Differential Equations

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Lesson 43 of 112 · Module 3: Laplace Transforms

Module 0 — What an ODE Is (10/10)

L1. Equations whose unknowns are functions

Module 0  2026-08-05  ·  9:29  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine the order and whether the following equation is linear or non-linear: $y'' + 3y' + 2y = f(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The highest derivative present is the second derivative $y''$, so the order is 2.
  2. The function $y$ and its derivatives $y'$ and $y''$ all appear to the first power and are not multiplied by each other.
  3. The term $f(t)$ depends only on the independent variable $t$, which does not affect linearity.

Answer: Order 2, Linear

Problem 2. Verify if the function $y(t) = e^{-5t}$ is a solution to the differential equation $y' + 5y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. First, compute the derivative of the proposed solution: $y' = -5 e^{-5t}$.
  2. Substitute $y$ and $y'$ into the equation: $(-5 e^{-5t}) + 5(e^{-5t})$.
  3. Simplify the expression: $-5 e^{-5t} + 5 e^{-5t} = 0$.
  4. Since the result is 0, the equation is satisfied.

Answer: Yes, it is a solution.

Problem 3. Identify the order and linearity of the equation $y' = \frac{t}{y}$.
Reveal solution
  1. The highest derivative is $y'$, so the order is 1.
  2. Rewrite the equation as $y y' = t$.
  3. Because the unknown function $y$ is multiplied by its derivative $y'$, the equation is non-linear.

Answer: Order 1, Non-linear

L2. Order, linearity, solutions — the vocabulary

Module 0  2026-08-06  ·  11:20  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine the order and linearity of the differential equation $y'' + y' y = \sin t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the highest derivative: the second derivative $y''$ is present, so the order is 2.
  2. Check for linearity: the term $y' y$ is a product of the unknown function and its derivative.
  3. Since a product of $y$ and its derivatives is present, the equation is non-linear.

Answer: Order 2, Non-linear

Problem 2. Verify if $y = e^{3t}$ is a solution to the ODE $y' - 3y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the derivative of the candidate function: $y' = \frac{d}{dt}(e^{3t}) = 3e^{3t}$.
  2. Substitute $y$ and $y'$ into the ODE: $3e^{3t} - 3(e^{3t})$.
  3. Simplify the expression: $3e^{3t} - 3e^{3t} = 0$.
  4. Since the result is $0 = 0$, the function is a solution.

Answer: Yes, it is a solution

Problem 3. Classify the ODE $y''' + t^2 y'' - e^t y' + \cos(t) y = 0$ by order and linearity.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the highest derivative: $y'''$ is the third derivative, so the order is 3.
  2. Check for linearity: $y'''$, $y''$, $y'$, and $y$ all appear to the first power.
  3. Check coefficients: $1$, $t^2$, $-e^t$, and $\cos(t)$ depend only on the independent variable $t$.
  4. Since all conditions for linearity are met, the equation is linear.

Answer: Order 3, Linear

L3. Verifying solutions; general vs particular; initial conditions

Module 0  2026-08-07  ·  10:45  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Verify that $y = 5e^{3t}$ is a solution to the differential equation $y' - 3y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the derivative: $y' = 15e^{3t}$.
  2. Substitute $y$ and $y'$ into the equation: $15e^{3t} - 3(5e^{3t})$.
  3. Simplify: $15e^{3t} - 15e^{3t} = 0$.
  4. The identity $0 = 0$ holds.

Answer: It is a solution.

Problem 2. Given the general solution $y = Ce^{t/2}$, find the particular solution that satisfies the initial condition $y(0) = 10$.
Reveal solution
  1. Substitute $t = 0$ and $y = 10$ into the general solution: $10 = Ce^{0/2}$.
  2. Since $e^0 = 1$, we have $10 = C(1)$.
  3. Thus, $C = 10$.
  4. Substitute $C$ back into the general solution.

Answer: $y = 10e^{t/2}$

Problem 3. Determine if $y = t^2 + 1$ is a solution to the ODE $y' = 2t$. If so, find the initial condition $y(0) = y_0$ that makes it a particular solution.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the derivative: $y' = 2t$.
  2. Substitute into the ODE: $2t = 2t$. This is an identity, so it is a solution.
  3. To find the initial condition, evaluate $y$ at $t = 0$: $y(0) = 0^2 + 1 = 1$.
  4. The initial condition is $y(0) = 1$.

Answer: Yes; $y(0) = 1$

L4. Slope fields — seeing every solution at once

Module 0  2026-08-08  ·  10:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the equilibrium solutions for the differential equation $y' = y(y - 3)$ and determine if they are stable (attractors) or unstable (repellers) by considering the sign of $y'$ between them.
Reveal solution
  1. Set $y' = 0$, which gives $y(y - 3) = 0$.
  2. The equilibrium solutions are $y = 0$ and $y = 3$.
  3. For $y > 3$, $y'$ is positive, so solutions move away from $y = 3$.
  4. For $0 < y < 3$, $y'$ is negative, so solutions move away from $y = 3$ and toward $y = 0$.
  5. For $y < 0$, $y'$ is positive, so solutions move toward $y = 0$.
  6. Therefore, $y = 3$ is unstable and $y = 0$ is stable.

Answer: $y = 0$ (stable), $y = 3$ (unstable)

Problem 2. Given the slope field for $y' = t - y$, sketch the behavior of a solution that starts at the initial condition $y(0) = 2$. Does the solution approach a specific line as $t$ increases?
Reveal solution
  1. At $(0, 2)$, the slope is $0 - 2 = -2$, so the curve starts by decreasing.
  2. As $t$ increases and $y$ decreases, the slope $t - y$ becomes less negative.
  3. We check the line $y = t - 1$. Its slope is $1$.
  4. Plugging $y = t - 1$ into the ODE gives $t - (t - 1) = 1$.
  5. Since the slopes match, $y = t - 1$ is a solution.
  6. The solution starting at $(0, 2)$ will be attracted to the line $y = t - 1$.

Answer: The solution decreases and asymptotically approaches the line $y = t - 1$.

Problem 3. Determine if the differential equation $y' = \frac{t^2}{y}$ is autonomous. If not, find the slope of the solution curve at the point $(2, 1)$ and describe the concavity of the solution at that point using the formula $y'' = \frac{d}{dt} f(t, y)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The equation is not autonomous because the slope depends on $t$.
  2. At $(2, 1)$, the slope is $y' = \frac{2^2}{1} = 4$.
  3. To find concavity, we differentiate $y' = t^2 y^{-1}$ with respect to $t$ using the product and chain rules: $y'' = 2t y^{-1} + t^2 (-y^{-2} y')$.
  4. Substitute $t = 2, y = 1, y' = 4$: $y'' = 2(2)(1)^{-1} + (2^2)(-(1)^{-2})(4)$.
  5. Compute: $y'' = 4 - 16 = -12$.
  6. Since $y'' < 0$, the solution is concave down at this point.

Answer: Not autonomous; slope is $4$; concave down.

L5. Existence and uniqueness — when is the future determined?

Module 0  2026-08-09  ·  10:32  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Does the initial value problem $y' = y^2 + t$ with $y(0) = 0$ have a guaranteed unique solution near the origin? Explain why.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $f(t, y) = y^2 + t$. This is a polynomial, so it is continuous everywhere, including $(0, 0)$.
  2. Compute the partial derivative with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 2y$.
  3. Check continuity of the partial derivative: $2y$ is a polynomial and is continuous everywhere, including $(0, 0)$.
  4. Since both $f$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}$ are continuous, a unique solution is guaranteed.

Answer: Yes, because both $f(t, y) = y^2 + t$ and $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = 2y$ are continuous at $(0, 0)$.

Problem 2. Consider $y' = 2\sqrt{|y|}$ with $y(0) = 0$. Show that $y(t) = 0$ is a solution and check if the uniqueness condition is satisfied at the origin.
Reveal solution
  1. Substitute $y(t) = 0$ into the ODE: $y' = 0$ and $2\sqrt{|0|} = 0$. Since $0 = 0$, it is a solution.
  2. Identify $f(t, y) = 2\sqrt{|y|}$.
  3. Compute the partial derivative: $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{|y|}}$ (for $y \neq 0$).
  4. Evaluate at the initial point $y = 0$: the expression $\frac{1}{\sqrt{0}}$ is undefined (approaches infinity).
  5. The uniqueness condition is not satisfied.

Answer: The uniqueness condition is not satisfied because $\frac{\partial f}{\partial y}$ is undefined at $y=0$.

Problem 3. For the ODE $y' = \frac{1}{t-1} y$, does a unique solution exist for the initial condition $y(1) = 2$? Why or why not?
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $f(t, y) = \frac{y}{t-1}$.
  2. Check continuity of $f$ at the point $(1, 2)$.
  3. The denominator $t-1$ becomes $1-1 = 0$ at $t=1$.
  4. Since the function $f$ is undefined at $t=1$, it is not continuous at the initial point.
  5. Therefore, the existence of a solution is not guaranteed by the Picard theorem.

Answer: No, because $f(t, y)$ is not continuous at $t=1$.

