C_1 + C_2 = 1 and 4C_1 - C_2 = 1

Theorems

General solution of second-order linear differential equations
Initial value theorem

Suitable Grade Level

University Level - Differential Equations