# $2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} + 7\frac{dy}{dx} -y =0$ where y(0)=1 and y'(0)=3

I need help with this slightly tedious question

the got the solution of the auxiliary equation to be $s=\frac{-7+\sqrt{57} }{2}$ and $t=\frac{-7-\sqrt{57} }{2}$ thus the general solution $y=Ae^{sx}+Be^{tx}$.

Given the initial conditions I obtained the two simultaneous equations $1=A+B$ and $\frac{20}{\sqrt{57} }=A-B$ which gave me $A=1.824532357$ and $B=-0.824532357$

so when x=2 my y value was 3.16 (2dp) hich was incorrect but I don't see where I went wrong.

Can anyone PLEASE confirm what answer they get to 2dp (Note: you must be as accurate as possible)

Many thanks

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You solutions to the aux. eq. are wrong. The denominators should be $4$. –  L. F. Mar 11 '13 at 13:55
+1 for giving your attempted solution. This is how questions on exercises should be asked here, in my opinion. –  GEdgar Mar 11 '13 at 14:12
ahh stupid mistake thanks –  Ricky Rozay Mar 12 '13 at 14:06

As L.F. stated, you have an issue with your denominator from your auxiliary equation.

You should have, $2m^2 + 7m -1 = 0$, yielding:

$~m = \frac{1}{4} (-\sqrt{57}-7)$ and $m = \frac{1}{4} (\sqrt{57}-7)$

From this and the IC's, we arrive at:

$$\displaystyle \large y(x) = \frac{1}{6} e^{-\frac{1}{4} (7+\sqrt{57}) x} \left((3+\sqrt{57}) e^{\frac{\sqrt{57} x}{2}}+3-\sqrt{57}\right)$$

At $x = 2$, we get:

$$y(2) = \displaystyle \frac{1}{6} e^{\frac{1}{2} (-7-\sqrt{57})} \left(3-\sqrt{57}+(3+\sqrt{57}) e^{\sqrt{57}}\right) \approx 2.3141465430$$

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+1 NIce as usual. :-) –  Babak S. Mar 11 '13 at 14:45
@BabakS.: thank you my friend! I like the new graphic you are using! :-) Regards –  Amzoti Mar 11 '13 at 14:47
Yay! $\checkmark$ and so clearly it was helpful! And so it will continue to be. –  amWhy Apr 21 '13 at 0:29