L6. Separable equations

Module 0  2026-08-10  ·  10:50  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the differential equation $y' = t^2 y$.
Reveal solution
  1. Separate the variables: $\frac{1}{y} dy = t^2 dt$.
  2. Integrate both sides: $\int \frac{1}{y} dy = \int t^2 dt$.
  3. Compute integrals: $\ln|y| = \frac{1}{3}t^3 + C$.
  4. Exponentiate: $|y| = e^{\frac{1}{3}t^3 + C} = e^C e^{\frac{1}{3}t^3}$.
  5. Simplify constant: $y(t) = A e^{\frac{1}{3}t^3}$.

Answer: $y(t) = A e^{\frac{1}{3}t^3}$

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y' = 2ty^2$ with $y(0) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Separate variables: $\frac{1}{y^2} dy = 2t dt$.
  2. Integrate: $\int y^{-2} dy = \int 2t dt \implies -\frac{1}{y} = t^2 + C$.
  3. Apply initial condition $y(0)=1$: $-\frac{1}{1} = 0^2 + C \implies C = -1$.
  4. Substitute $C$ back: $-\frac{1}{y} = t^2 - 1$.
  5. Solve for $y$: $\frac{1}{y} = 1 - t^2 \implies y = \frac{1}{1-t^2}$.

Answer: $y(t) = \frac{1}{1-t^2}$

Problem 3. Find the general solution to $y' = y \cos(t)$. Identify any equilibrium solutions.
Reveal solution
  1. Check for equilibrium: $h(y) = y = 0 \implies y(t) = 0$ is a solution.
  2. Separate variables: $\frac{1}{y} dy = \cos(t) dt$.
  3. Integrate: $\ln|y| = \sin(t) + C$.
  4. Exponentiate: $y = A e^{\sin(t)}$.

Answer: $y(t) = A e^{\sin(t)}$ and $y(t) = 0$

L7. First-order linear equations and integrating factors

Module 0  2026-08-11  ·  11:51  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the initial value problem $y' + 2y = e^{-t}$ with $y(0) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P(t) = 2$ and $Q(t) = e^{-t}$.
  2. Compute the integrating factor $\mu(t) = e^{\int 2 dt} = e^{2t}$.
  3. Multiply the ODE by $e^{2t}$ to get $\frac{d}{dt}(e^{2t}y) = e^{2t}e^{-t} = e^t$.
  4. Integrate both sides: $e^{2t}y = e^t + C$.
  5. Solve for $y$: $y = e^{-t} + Ce^{-2t}$.
  6. Use $y(0) = 1$: $1 = 1 + C \implies C = 0$.
  7. The particular solution is $y = e^{-t}$.

Answer: $y = e^{-t}$

Problem 2. Find the general solution for $y' - \frac{1}{t}y = t^2$ for $t > 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P(t) = -1/t$ and $Q(t) = t^2$.
  2. Compute $\mu(t) = e^{\int -1/t dt} = e^{-\ln t} = e^{\ln(1/t)} = 1/t$.
  3. Multiply the ODE by $1/t$: $\frac{d}{dt}(\frac{1}{t}y) = \frac{1}{t}t^2 = t$.
  4. Integrate both sides: $\frac{1}{t}y = \frac{1}{2}t^2 + C$.
  5. Solve for $y$: $y = \frac{1}{2}t^3 + Ct$.

Answer: $y = \frac{1}{2}t^3 + Ct$

Problem 3. Solve $y' + ty = t e^{-t^2/2}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $P(t) = t$ and $Q(t) = t e^{-t^2/2}$.
  2. Compute $\mu(t) = e^{\int t dt} = e^{t^2/2}$.
  3. Multiply the ODE by $e^{t^2/2}$: $\frac{d}{dt}(e^{t^2/2}y) = e^{t^2/2} t e^{-t^2/2} = t$.
  4. Integrate both sides: $e^{t^2/2}y = \frac{1}{2}t^2 + C$.
  5. Solve for $y$: $y = (\frac{1}{2}t^2 + C)e^{-t^2/2}$.

Answer: $y = (\frac{1}{2}t^2 + C)e^{-t^2/2}$

L8. Exact equations

Module 0  2026-08-12  ·  10:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the exact equation $(3t^2 + 2ty) dt + t^2 dy = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $M = 3t^2 + 2ty$ and $N = t^2$.
  2. Check exactness: $\frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = 2t$ and $\frac{\partial N}{\partial t} = 2t$. It is exact.
  3. Integrate $M$ with respect to $t$: $\psi = \int (3t^2 + 2ty) dt = t^3 + t^2 y + g(y)$.
  4. Differentiate $\psi$ with respect to $y$: $\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial y} = t^2 + g'(y)$.
  5. Set equal to $N$: $t^2 + g'(y) = t^2 \implies g'(y) = 0 \implies g(y) = C_1$.
  6. The general solution is $t^3 + t^2 y = C$.

Answer: t^3 + t^2 y = C

Problem 2. Find the particular solution to $(2t + y) dt + (t + 2y) dy = 0$ passing through $(1, 1)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Check exactness: $\frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = 1$ and $\frac{\partial N}{\partial t} = 1$. Exact.
  2. Integrate $M$: $\psi = \int (2t + y) dt = t^2 + ty + g(y)$.
  3. Differentiate $\psi$ wrt $y$: $t + g'(y) = t + 2y \implies g'(y) = 2y \implies g(y) = y^2$.
  4. General solution: $t^2 + ty + y^2 = C$.
  5. Apply $(1, 1)$: $1^2 + (1)(1) + 1^2 = 3$, so $C = 3$.

Answer: t^2 + ty + y^2 = 3

Problem 3. Solve the equation $\cos(t) e^y dt + \sin(t) e^y dy = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Check exactness: $\frac{\partial M}{\partial y} = \cos(t) e^y$ and $\frac{\partial N}{\partial t} = \cos(t) e^y$. Exact.
  2. Integrate $M$: $\psi = \int \cos(t) e^y dt = \sin(t) e^y + g(y)$.
  3. Differentiate $\psi$ wrt $y$: $\sin(t) e^y + g'(y) = \sin(t) e^y \implies g'(y) = 0$.
  4. General solution: $\sin(t) e^y = C$.

Answer: \sin(t) e^y = C

L9. Substitution methods: Bernoulli and homogeneous equations

Module 0  2026-08-13  ·  9:17  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the Bernoulli equation $y' + \frac{1}{t}y = ty^3$ for $t > 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $n = 3$, so use substitution $v = y^{1-3} = y^{-2}$.
  2. Compute $v' = -2y^{-3}y'$.
  3. Multiply the ODE by $-2y^{-3}$ to get $-2y^{-3}y' - \frac{2}{t}y^{-2} = -2t$.
  4. Substitute $v$ and $v'$ to get $v' - \frac{2}{t}v = -2t$.
  5. Use integrating factor $\mu(t) = e^{\int -2/t dt} = t^{-2}$.
  6. Solve $t^{-2}v = \int -2t(t^{-2}) dt = -2\ln|t| + C$.
  7. Find $v = t^2(-2\ln|t| + C)$ and substitute back $y = \pm 1/\sqrt{v}$.

Answer: $y = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{t^2(C - 2\ln|t|)}}$

Problem 2. Solve the homogeneous equation $y' = \frac{y^2 + t^2}{ty}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Rewrite as $y' = \frac{y}{t} + \frac{t}{y}$, which is $f(v) = v + 1/v$ where $v = y/t$.
  2. Substitute $y' = v + tv'$, so $v + tv' = v + 1/v$.
  3. Simplify to $tv' = 1/v$.
  4. Separate variables: $v dv = \frac{1}{t} dt$.
  5. Integrate: $\frac{1}{2}v^2 = \ln|t| + C$.
  6. Substitute $v = y/t$: $\frac{y^2}{2t^2} = \ln|t| + C$.

Answer: $y^2 = 2t^2(\ln|t| + C)$

Problem 3. Solve $y' = \frac{y}{t} + t^2 y^2$ with $y(1) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. This is a Bernoulli equation with $n = 2$. Use $v = y^{1-2} = y^{-1}$.
  2. Then $v' = -y^{-2}y'$.
  3. Multiply ODE by $-y^{-2}$: $-y^{-2}y' = -y^{-2}(y/t) - t^2$.
  4. Substitute: $v' = -v/t - t^2$, or $v' + \frac{1}{t}v = -t^2$.
  5. Integrating factor $\mu(t) = e^{\int 1/t dt} = t$.
  6. Solve $tv = \int -t^3 dt = -\frac{1}{4}t^4 + C$.
  7. Find $v = -\frac{1}{4}t^3 + C/t$.
  8. Substitute $y = 1/v$: $y = \frac{1}{C/t - t^3/4}$.
  9. Use $y(1) = 1$: $1 = \frac{1}{C - 1/4} \implies C = 5/4$.

Answer: $y = \frac{4t}{5 - t^4}$

L10. Module 0 review + self-test

Module 0  2026-08-14  ·  9:29  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the initial value problem $y' + 2y = 4$ with $y(0) = 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the equation as first order linear with $P(t) = 2$ and $Q(t) = 4$.
  2. Compute the integrating factor $\mu(t) = e^{\int 2 dt} = e^{2t}$.
  3. Multiply the ODE by $\mu(t)$ to get $(e^{2t}y)' = 4e^{2t}$.
  4. Integrate both sides: $e^{2t}y = 2e^{2t} + C$.
  5. Solve for $y$: $y = 2 + Ce^{-2t}$.
  6. Apply $y(0) = 3$: $3 = 2 + C \implies C = 1$.

Answer: $y(t) = 2 + e^{-2t}$

Problem 2. Solve the differential equation $y' = \frac{y^2}{t^2}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the equation as homogeneous since the right side depends only on $y/t$.
  2. Substitute $v = y/t$, so $y = vt$ and $y' = v + tv'$.
  3. Rewrite the ODE: $v + tv' = v^2$.
  4. Separate variables: $tv' = v^2 - v \implies \frac{dv}{v(v-1)} = \frac{dt}{t}$.
  5. Integrate using partial fractions: $\ln|v-1| - \ln|v| = \ln|t| + C$.
  6. Simplify: $\frac{v-1}{v} = Ct \implies 1 - \frac{1}{v} = Ct$.
  7. Substitute back $v = y/t$: $1 - \frac{t}{y} = Ct$.

Answer: $y(t) = \frac{t}{1 - Ct}$

Problem 3. Solve the Bernoulli equation $y' + \frac{1}{t}y = ty^2$ for $t > 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify as Bernoulli with $n = 2$.
  2. Substitute $v = y^{1-2} = y^{-1}$, so $v' = -y^{-2}y'$.
  3. Divide the original ODE by $y^2$: $y^{-2}y' + \frac{1}{t}y^{-1} = t$.
  4. Substitute $v$: $-v' + \frac{1}{t}v = t \implies v' - \frac{1}{t}v = -t$.
  5. Find integrating factor $\mu(t) = e^{\int -1/t dt} = e^{-\ln t} = 1/t$.
  6. Multiply: $(v/t)' = -1$.
  7. Integrate: $v/t = -t + C \implies v = -t^2 + Ct$.
  8. Substitute back $y = 1/v$.

Answer: $y(t) = \frac{1}{Ct - t^2}$

Module 1 — First-Order Modelling (12/12)

L11. The modelling loop: world -> equation -> solution -> world

Module 1  2026-08-15  ·  12:50  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A metal sphere is heated to $100$ degrees Celsius and then placed in a room with a constant temperature of $20$ degrees Celsius. The rate of change of the sphere's temperature $T$ is proportional to the difference between $T$ and the room temperature. Write the ODE and find the particular solution $T(t)$ if the temperature after $10$ minutes is $60$ degrees Celsius.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Translate the rule to an ODE. The rate of change is $dT/dt$. The difference is $(T - 20)$. Since it is cooling, the rate is negative: $dT/dt = -k(T - 20)$.
  2. Step 2: Solve the separable ODE. $\int \frac{1}{T-20} dT = \int -k dt$, which gives $\ln(T-20) = -kt + C$, or $T(t) = 20 + Ce^{-kt}$.
  3. Step 3: Use initial condition $T(0) = 100$. $100 = 20 + C e^0$, so $C = 80$. The solution is $T(t) = 20 + 80e^{-kt}$.
  4. Step 4: Use $T(10) = 60$ to find $k$. $60 = 20 + 80e^{-10k} \implies 40 = 80e^{-10k} \implies 0.5 = e^{-10k}$. Thus $-10k = \ln(0.5)$, so $k = \frac{\ln(2)}{10} \approx 0.0693$.

Answer: $T(t) = 20 + 80e^{-0.0693t}$

Problem 2. A population of fish in a pond grows at a rate proportional to the current population $P$, but fish are harvested at a constant rate of $500$ fish per year. If the pond starts with $2000$ fish and the growth constant is $k = 0.1$ per year, find the equation for $P(t)$ and determine if the population will eventually go extinct.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Write the ODE. Growth is $0.1P$ and harvest is $-500$. So $dP/dt = 0.1P - 500$.
  2. Step 2: Solve the linear ODE. This is separable: $dP/(0.1P - 500) = dt$. Integrating gives $10 \ln(0.1P - 500) = t + C$, or $0.1P - 500 = Ae^{0.1t}$.
  3. Step 3: Use $P(0) = 2000$. $0.1(2000) - 500 = A e^0 \implies 200 - 500 = A \implies A = -300$.
  4. Step 4: Solve for $P$. $0.1P = 500 - 300e^{0.1t} \implies P(t) = 5000 - 3000e^{0.1t}$.
  5. Step 5: Analyze long term behavior. As $t \to \infty$, $e^{0.1t} \to \infty$, so $P(t) \to -\infty$. The population will hit zero and go extinct.

Answer: $P(t) = 5000 - 3000e^{0.1t}$; Yes, it goes extinct.

Problem 3. A tank contains $500$ liters of brine with $20$ kg of salt. Brine containing $0.1$ kg of salt per liter flows in at $5$ L/min. The mixture flows out at $5$ L/min. Find the amount of salt $y(t)$ in the tank at any time $t$ and find the steady state amount of salt as $t \to \infty$.
Reveal solution
  1. Step 1: Write the ODE. Rate in is $0.1 \text{ kg/L} \times 5 \text{ L/min} = 0.5 \text{ kg/min}$. Rate out is $(y/500) \text{ kg/L} \times 5 \text{ L/min} = 0.01y \text{ kg/min}$.
  2. Step 2: The ODE is $dy/dt = 0.5 - 0.01y$.
  3. Step 3: Solve the ODE. $\int \frac{1}{0.5 - 0.01y} dy = \int dt \implies -100 \ln(0.5 - 0.01y) = t + C$.
  4. Step 4: $0.5 - 0.01y = Ae^{-0.01t} \implies 0.01y = 0.5 - Ae^{-0.01t} \implies y(t) = 50 - 100Ae^{-0.01t}$.
  5. Step 5: Use $y(0) = 20$. $20 = 50 - 100A \implies 100A = 30$. So $y(t) = 50 - 30e^{-0.01t}$.
  6. Step 6: Steady state is $\lim_{t \to \infty} (50 - 30e^{-0.01t}) = 50$ kg.

Answer: $y(t) = 50 - 30e^{-0.01t}$; Steady state is $50$ kg.

L12. Exponential growth and decay; radiocarbon dating

Module 1  2026-08-16  ·  10:44  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A sample of organic material is found to have $40\%$ of the carbon-14 found in living organisms. Using a half-life of $5730$ years, determine the age of the sample.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the ratio $y/y_0 = 0.40$.
  2. Calculate the decay constant $k = \ln(0.5)/5730 \approx -0.00012097$.
  3. Set up the equation $0.40 = e^{kt}$.
  4. Solve for $t$ by taking the natural log: $\ln(0.40) = kt$.
  5. Compute $t = \ln(0.40)/(-0.00012097) \approx 7575$ years.

Answer: 7575 \text{ years}

Problem 2. A population of insects grows at a rate proportional to its size. If the population doubles every $12$ days, how long will it take for the population to triple in size?
Reveal solution
  1. Use the doubling time to find $k$: $2y_0 = y_0 e^{12k} \implies k = \ln(2)/12$.
  2. Set up the equation for tripling: $3y_0 = y_0 e^{kt}$.
  3. Simplify to $3 = e^{(\ln(2)/12)t}$.
  4. Take the natural log: $\ln(3) = (\ln(2)/12)t$.
  5. Solve for $t = 12 \ln(3)/\ln(2) \approx 19.02$ days.

Answer: 19.02 \text{ days}

Problem 3. A radioactive substance has a half-life of $150$ years. If you start with $500$ mg, how many years will it take for the substance to decay to $50$ mg?
Reveal solution
  1. Find $k = \ln(0.5)/150 \approx -0.004621$.
  2. Set up the equation $50 = 500 e^{kt}$.
  3. Divide by $500$: $0.1 = e^{kt}$.
  4. Take the natural log: $\ln(0.1) = kt$.
  5. Solve for $t = \ln(0.1)/-0.004621 \approx 498.29$ years.

Answer: 498.29 \text{ years}

L13. Newton's law of cooling

Module 1  2026-08-17  ·  11:43  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A metal rod is placed in a room at $20^{\circ}C$. The rod's initial temperature is $100^{\circ}C$. After $1$ hour, the temperature is $80^{\circ}C$. Find the temperature of the rod after $2$ hours.
Reveal solution
  1. Use the model $T(t) = 20 + (100 - 20)e^{-kt} = 20 + 80e^{-kt}$.
  2. Use $T(1) = 80$ to find $k$: $80 = 20 + 80e^{-k} \implies 60 = 80e^{-k} \implies e^{-k} = 0.75$.
  3. Find $k = -\ln(0.75) \approx 0.2877$.
  4. Calculate $T(2) = 20 + 80(e^{-k})^2 = 20 + 80(0.75)^2$.
  5. Compute $T(2) = 20 + 80(0.5625) = 20 + 45 = 65$.

Answer: 65^{\circ}C

Problem 2. A cake is removed from an oven at $180^{\circ}C$ and placed in a room at $22^{\circ}C$. After $10$ minutes, the cake is $150^{\circ}C$. How many minutes will it take for the cake to reach $100^{\circ}C$?
Reveal solution
  1. Model: $T(t) = 22 + (180 - 22)e^{-kt} = 22 + 158e^{-kt}$.
  2. Find $k$ using $T(10) = 150$: $150 = 22 + 158e^{-10k} \implies 128 = 158e^{-10k} \implies e^{-10k} = 128/158 \approx 0.8101$.
  3. $-10k = \ln(0.8101) \implies k \approx 0.02106$.
  4. Set $T(t) = 100$: $100 = 22 + 158e^{-0.02106t} \implies 78 = 158e^{-0.02106t}$.
  5. Divide by $158$: $e^{-0.02106t} \approx 0.4937$.
  6. Take log: $-0.02106t = \ln(0.4937) \approx -0.7058 \implies t \approx 33.5$.

Answer: \approx 33.5 \text{ minutes}

Problem 3. An object is cooling in a room at $T_s$. Its temperature $T(t)$ is observed to follow $T(t) = T_s + 50e^{-0.05t}$. If the object's temperature is $40^{\circ}C$ at $t=0$ and the room is $T_s$, find $T_s$ and the temperature after $20$ minutes.
Reveal solution
  1. At $t=0$, $T(0) = T_s + 50e^0 = T_s + 50$.
  2. Given $T(0) = 40$, we have $40 = T_s + 50 \implies T_s = -10^{\circ}C$.
  3. The model is $T(t) = -10 + 50e^{-0.05t}$.
  4. For $t=20$: $T(20) = -10 + 50e^{-0.05(20)} = -10 + 50e^{-1}$.
  5. Using $e^{-1} \approx 0.3679$, $T(20) = -10 + 50(0.3679) = -10 + 18.395 = 8.395$.

Answer: T_s = -10^{\circ}C, T(20) \approx 8.4^{\circ}C

L14. Mixing problems — tanks and pollutants

Module 1  2026-08-18  ·  10:28  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A $500$ L tank initially contains $10$ kg of salt. Brine containing $1$ kg/L of salt flows in at $5$ L/min, and the well-mixed solution flows out at $5$ L/min. Find the amount of salt $x(t)$ at any time $t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify parameters: $V = 500$, $r_{in} = 5$, $c_{in} = 1$, $r_{out} = 5$.
  2. Set up the ODE: $x' = (5 \times 1) - (5 \times x/500)$, which simplifies to $x' = 5 - x/100$.
  3. Solve using integrating factor $e^{t/100}$: $x(t) = 500 + Ce^{-t/100}$.
  4. Apply initial condition $x(0) = 10$: $10 = 500 + C \implies C = -490$.
  5. Final solution: $x(t) = 500 - 490e^{-t/100}$.

Answer: x(t) = 500 - 490e^{-t/100}

Problem 2. A $200$ L tank is filled with pure water. Brine with $0.5$ kg/L flows in at $3$ L/min and flows out at $3$ L/min. How long does it take for the salt amount to reach $50$ kg?
Reveal solution
  1. Set up ODE: $x' = (3 \times 0.5) - (3 \times x/200) = 1.5 - 0.015x$.
  2. Solve the ODE: $x(t) = 100(1 - e^{-0.015t})$.
  3. Set $x(t) = 50$: $50 = 100(1 - e^{-0.015t}) \implies 0.5 = 1 - e^{-0.015t}$.
  4. Solve for $t$: $e^{-0.015t} = 0.5 \implies -0.015t = \ln(0.5)$.
  5. Calculate $t$: $t = \ln(0.5) / -0.015 \approx 46.21$ minutes.

Answer: t \approx 46.21 \text{ minutes}

Problem 3. A $100$ L tank contains pure water. Brine with $2$ g/L flows in at $5$ L/min, but flows out at $3$ L/min. Find the amount of salt $x(t)$ in the tank after $10$ minutes.
Reveal solution
  1. Volume function: $V(t) = 100 + (5-3)t = 100 + 2t$.
  2. Set up ODE: $x' = (5 \times 2) - (3 \times x/(100 + 2t)) = 10 - 3x/(100 + 2t)$.
  3. Integrating factor: $\int \frac{3}{100+2t} dt = \frac{3}{2} \ln(100+2t)$, so $\mu(t) = (100+2t)^{1.5}$.
  4. Integrate: $x(100+2t)^{1.5} = \int 10(100+2t)^{1.5} dt = \frac{10}{2 \times 2.5} (100+2t)^{2.5} + C = 2(100+2t)^{2.5} + C$.
  5. General solution: $x(t) = 2(100+2t) + C(100+2t)^{-1.5}$.
  6. Initial condition $x(0)=0$: $0 = 200 + C(100)^{-1.5} \implies C = -200 \times 1000 = -200,000$.
  7. At $t=10$: $x(10) = 2(120) - 200,000(120)^{-1.5} \approx 240 - 152.1 = 87.9$ g.

Answer: x(10) \approx 87.9 \text{ g}

L15. The logistic equation — growth with limits

Module 1  2026-08-19  ·  11:01  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A bacteria colony grows according to the logistic equation with a carrying capacity of $K = 5000$ and an intrinsic growth rate of $r = 0.2$ per hour. If the initial population is $y(0) = 500$, find the population after $t = 5$ hours.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify constants: $K = 5000$, $r = 0.2$, $y_0 = 500$.
  2. Solve for $C$: $500 = 5000 / (1 + C) \implies 1 + C = 10 \implies C = 9$.
  3. Write the solution: $y(t) = 5000 / (1 + 9 e^{-0.2t})$.
  4. Calculate $y(5) = 5000 / (1 + 9 e^{-0.2 \cdot 5}) = 5000 / (1 + 9 e^{-1}) \approx 5000 / (1 + 3.31) \approx 1160$.

Answer: $y(5) \approx 1160$

Problem 2. A population of deer in a forest is modeled by $y' = 0.05y(1 - y/2000)$. If the current population is $2500$, will the population increase or decrease? Find the population after $10$ years.
Reveal solution
  1. Since $y(0) = 2500$ is greater than $K = 2000$, the term $(1 - y/K)$ is negative, so $y'$ is negative and the population decreases.
  2. Solve for $C$: $2500 = 2000 / (1 + C) \implies 1 + C = 0.8 \implies C = -0.2$.
  3. Use the formula $y(t) = 2000 / (1 - 0.2 e^{-0.05t})$.
  4. For $t = 10$: $y(10) = 2000 / (1 - 0.2 e^{-0.5}) \approx 2000 / (1 - 0.2 \cdot 0.6065) \approx 2000 / 0.8787 \approx 2275$.

Answer: Decreases; $y(10) \approx 2275$

Problem 3. A species of plant is introduced to an island. The population grows logistically. After $1$ year, the population is $100$. After $2$ years, it is $400$. If the carrying capacity is $1000$, find the intrinsic growth rate $r$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use $y(t) = 1000 / (1 + C e^{-rt})$.
  2. At $t=1$: $100 = 1000 / (1 + C e^{-r}) \implies 1 + C e^{-r} = 10 \implies C e^{-r} = 9$.
  3. At $t=2$: $400 = 1000 / (1 + C e^{-2r}) \implies 1 + C e^{-2r} = 2.5 \implies C e^{-2r} = 1.5$.
  4. Divide the two equations: $(C e^{-r}) / (C e^{-2r}) = 9 / 1.5 \implies e^r = 6$.
  5. Solve for $r$: $r = \ln(6) \approx 1.79$.

Answer: $r = \ln(6) \approx 1.79$

L16. Harvesting and critical thresholds

Module 1  2026-08-20  ·  11:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A population follows the model $y' = 0.5y (1 - y/800) - 50$. Find the two equilibrium populations and identify which is stable and which is the collapse threshold.
Reveal solution
  1. Set $0.5y (1 - y/800) - 50 = 0$.
  2. Multiply by $2$ to simplify: $y (1 - y/800) - 100 = 0$.
  3. Expand: $y - y^2/800 - 100 = 0$.
  4. Multiply by $-800$: $y^2 - 800y + 80000 = 0$.
  5. Use quadratic formula: $y = [800 \pm \sqrt{640000 - 320000}] / 2 = [800 \pm \sqrt{320000}] / 2$.
  6. Calculate: $y = 400 \pm 200\sqrt{2}$, so $y \approx 682.8$ and $y \approx 117.2$.

Answer: Stable equilibrium at $y \approx 682.8$, collapse threshold at $y \approx 117.2$.

Problem 2. For a population with $r = 0.2$ and $K = 5000$, what is the maximum sustainable harvest rate $H_{max}$? What happens if $H = 260$?
Reveal solution
  1. Use the formula $H_{max} = rK/4$.
  2. Substitute values: $H_{max} = (0.2 \cdot 5000) / 4 = 1000 / 4 = 250$.
  3. Compare $H = 260$ to $H_{max} = 250$.
  4. Since $260 > 250$, the harvest rate exceeds the maximum growth rate of the population.

Answer: $H_{max} = 250$; if $H = 260$, the population will collapse regardless of the initial size.

Problem 3. A manager wants to maintain a population at exactly $y = 400$ with $r = 1$ and $K = 1000$. What constant harvest rate $H$ should be set, and is this equilibrium stable?
Reveal solution
  1. Set $y' = 0$ at $y = 400$: $1(400)(1 - 400/1000) - H = 0$.
  2. Calculate: $400(1 - 0.4) - H = 400(0.6) - H = 240 - H = 0$.
  3. Solve for $H$: $H = 240$.
  4. Check stability: The growth parabola $y(1-y/1000)$ peaks at $y=500$. Since $400 < 500$, this is the lower equilibrium point.

