Find the general solution of: y'' + 4y' + 13y = sin(x)

First we find the auxilary equation by substituting y with m^0, y' with m^1 and y'' with m^2. We get m^2 + 4m + 13 and find the roots using the differential equation, m = (-4 +- (16-4x1x13)^0.5)/(2x1).

From this we get complex roots m = -2 + 3i and m = -2 - 3i. Now we solve the homogenous form using these roots, y = e^(-2x) (Acos(3x) + Bsin(3x)).

So we have solved the differential equation for when the right hand side is equal to zero but we must solve it for when the RHS is equal to sin(x) so we need to take y = psin(x) + qcos(x) and find y' and y'' to substitute into the LHS. So y' = -psin(x) + qcos(x) and y'' = -pcos(x) - qsin(x).

By comparing coefficients of the substitued LHS and the RHS we get, (-pcos(x) - qsin(x)) + 4(-psin(x) + qcos(x)) + 13(pcos(x) + qsin(x)) == sin(x). After comparing coefficients and solving the resulting simultaneous equation we find, p = -1/40 and q = 3/40.

Now we just put all the parts together to obtain the general solution to the equation, y = e^(-2x) (Acos(3x) + Bsin(3x)) - (1/40)cos(x) + (3/40)sin(x).

TT
Answered by Tom T. Further Mathematics tutor

9114 Views

See similar Further Mathematics A Level tutors

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Find the 4th roots 6


Define tanh(t) in terms of exponentials


Given that p≥ -1 , prove by induction that, for all integers n≥1 , (1+p)^k ≥ 1+k*p.


Differentiate w.r.t x the expression arccos(x).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning