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duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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I'm got one homework problem for differential equations that requires using variation of parameters on a third order DE. I don't get how to form the Wronskian's and corresponding u primes with a third order DE, and the book for the class is pretty much useless.


Ok, so the DE is y-triple prime + y-prime = tan x. I can form the Wronskian but not the 3 other Wronskians coressponding to the u primes or whatever.
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
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I took Differential Equations back a couple years ago, I'll see if I can find my notes.

Which book do you have? Mine was pretty bad too.
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
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I don't even have my old diff eq's book around. My most recent book deals with differential equations in an entirely different way... I've taken 2 undergrad courses in differential equations, and other than the name of the course, there were very few similarities.
 

dym

Senior member
Jun 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: duragezic
I'm got one homework problem for differential equations that requires using variation of parameters on a third order DE. I don't get how to form the Wronskian's and corresponding u primes with a third order DE, and the book for the class is pretty much useless.


Ok, so the DE is y-triple prime + y-prime = tan x. I can form the Wronskian but not the 3 other Wronskians coressponding to the u primes or whatever.


first you have to find the characteristic equation, which is r^3+r=0
thus, r=0, +-i.
then you have to find the general ofrm of y, which will be: y(t)=c1+c2*sin(t)+c3*cos(t)
therefore,
y1 will be 1
y2 will be sint
y3 will be cost

form wronskian determinant by the derivative of the y1, y2, y3

any further help, contact me at potoba2000 (YM!) or pm me

Dym