Answer: $H = 240$; the equilibrium is unstable (it is the collapse threshold).

L17. Falling with air resistance; terminal velocity

Module 1  2026-08-21  ·  10:56  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A spherical bead with mass $m = 0.001$ kg falls through oil with a drag coefficient $c = 0.0002$ kg/s. Using $g = 9.8$ m/s$^2$, find the terminal velocity and the expression for $v(t)$ if the bead is dropped from rest.
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $k = c/m = 0.0002 / 0.001 = 0.2$ s$^{-1}$.
  2. Calculate $v_{term} = g/k = 9.8 / 0.2 = 49$ m/s.
  3. Use the formula $v(t) = v_{term}(1 - e^{-kt})$ for an object dropped from rest.
  4. Substitute the values: $v(t) = 49(1 - e^{-0.2t})$.

Answer: v_{term} = 49 \text{ m/s}, v(t) = 49(1 - e^{-0.2t})

Problem 2. An object reaches $90\%$ of its terminal velocity in $10$ seconds. Find the value of the constant $k = c/m$.
Reveal solution
  1. The velocity for an object dropped from rest is $v(t) = v_{term}(1 - e^{-kt})$.
  2. Set $v(10) = 0.9 v_{term}$, so $0.9 v_{term} = v_{term}(1 - e^{-10k})$.
  3. Divide by $v_{term}$ to get $0.9 = 1 - e^{-10k}$, which simplifies to $e^{-10k} = 0.1$.
  4. Take the natural logarithm of both sides: $-10k = \ln(0.1)$.
  5. Solve for $k$: $k = -\ln(0.1)/10 \approx 2.303/10 = 0.2303$ s$^{-1}$.

Answer: k \approx 0.2303 \text{ s}^{-1}

Problem 3. A projectile of mass $m$ is thrown downwards with an initial velocity $v_0$ that is exactly twice its terminal velocity $v_{term}$. Show that the velocity at any time $t$ is given by $v(t) = v_{term}(1 + e^{-kt})$.
Reveal solution
  1. The general solution to $v' = g - kv$ is $v(t) = v_{term} + C e^{-kt}$.
  2. We are given $v(0) = 2 v_{term}$.
  3. Substitute $t=0$ into the general solution: $2 v_{term} = v_{term} + C e^{0}$.
  4. Solve for $C$: $C = 2 v_{term} - v_{term} = v_{term}$.
  5. Substitute $C$ back into the general solution: $v(t) = v_{term} + v_{term} e^{-kt}$.
  6. Factor out $v_{term}$ to get $v(t) = v_{term}(1 + e^{-kt})$.

Answer: v(t) = v_{term}(1 + e^{-kt})

L18. RC circuits

Module 1  2026-08-22  ·  10:25  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A circuit consists of a $12\text{ V}$ battery, a $200\Omega$ resistor, and a $0.01\text{ F}$ capacitor. Find the time constant $\tau$ and the charge $q(t)$ at $t = 3\text{ s}$ if the capacitor starts empty.
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $\tau = RC = 200 \times 0.01 = 2\text{ s}$.
  2. Calculate $Q_{max} = CV = 0.01 \times 12 = 0.12\text{ C}$.
  3. Use the charging formula $q(t) = 0.12(1 - e^{-t/2})$.
  4. Substitute $t = 3$: $q(3) = 0.12(1 - e^{-1.5}) \approx 0.12(1 - 0.223) \approx 0.0932\text{ C}$.

Answer: $\tau = 2\text{ s}, q(3) \approx 0.0932\text{ C}$

Problem 2. A capacitor with an initial charge of $0.8\text{ C}$ is discharged through a resistor of $100\Omega$ and a capacitor of $0.05\text{ F}$. How long does it take for the charge to drop to $0.2\text{ C}$?
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $\tau = RC = 100 \times 0.05 = 5\text{ s}$.
  2. Set up the discharge equation: $0.2 = 0.8 e^{-t/5}$.
  3. Divide by $0.8$: $0.25 = e^{-t/5}$.
  4. Take the natural log: $\ln(0.25) = -t/5$.
  5. Solve for $t$: $t = -5 \ln(0.25) = 5 \ln(4) \approx 6.93\text{ s}$.

Answer: $t \approx 6.93\text{ s}$

Problem 3. In a charging RC circuit, the charge reaches $0.05\text{ C}$ at $t = 1\text{ s}$ and $0.08\text{ C}$ at $t = 2\text{ s}$, starting from $q(0) = 0$. Find the time constant $\tau$ and the source voltage $V$ if $R = 100\Omega$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use the ratio $q(2)/q(1) = (1 - e^{-2/\tau}) / (1 - e^{-1/\tau})$.
  2. Let $u = e^{-1/\tau}$. Then $0.08/0.05 = (1 - u^2) / (1 - u) = 1 + u$.
  3. Solve for $u$: $1.6 = 1 + u \implies u = 0.6$.
  4. Solve for $\tau$: $e^{-1/\tau} = 0.6 \implies -1/\tau = \ln(0.6) \implies \tau = -1/\ln(0.6) \approx 2.23\text{ s}$.
  5. Find $C$: $C = \tau / R = 2.23 / 100 = 0.0223\text{ F}$.
  6. Find $Q_{max}$: $0.05 = Q_{max}(1 - 0.6) \implies Q_{max} = 0.05 / 0.4 = 0.125\text{ C}$.
  7. Find $V$: $V = Q_{max} / C = 0.125 / 0.0223 \approx 5.61\text{ V}$.

Answer: $\tau \approx 2.23\text{ s}, V \approx 5.61\text{ V}$

L19. Compound interest, loans, and mortgages as ODEs

Module 1  2026-08-23  ·  10:49  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A loan of $15,000$ is taken at an annual interest rate of $6\%$ with a constant repayment of $2,000$ per year. Find the balance after $5$ years.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify constants: $B_0 = 15000$, $r = 0.06$, $P = 2000$.
  2. Calculate equilibrium: $P/r = 2000 / 0.06 = 33333.33$.
  3. Use formula: $B(t) = 33333.33 + (15000 - 33333.33)e^{0.06t}$.
  4. Substitute $t=5$: $B(5) = 33333.33 - 18333.33 e^{0.3}$.
  5. Compute: $B(5) \approx 33333.33 - 18333.33(1.3498) \approx 8586.33$.

Answer: $8,586.33$

Problem 2. How long will it take to pay off a $50,000$ loan at $4\%$ interest if the annual repayment is $6,000$?
Reveal solution
  1. Identify constants: $B_0 = 50000$, $r = 0.04$, $P = 6000$.
  2. Use the payoff time formula: $T = \frac{1}{0.04} \ln \left( \frac{6000}{6000 - 0.04(50000)} \right)$.
  3. Simplify denominator: $6000 - 2000 = 4000$.
  4. Calculate ratio: $6000 / 4000 = 1.5$.
  5. Compute $T = 25 \ln(1.5) \approx 25(0.4055) \approx 10.14$.

Answer: 10.14 years

Problem 3. You start a savings account with $5,000$ at $3\%$ interest and deposit $1,200$ per year. What is the balance after $20$ years?
Reveal solution
  1. Identify constants: $B_0 = 5000$, $r = 0.03$, $P = -1200$ (since it is a deposit).
  2. The ODE is $B' = 0.03B + 1200$.
  3. Equilibrium $P/r = -1200 / 0.03 = -40000$.
  4. Use formula: $B(t) = -40000 + (5000 - (-40000))e^{0.03t} = -40000 + 45000e^{0.03t}$.
  5. Substitute $t=20$: $B(20) = -40000 + 45000e^{0.6} \approx -40000 + 45000(1.8221) \approx 41994.50$.

Answer: $41,994.50$

L20. Autonomous equations and equilibria — the phase line

Module 1  2026-08-24  ·  10:53  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the equilibrium solutions of $y' = y^3 - y$ and classify each as stable, unstable, or semi-stable.
Reveal solution
  1. Set $y^3 - y = 0$, which factors as $y(y-1)(y+1) = 0$.
  2. The equilibria are $y = -1, 0, 1$.
  3. For $y > 1$, $y' > 0$ (up). For $0 < y < 1$, $y' < 0$ (down). For $-1 < y < 0$, $y' > 0$ (up). For $y < -1$, $y' < 0$ (down).
  4. At $y = 1$, arrows point away (source). At $y = 0$, arrows point toward (sink). At $y = -1$, arrows point away (source).

Answer: $y = 0$ is stable; $y = 1$ and $y = -1$ are unstable.

Problem 2. Consider the autonomous equation $y' = y(2 - y)$. Determine the long-term behavior of the solution $y(t)$ if the initial condition is $y(0) = 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Find equilibria: $y(2 - y) = 0$ gives $y = 0$ and $y = 2$.
  2. Check the sign for $y > 2$: if $y = 3$, $y' = 3(2 - 3) = -3$, which is negative.
  3. Since the derivative is negative for $y > 2$, the solution $y(t)$ will decrease toward the equilibrium at $y = 2$.
  4. Because $y = 2$ is a sink (arrows from above point down, arrows from below point up), the solution converges to 2.

Answer: $y(t) \to 2$ as $t \to \infty$.

