Exercise · ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-005 · ★☆☆ Basic

What are the roots of the characteristic equation of \(y''-4y=0\)?

Choose one option.

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  • B. \(r=\pm2\)

Explanation

\(r^2-4=0\) gives \(r=\pm2\). The imaginary roots \(\pm2i\) would correspond to \(y''+4y=0\).

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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

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