Exercise · ZW-CHARACTERISTIC-EQUATION-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

An equation \(y''+by'+cy=0\) has characteristic roots \(1\) and \(-4\). Which equation is it?

Choose one option.

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  • D. \(y''+3y'-4y=0\)

Explanation

\((r-1)(r+4)=r^2+3r-4\). The coefficients are the sign-changed sum (\(-(1-4)=3\)) and the product (\(-4\)) of the roots.

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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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