Problem 3. For what values of the constant $k$ does the equation $y' = y^2 - k$ have exactly one semi-stable equilibrium?
Reveal solution
  1. Equilibria occur where $y^2 - k = 0$, so $y^2 = k$.
  2. If $k > 0$, there are two distinct equilibria $y = \pm \sqrt{k}$, which are typically a sink and a source.
  3. If $k < 0$, there are no real equilibria.
  4. If $k = 0$, the equation is $y' = y^2$. We found in the lesson that $y = 0$ is a semi-stable equilibrium because $y^2 \ge 0$ for all $y$.

Answer: $k = 0$

L21. Stability on the phase line; bifurcation teaser

Module 1  2026-08-25  ·  10:29  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find all equilibrium solutions for the autonomous ODE $y' = y^3 - 4y$ and classify each as stable, unstable, or semi-stable.
Reveal solution
  1. Set $f(y) = y^3 - 4y = 0$. Factoring gives $y(y-2)(y+2) = 0$, so equilibria are $y = -2, 0, 2$.
  2. Compute the derivative $f'(y) = 3y^2 - 4$.
  3. At $y = -2$, $f'(-2) = 3(4) - 4 = 8 > 0$, so it is unstable.
  4. At $y = 0$, $f'(0) = -4 < 0$, so it is stable.
  5. At $y = 2$, $f'(2) = 3(4) - 4 = 8 > 0$, so it is unstable.

Answer: y = -2 (unstable), y = 0 (stable), y = 2 (unstable)

Problem 2. Consider the ODE $y' = y^2 - 3y + 2$. Determine the stability of its equilibria.
Reveal solution
  1. Set $y^2 - 3y + 2 = 0$. Factoring gives $(y-1)(y-2) = 0$, so equilibria are $y = 1$ and $y = 2$.
  2. Compute $f'(y) = 2y - 3$.
  3. At $y = 1$, $f'(1) = 2(1) - 3 = -1 < 0$, so it is stable.
  4. At $y = 2$, $f'(2) = 2(2) - 3 = 1 > 0$, so it is unstable.

Answer: y = 1 (stable), y = 2 (unstable)

Problem 3. Analyze the stability of the equilibrium at $y = 0$ for the equation $y' = y^3$. Is it stable, unstable, or semi-stable?
Reveal solution
  1. The equilibrium is at $y = 0$ since $f(0) = 0^3 = 0$.
  2. Compute $f'(y) = 3y^2$. At $y = 0$, $f'(0) = 0$, so the derivative test is inconclusive.
  3. Check the sign of $f(y) = y^3$. For $y > 0$, $f(y) > 0$ (flow is away from 0).
  4. For $y < 0$, $f(y) < 0$ (flow is away from 0).
  5. Since the flow is away from the equilibrium on both sides, it is unstable.

Answer: unstable

L22. Module 1 review + self-test

Module 1  2026-08-26  ·  11:36  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the initial value problem $y' = y \tan(t)$ with $y(0) = 5$.
Reveal solution
  1. Separate the variables: $\frac{1}{y} dy = \tan(t) dt$.
  2. Integrate both sides: $\ln|y| = -\ln|\cos(t)| + C$.
  3. Simplify using log laws: $\ln|y| = \ln|\sec(t)| + C$.
  4. Exponentiate: $y = A \sec(t)$.
  5. Apply initial condition $y(0) = 5$: $5 = A \sec(0) \implies A = 5$.

Answer: $y(t) = 5 \sec(t)$

Problem 2. A tank contains 50 liters of water with 100 grams of salt. Brine with 2 grams per liter flows in at 3 liters per minute, and the mixture flows out at 3 liters per minute. Find the ODE for the salt $y(t)$ and the equilibrium value.
Reveal solution
  1. Rate in: $3 \text{ L/min} \times 2 \text{ g/L} = 6 \text{ g/min}$.
  2. Rate out: $3 \text{ L/min} \times \frac{y}{50} \text{ g/L} = \frac{3y}{50} \text{ g/min}$.
  3. ODE: $\frac{dy}{dt} = 6 - \frac{3y}{50}$.
  4. Equilibrium: Set $\frac{dy}{dt} = 0 \implies 6 = \frac{3y}{50} \implies 300 = 3y \implies y = 100$.

Answer: $\frac{dy}{dt} = 6 - \frac{3y}{50}, \quad y^* = 100$

Problem 3. Consider the autonomous equation $y' = y(y-2)(y-4)$. Identify all equilibria and classify their stability.
Reveal solution
  1. Equilibria are the roots of $f(y) = y(y-2)(y-4)$, which are $y=0, 2, 4$.
  2. Compute $f'(y) = (y-2)(y-4) + y(y-4) + y(y-2)$.
  3. At $y=0$: $f'(0) = (-2)(-4) = 8 > 0 \implies$ Unstable.
  4. At $y=2$: $f'(2) = 2(2-4) = -4 < 0 \implies$ Stable.
  5. At $y=4$: $f'(4) = 4(4-2) = 8 > 0 \implies$ Unstable.

Answer: $y=0 \text{ (Unstable)}, y=2 \text{ (Stable)}, y=4 \text{ (Unstable)}$

Module 2 — Second-Order Linear ODEs (16/16)

L23. Why second order rules physics: F = ma as an ODE

Module 2  2026-08-27  ·  11:17  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A mass of $5\text{ kg}$ is attached to a spring with a constant $k = 20\text{ N/m}$. The system experiences a damping force proportional to velocity with $c = 3\text{ kg/s}$ and is driven by an external force $f(t) = 5\cos(2t)$. Write the second order ODE for the position $x(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify constants: $m = 5$, $c = 3$, $k = 20$.
  2. Apply Newton's second law: $m x'' = -c x' - k x + f(t)$.
  3. Substitute values: $5 x'' = -3 x' - 20 x + 5\cos(2t)$.
  4. Rearrange to standard form: $5 x'' + 3 x' + 20 x = 5\cos(2t)$.

Answer: 5 x'' + 3 x' + 20 x = 5\cos(2t)

Problem 2. A $2\text{ kg}$ mass is on a frictionless surface attached to a spring with $k = 18\text{ N/m}$. There is no external force. Write the ODE and verify if $x(t) = \sin(3t)$ is a solution.
Reveal solution
  1. Equation: $2 x'' = -18 x \implies x'' + 9 x = 0$.
  2. First derivative: $x'(t) = 3\cos(3t)$.
  3. Second derivative: $x''(t) = -9\sin(3t)$.
  4. Substitute into ODE: $-9\sin(3t) + 9\sin(3t) = 0$.
  5. The equation holds.

Answer: x'' + 9 x = 0; Yes, it is a solution.

Problem 3. A system is described by the ODE $x'' + 4 x' + 4 x = 0$. Describe the physical components of this system in terms of mass, damping, and spring constant, assuming $m = 1\text{ kg}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Compare $x'' + 4 x' + 4 x = 0$ to $m x'' + c x' + k x = 0$.
  2. Given $m = 1$, we see $c = 4$ and $k = 4$.
  3. The system consists of a $1\text{ kg}$ mass, a damping coefficient of $4\text{ kg/s}$, and a spring constant of $4\text{ N/m}$.

Answer: m = 1\text{ kg}, c = 4\text{ kg/s}, k = 4\text{ N/m}

L24. Linear independence of solutions; the Wronskian

Module 2  2026-08-28  ·  10:39  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Determine if $y_1 = e^{2t}$ and $y_2 = e^{-2t}$ are linearly independent by computing their Wronskian.
Reveal solution
  1. Find the derivatives: $y_1' = 2e^{2t}$ and $y_2' = -2e^{-2t}$.
  2. Set up the Wronskian: $W = (e^{2t})(-2e^{-2t}) - (e^{-2t})(2e^{2t})$.
  3. Simplify the terms: $W = -2(e^0) - 2(e^0) = -2 - 2 = -4$.
  4. Since $W = -4$, which is never zero, the functions are linearly independent.

Answer: Linearly independent, W = -4

Problem 2. Given the ODE $y'' - 4y = 0$, verify that $y_1 = e^{2t}$ and $y_2 = e^{-2t}$ form a fundamental set of solutions.
Reveal solution
  1. Verify $y_1$: $y_1'' = 4e^{2t}$, so $4e^{2t} - 4(e^{2t}) = 0$. Correct.
  2. Verify $y_2$: $y_2'' = 4e^{-2t}$, so $4e^{-2t} - 4(e^{-2t}) = 0$. Correct.
  3. Compute Wronskian: $W = (e^{2t})(-2e^{-2t}) - (e^{-2t})(2e^{2t}) = -4$.
  4. Since both are solutions and $W \neq 0$, they form a fundamental set.

Answer: They form a fundamental set because both solve the ODE and $W = -4 \neq 0$.

