Introduction
The general n-order differential equation
can be translated into a system of first-order differential equations:
For a second-order equation
y" + A*y' + B*y = f(x)
The system is
y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = f(x) - A*y_2 - B*y_1
Now time for examples.
1. y" + 3*y' - 4*y = 2
Let y_1 = y and y_2 = y'_1. Then:
y_2 = y', and
y'_2 = y"
y'_2 = 2 - 3*y' - 4*y
= 2 - 3*y_2 - 4*y_1
So our system is:
y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = 2 - 3 * y_2 - 4 * y_1
2. 3*y" + 6*y' = -9
Let y_1 = y and y_2 = y'. Then:
y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = y"
3*y" = -9 - 6*y'
y" = -3 - 2*y'
y'_2 = -3 - 2*y_2
The system is:
y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = -3 - 2*y_2
We can go the other way, from a system of linear differential equations to a single multi-order differential equation.
3. y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = y_1 + y_2
Again, let y_1 = y and y_2 = y'. Then:
y'_2 = y_1 + y_2
y" = y + y'
y" - y' - y = 0
4. y'_1 = y_2
y'_2 = 2/7 * y_1 - 3/7 * y_2 + 1/7
With y_1 = y and y_2 = y',
y'_2 = 2/7 * y_1 - 3/7 * y_2 + 1/7
y" = 2/7 * y - 3/7 * y' + 1/7
y" + 3/7 * y' - 2/7 * y = 1/7
7*y" + 3*y' - 2*y = 1
This concludes this blog post of Differential Equations. In a week I will be headed to Fort Collins. CO for the HHC 2013 conference. I am so excited - may the bad weather go away and everyone be safe!
Eddie
This blog is property of Edward Shore. 2013
