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Method of Variation of Parameters

The method of variation of parameters is used to find the general solution to a non-homogeneous second order linear differential equation. It assumes the general solution has the form of the general solution to the corresponding homogeneous equation, with the coefficients being functions of x. Differentiating and substituting into the original equation determines expressions for the coefficients in terms of an integral involving the particular solution. As an example, it is applied to solve the equation d2y/dx2 - y = 2/(1+ex).

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28 views3 pages

Method of Variation of Parameters

The method of variation of parameters is used to find the general solution to a non-homogeneous second order linear differential equation. It assumes the general solution has the form of the general solution to the corresponding homogeneous equation, with the coefficients being functions of x. Differentiating and substituting into the original equation determines expressions for the coefficients in terms of an integral involving the particular solution. As an example, it is applied to solve the equation d2y/dx2 - y = 2/(1+ex).

Uploaded by

ParantapDansana
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Method of variation of parameters

Consider the following second order non-homogeneous linear equation


d2 y
dy
+ a1
+ a2 y = f (x)
2
dx
dx

(1)

Let y = c1 y1 + c2 y2 , with c1 and c2 as arbitrary constants, be the general solution


of the homogeneous equation
dy
d2 y
+ a1
+ a2 y = 0
2
dx
dx
We assume that
y = C1 y 1 + C2 y 2

(2)

is the general solution of the non-homogeneous equation (1), where C1 and C2 are
functions of x to be so chosen that (1) is satisfied.
Differentiating (2) we get

y = C1 y 1 + C2 y 2 + C1 y 1 + C2 y 2
|
{z
}

(3)

=0

For simplicity, in order to find C1 and C2 we assume that

C1 y 1 + C2 y 2 = 0

(4)

Differentiating (3) again,

y = C1 y 1 + C2 y 2 + C1 y 1 + C2 y 2

(5)

Substituting y, y and y in (1) we get









C1 y1 + a1 y1 + a2 y1 + C2 y2 + a1 y2 + a2 y2 + C1 y1 + C2 y2 = f (x)
=

C1 y1 + C2 y2 = f (x)

Solving the equations (4) and (6):



0

f (x)

C1 =
y1

y
1


y2

y2
y f (x)
= 2
W
y2


y2
1

(6)

Here W is called Wronskian. It is non-zero because y1 and y2 are linearly independent. Similarly


y1
0

y f (x)
y f (x)

1
= 1
C2 =
y1 y2
W


y y
1
2

After integrating:

C1 =

y2 f (x)
dx + d1

and C2 =

y1 f (x)
dx + d2
W

Hence the general solution of the non-homogeneous equation


y = d1 y1 + d2 y2 + y1

y2 f (x)

dx + y2
W

y1 f (x)
dx
W

Example: Apply the method of variation of parameters to solve


d2 y
2
y =
2
dx
1 + ex

(7)

Solution:
C.F. = c1 ex + c2 ex
Let y = C1 ex + C2 ex be the general solution of the given equation.

y = C1 ex C2 ex + C1 ex + C2 ex
|
{z
}
=0

y = C1 ex + C2 ex + C1 ex C2 ex
Substituting in (7)

C1 ex C2 ex =
The Wronskian

Hence

2
1 + ex

x

e
ex

W = x
= 2
e ex

Z
Z
1
2
ex
x
C1 =
e
dx + d1 =
dx + d1
2
1 + ex
1 + ex
Substitute ex = z ex dx = dz
Z
Z
1
1
1
1
C1 =
dz
+
d
=

+
dz + d1
1
z 2 (1 + z)
z2 z 1 + z
2

1
C1 = ln z + ln(1 + z) + d1 = ex x + ln(1 + ex ) + d1
z
Similarly

Z
2
1
ex
dx + d1 = ln(1 + ex ) + d2
C2 =
2
1 + ex
The general solution of the differential equation
y = d1 ex + d2 ex 1 xex + (ex ex ) ln(1 + ex )

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