Math Problem Statement

Solve the initial value problem y"+y=0 y(0)=0=y'(0)

Solution

The initial value problem given is:

y+y=0y'' + y = 0 y(0)=0,y(0)=0y(0) = 0, \quad y'(0) = 0

Step 1: Solve the homogeneous differential equation

The differential equation is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation with constant coefficients. The general form is:

y+y=0y'' + y = 0

To solve this, we start by finding the characteristic equation associated with the differential equation. Assuming a solution of the form y=erty = e^{rt}, we substitute this into the differential equation:

r2ert+ert=0r^2 e^{rt} + e^{rt} = 0

Factor out erte^{rt}:

ert(r2+1)=0e^{rt} (r^2 + 1) = 0

Since erte^{rt} is never zero, we have:

r2+1=0r^2 + 1 = 0

Solve for rr:

r2=1r^2 = -1 r=±ir = \pm i

So the general solution to the differential equation is:

y(t)=C1cos(t)+C2sin(t)y(t) = C_1 \cos(t) + C_2 \sin(t)

Step 2: Apply the initial conditions

Given the initial conditions y(0)=0y(0) = 0 and y(0)=0y'(0) = 0, we will apply these to find the constants C1C_1 and C2C_2.

  1. Apply y(0)=0y(0) = 0:

    y(0)=C1cos(0)+C2sin(0)=C11+C20=C1y(0) = C_1 \cos(0) + C_2 \sin(0) = C_1 \cdot 1 + C_2 \cdot 0 = C_1

    Therefore:

    C1=0C_1 = 0

    So the solution simplifies to:

    y(t)=C2sin(t)y(t) = C_2 \sin(t)

  2. Apply y(0)=0y'(0) = 0:

    First, compute the derivative of y(t)y(t):

    y(t)=C2cos(t)y'(t) = C_2 \cos(t)

    Now apply the initial condition:

    y(0)=C2cos(0)=C21=C2y'(0) = C_2 \cos(0) = C_2 \cdot 1 = C_2

    Therefore:

    C2=0C_2 = 0

Final Solution

Since both C1C_1 and C2C_2 are zero, the solution to the initial value problem is:

y(t)=0y(t) = 0

This means that the function y(t)y(t) is identically zero for all tt.

Do you want further details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. What is the significance of the characteristic equation in solving differential equations?
  2. Can you solve a similar initial value problem for a different differential equation, such as yy=0y'' - y = 0?
  3. What would happen if the initial conditions were different?
  4. How would the solution change if the differential equation was non-homogeneous, for example, y+y=cos(t)y'' + y = \cos(t)?
  5. Can you explain the physical interpretation of this differential equation in a mechanical or electrical system?

Tip: When solving second-order differential equations, the initial conditions are crucial to determining the specific solution to the problem. Always double-check them to ensure accuracy.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Second-order differential equations
Homogeneous differential equations
Initial value problems

Formulas

Characteristic equation solution for second-order differential equations

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate level