Step-by-step math courses covering Pre-Algebra through Calculus 3.

Online Math Courses

Get started

Posts tagged second order differential equations

Solving differential equation initial value problems with step functions as forcing functions

In general, to solve the initial value problem, we’ll follow these steps: 1. Make sure the forcing function is being shifted correctly, and identify the function being shifted. 2. Apply a Laplace transform to each part of the differential equation, substituting initial conditions to simplify. 3. Solve for Y(s). 4. Apply an inverse transform to find y(t).

Undetermined coefficients for second-order nonhomogeneous equations

Undetermined coefficients is a method you can use to find the general solution to a second-order (or higher-order) nonhomogeneous differential equation. Remember that homogenous differential equations have a 0 on the right side, where nonhomogeneous differential equations have a non-zero function on the right side.