Problem 3. Find the general solution to $y'' + 9y = 0$ given that $y_1 = \sin(3t)$ and $y_2 = \cos(3t)$ are solutions.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute the Wronskian to ensure independence: $W = (\sin 3t)(-3\sin 3t) - (\cos 3t)(3\cos 3t)$.
  2. Simplify: $W = -3(\sin^2 3t + \cos^2 3t) = -3(1) = -3$.
  3. Since $W \neq 0$, the solutions are linearly independent.
  4. The general solution is the linear combination $y(t) = c_1 \sin(3t) + c_2 \cos(3t)$.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 \sin(3t) + c_2 \cos(3t)$

L25. Homogeneous constant-coefficient equations: the characteristic equation

Module 2  2026-08-29  ·  11:38  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the differential equation $y'' + 7y' + 10y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Write the characteristic equation: $r^2 + 7r + 10 = 0$.
  2. Factor the quadratic: $(r + 2)(r + 5) = 0$.
  3. Identify the roots: $r_1 = -2$ and $r_2 = -5$.
  4. Construct the general solution using the linear combination of exponentials.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 e^{-2t} + c_2 e^{-5t}$

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y'' - 4y' + 3y = 0$ with $y(0) = 2$ and $y'(0) = 5$.
Reveal solution
  1. Characteristic equation: $r^2 - 4r + 3 = 0$, which factors to $(r-1)(r-3)=0$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{3t}$.
  3. Use $y(0)=2$: $c_1 + c_2 = 2$.
  4. Find $y'(t) = c_1 e^t + 3c_2 e^{3t}$ and use $y'(0)=5$: $c_1 + 3c_2 = 5$.
  5. Subtract the first equation from the second: $2c_2 = 3$, so $c_2 = 1.5$.
  6. Substitute back: $c_1 + 1.5 = 2$, so $c_1 = 0.5$.

Answer: $y(t) = 0.5 e^t + 1.5 e^{3t}$

Problem 3. Determine the values of $k$ for which the general solution of $y'' + ky' + 4y = 0$ consists of two distinct real exponential terms.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^2 + kr + 4 = 0$.
  2. For the roots to be distinct and real, the discriminant must be strictly positive: $b^2 - 4ac > 0$.
  3. Substitute the coefficients: $k^2 - 4(1)(4) > 0$.
  4. Solve the inequality: $k^2 - 16 > 0$.
  5. This means $k^2 > 16$, which implies $k > 4$ or $k < -4$.

Answer: $k \text{ must be in the interval } (-\infty, -4) \cup (4, \infty)$

L26. Distinct real roots — overdamped worlds

Module 2  2026-08-30  ·  12:41  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the initial value problem $y'' + 5y' + 6y = 0$ with $y(0) = 2$ and $y'(0) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^2 + 5r + 6 = 0$, which factors as $(r+2)(r+3) = 0$.
  2. The roots are $r_1 = -2$ and $r_2 = -3$, so the general solution is $y(t) = c_1 e^{-2t} + c_2 e^{-3t}$.
  3. Using $y(0) = 2$, we get $c_1 + c_2 = 2$.
  4. The derivative is $y'(t) = -2c_1 e^{-2t} - 3c_2 e^{-3t}$. Using $y'(0) = 1$, we get $-2c_1 - 3c_2 = 1$.
  5. Solving the system: $2(c_1 + c_2) = 4$, so $(-2c_1 - 3c_2) + (2c_1 + 2c_2) = 1 + 4$, which gives $-c_2 = 5$, so $c_2 = -5$.
  6. Then $c_1 = 2 - (-5) = 7$.

Answer: $y(t) = 7e^{-2t} - 5e^{-3t}$

Problem 2. Find the general solution for $y'' - 4y = 0$ and describe the behavior as $t$ approaches infinity.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^2 - 4 = 0$, so $r^2 = 4$.
  2. The roots are $r = 2$ and $r = -2$.
  3. The general solution is $y(t) = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 e^{-2t}$.
  4. As $t$ approaches infinity, the $e^{2t}$ term grows without bound (unless $c_1 = 0$), so the solution is unstable.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 e^{-2t}$; unstable growth

Problem 3. A system is described by $y'' + 2y' = 0$ with $y(0) = 1$ and $y'(0) = -1$. Solve for $y(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^2 + 2r = 0$, which factors as $r(r+2) = 0$.
  2. The roots are $r_1 = 0$ and $r_2 = -2$.
  3. The general solution is $y(t) = c_1 e^{0t} + c_2 e^{-2t} = c_1 + c_2 e^{-2t}$.
  4. Using $y(0) = 1$, we get $c_1 + c_2 = 1$.
  5. The derivative is $y'(t) = -2c_2 e^{-2t}$. Using $y'(0) = -1$, we get $-2c_2 = -1$, so $c_2 = 1/2$.
  6. Then $c_1 = 1 - 1/2 = 1/2$.

Answer: $y(t) = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2}e^{-2t}$

L27. Repeated roots — critical damping

Module 2  2026-08-31  ·  10:57  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution for the differential equation $y'' + 10y' + 25y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Write the characteristic equation: $r^2 + 10r + 25 = 0$.
  2. Factor the quadratic: $(r + 5)^2 = 0$.
  3. Identify the repeated root: $r = -5$.
  4. Apply the general form for repeated roots: $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-5t}$.

Answer: $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-5t}$

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y'' + 4y' + 4y = 0$ with $y(0) = 3$ and $y'(0) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. Characteristic equation: $r^2 + 4r + 4 = (r+2)^2 = 0$, so $r = -2$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-2t}$.
  3. Use $y(0) = 3$: $c_1 e^0 = 3 \implies c_1 = 3$.
  4. Find derivative: $y'(t) = c_2 e^{-2t} - 2(c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-2t}$.
  5. Use $y'(0) = 1$: $c_2 - 2c_1 = 1 \implies c_2 - 6 = 1 \implies c_2 = 7$.
  6. Final solution: $y(t) = (3 + 7t) e^{-2t}$.

Answer: $y(t) = (3 + 7t) e^{-2t}$

Problem 3. A system is described by $y'' + 2\beta y' + \beta^2 y = 0$. If the system is released from $y(0) = y_0$ with zero initial velocity $y'(0) = 0$, show that the solution is $y(t) = y_0(1 + \beta t) e^{-\beta t}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Characteristic equation: $r^2 + 2\beta r + \beta^2 = (r + \beta)^2 = 0$, so $r = -\beta$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-\beta t}$.
  3. Apply $y(0) = y_0$: $c_1 e^0 = y_0 \implies c_1 = y_0$.
  4. Find derivative: $y'(t) = c_2 e^{-\beta t} - \beta(c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-\beta t}$.
  5. Apply $y'(0) = 0$: $c_2 - \beta c_1 = 0 \implies c_2 = \beta y_0$.
  6. Substitute constants: $y(t) = (y_0 + \beta y_0 t) e^{-\beta t} = y_0(1 + \beta t) e^{-\beta t}$.

Answer: $y(t) = y_0(1 + \beta t) e^{-\beta t}$

L28. Complex roots — oscillation emerges

Module 2  2026-09-01  ·  12:07  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the differential equation $y'' + 6y' + 25y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Write the characteristic equation: $r^2 + 6r + 25 = 0$.
  2. Use the quadratic formula: $r = \frac{-6 \pm \sqrt{36 - 100}}{2} = \frac{-6 \pm \sqrt{-64}}{2}$.
  3. Simplify the roots: $r = \frac{-6 \pm 8i}{2} = -3 \pm 4i$.
  4. Identify $\alpha = -3$ and $\beta = 4$.
  5. Substitute into the general form: $y(t) = e^{-3t}(c_1 \cos(4t) + c_2 \sin(4t))$.

Answer: $y(t) = e^{-3t}(c_1 \cos(4t) + c_2 \sin(4t))$

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y'' + 9y = 0$ with $y(0) = 2$ and $y'(0) = 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Characteristic equation: $r^2 + 9 = 0$, so $r = \pm 3i$.
  2. Here $\alpha = 0$ and $\beta = 3$, so $y(t) = c_1 \cos(3t) + c_2 \sin(3t)$.
  3. Apply $y(0) = 2$: $c_1 \cos(0) + c_2 \sin(0) = 2 \implies c_1 = 2$.
  4. Find the derivative: $y'(t) = -3c_1 \sin(3t) + 3c_2 \cos(3t)$.
  5. Apply $y'(0) = 3$: $-3(2)(0) + 3c_2(1) = 3 \implies 3c_2 = 3 \implies c_2 = 1$.

Answer: $y(t) = 2 \cos(3t) + \sin(3t)$

Problem 3. A system is described by $y'' + 2y' + 2y = 0$. If the solution is $y(t) = e^{-t} \sin(t)$, verify that it satisfies the ODE.
Reveal solution
  1. Compute $y'(t)$: Using product rule, $y' = -e^{-t} \sin(t) + e^{-t} \cos(t)$.
  2. Compute $y''(t)$: $y'' = (e^{-t} \sin(t) - e^{-t} \cos(t)) + (-e^{-t} \cos(t) - e^{-t} \sin(t)) = -2e^{-t} \cos(t)$.
  3. Substitute into $y'' + 2y' + 2y$: $(-2e^{-t} \cos(t)) + 2(-e^{-t} \sin(t) + e^{-t} \cos(t)) + 2(e^{-t} \sin(t))$.
  4. Simplify: $-2e^{-t} \cos(t) - 2e^{-t} \sin(t) + 2e^{-t} \cos(t) + 2e^{-t} \sin(t) = 0$.

Answer: The expression simplifies to $0$, so the solution is verified.

