Exercise · ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-006 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Solve \(y''+2y'+5y=0\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(y=e^{-t}(c_1\cos2t+c_2\sin2t)\)

Explanation

\(r=\frac{-2\pm\sqrt{4-20}}{2}=-1\pm2i\). The real part \(-1\) goes in the exponential and the imaginary part \(2\) in the sine and cosine.

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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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