Exercise · ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-002 · ★☆☆ Basic

Solve \(y''-y'-6y=0\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. \(y=c_1e^{3t}+c_2e^{-2t}\)

Explanation

\(r^2-r-6=(r-3)(r+2)=0\) gives \(r=3\) and \(r=-2\), two distinct real roots.

Study Differential equations in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Characteristic equation

The characteristic equation of \(ay''+by'+cy=0\), with constant coefficients \(a,b,c\), is the algebraic equation in the unknown \(r\) that results from trying \(y=e^{rt}\).

\[ar^2+br+c=0\]

More practice problems: characteristic equation

← ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-001 ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-003 →