L29. The harmonic oscillator I — mass on a spring

Module 2  2026-09-02  ·  11:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A mass of $m=2$ kg is attached to a spring with $k=8$ N/m. The mass is pulled $3$ units from equilibrium and released from rest. Find the equation of motion $y(t)$ and the period $T$.
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $\omega = \sqrt{k/m} = \sqrt{8/2} = 2$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = c_1 \cos(2t) + c_2 \sin(2t)$.
  3. Apply $y(0)=3$: $c_1(1) + c_2(0) = 3 \implies c_1 = 3$.
  4. Apply $y'(0)=0$: $y'(t) = -2c_1 \sin(2t) + 2c_2 \cos(2t) \implies 2c_2 = 0 \implies c_2 = 0$.
  5. Calculate $T = 2\pi/\omega = 2\pi/2 = \pi$.

Answer: $y(t) = 3 \cos(2t), T = \pi$

Problem 2. A mass of $m=1$ kg and spring constant $k=25$ N/m is pushed from equilibrium with an initial velocity of $10$ units/s. Find the equation of motion $y(t)$ and the period $T$.
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $\omega = \sqrt{25/1} = 5$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = c_1 \cos(5t) + c_2 \sin(5t)$.
  3. Apply $y(0)=0$: $c_1 = 0$.
  4. Apply $y'(0)=10$: $5c_2 \cos(0) = 10 \implies c_2 = 2$.
  5. Calculate $T = 2\pi/\omega = 2\pi/5$.

Answer: $y(t) = 2 \sin(5t), T = 0.4\pi$

Problem 3. A mass of $m=1$ kg and $k=16$ N/m is pulled $2$ units and pushed with a velocity of $4$ units/s. Find the equation of motion $y(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Calculate $\omega = \sqrt{16/1} = 4$.
  2. General solution: $y(t) = c_1 \cos(4t) + c_2 \sin(4t)$.
  3. Apply $y(0)=2$: $c_1 = 2$.
  4. Apply $y'(0)=4$: $y'(t) = -4c_1 \sin(4t) + 4c_2 \cos(4t) \implies 4c_2 = 4 \implies c_2 = 1$.

Answer: $y(t) = 2 \cos(4t) + \sin(4t)$

L30. The harmonic oscillator II — damping regimes side by side

Module 2  2026-09-03  ·  10:11  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A system is described by the ODE $2y'' + 8y' + 8y = 0$. Determine the damping regime and find the general solution.
Reveal solution
  1. Divide by 2 to get $y'' + 4y' + 4y = 0$.
  2. The characteristic equation is $r^2 + 4r + 4 = 0$.
  3. Factor as $(r+2)^2 = 0$, giving a repeated root $r = -2$.
  4. Since the discriminant $4^2 - 4(1)(4) = 0$, the system is critically damped.
  5. The general solution is $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-2t}$.

Answer: Critically damped; $y(t) = (c_1 + c_2 t) e^{-2t}$

Problem 2. For a mass $m=1$ and spring constant $k=9$, what value of the damping coefficient $b$ results in critical damping?
Reveal solution
  1. Critical damping occurs when the discriminant $b^2 - 4mk = 0$.
  2. Substitute $m=1$ and $k=9$: $b^2 - 4(1)(9) = 0$.
  3. Solve for $b$: $b^2 = 36$.
  4. Since $b$ must be positive, $b = 6$.

Answer: $b = 6$

Problem 3. Solve the IVP $y'' + 2y' + 5y = 0$ with $y(0)=1$ and $y'(0)=0$. Identify the regime.
Reveal solution
  1. Characteristic equation: $r^2 + 2r + 5 = 0$.
  2. Roots: $r = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 20}}{2} = -1 \pm 2i$.
  3. Discriminant is $-16 < 0$, so it is under-damped.
  4. General solution: $y(t) = e^{-t}(c_1 \cos(2t) + c_2 \sin(2t))$.
  5. Apply $y(0)=1$: $1 = e^0(c_1(1) + c_2(0)) \implies c_1 = 1$.
  6. Derivative: $y'(t) = -e^{-t}(c_1 \cos(2t) + c_2 \sin(2t)) + e^{-t}(-2c_1 \sin(2t) + 2c_2 \cos(2t))$.
  7. Apply $y'(0)=0$: $0 = -1(c_1) + 1(2c_2) \implies 0 = -1 + 2c_2 \implies c_2 = 1/2$.
  8. Final solution: $y(t) = e^{-t}(\cos(2t) + \frac{1}{2}\sin(2t))$.

Answer: Under-damped; $y(t) = e^{-t}(\cos(2t) + \frac{1}{2}\sin(2t))$

L31. Nonhomogeneous equations: undetermined coefficients I

Module 2  2026-09-04  ·  12:18  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the differential equation $y'' - 4y' + 3y = 6t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Solve the homogeneous equation $y'' - 4y' + 3y = 0$. The characteristic equation is $r^2 - 4r + 3 = 0$, which factors to $(r-1)(r-3) = 0$, giving $y_h = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{3t}$.
  2. Guess a particular solution of the form $y_p = At + B$.
  3. Compute derivatives: $y_p' = A$ and $y_p'' = 0$.
  4. Substitute into the ODE: $0 - 4(A) + 3(At + B) = 6t$.
  5. Group terms: $3At + (3B - 4A) = 6t$.
  6. Match coefficients: $3A = 6 \rightarrow A = 2$. Then $3B - 4(2) = 0 \rightarrow 3B = 8 \rightarrow B = 8/3$.
  7. Combine: $y(t) = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{3t} + 2t + 8/3$.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{3t} + 2t + \frac{8}{3}$

Problem 2. Find the general solution to $y'' - 5y' + 6y = 2e^{4t}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Solve the homogeneous equation $y'' - 5y' + 6y = 0$. The characteristic equation is $r^2 - 5r + 6 = 0$, which factors to $(r-2)(r-3) = 0$, giving $y_h = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 e^{3t}$.
  2. The forcing function is $2e^{4t}$. Since $e^{4t}$ is not in $y_h$, guess $y_p = Ae^{4t}$.
  3. Compute derivatives: $y_p' = 4Ae^{4t}$ and $y_p'' = 16Ae^{4t}$.
  4. Substitute into the ODE: $16Ae^{4t} - 5(4Ae^{4t}) + 6(Ae^{4t}) = 2e^{4t}$.
  5. Simplify: $(16 - 20 + 6)Ae^{4t} = 2e^{4t} \rightarrow 2Ae^{4t} = 2e^{4t}$.
  6. Solve for A: $2A = 2 \rightarrow A = 1$.
  7. Combine: $y(t) = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 e^{3t} + e^{4t}$.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 e^{3t} + e^{4t}$

Problem 3. Find the general solution to $y'' - 3y' + 2y = e^{2t}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Solve the homogeneous equation $y'' - 3y' + 2y = 0$. The characteristic equation is $r^2 - 3r + 2 = 0$, which factors to $(r-1)(r-2) = 0$, giving $y_h = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{2t}$.
  2. The forcing function is $e^{2t}$. Since $e^{2t}$ is already in $y_h$, the guess $Ae^{2t}$ will fail. Multiply by $t$ and guess $y_p = Ate^{2t}$.
  3. Compute derivatives: $y_p' = Ae^{2t} + 2Ate^{2t}$ and $y_p'' = 2Ae^{2t} + 2Ae^{2t} + 4Ate^{2t} = 4Ae^{2t} + 4Ate^{2t}$.
  4. Substitute into the ODE: $(4Ae^{2t} + 4Ate^{2t}) - 3(Ae^{2t} + 2Ate^{2t}) + 2(Ate^{2t}) = e^{2t}$.
  5. Simplify: $(4A - 3A)e^{2t} + (4At - 6At + 2At)e^{2t} = e^{2t} \rightarrow Ae^{2t} = e^{2t}$.
  6. Solve for A: $A = 1$.
  7. Combine: $y(t) = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{2t} + te^{2t}$.

Answer: $y(t) = c_1 e^t + c_2 e^{2t} + te^{2t}$

L32. Undetermined coefficients II — trickier right-hand sides

Module 2  2026-09-05  ·  13:46  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to $y'' + 9y = \cos(3t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The homogeneous equation $y'' + 9y = 0$ has characteristic roots $r = \pm 3i$, so $y_h = c_1 \cos(3t) + c_2 \sin(3t)$.
  2. The forcing function $\cos(3t)$ is a solution to the homogeneous equation, indicating resonance.
  3. The guess for the particular solution is $y_p = t(A \cos(3t) + B \sin(3t))$.
  4. Computing derivatives: $y_p' = (A \cos(3t) + B \sin(3t)) + t(-3A \sin(3t) + 3B \cos(3t))$.
  5. Computing $y_p''$ and substituting into $y'' + 9y = \cos(3t)$ leads to $-6A \sin(3t) + 6B \cos(3t) = \cos(3t)$.
  6. Matching coefficients: $-6A = 0 \implies A = 0$ and $6B = 1 \implies B = 1/6$.

Answer: y(t) = c_1 \cos(3t) + c_2 \sin(3t) + \frac{1}{6}t \sin(3t)

Problem 2. Find the particular solution $y_p$ for $y'' - 4y' + 4y = t e^{2t}$.
Reveal solution
  1. The homogeneous equation $y'' - 4y' + 4y = 0$ has a repeated root $r = 2$, so $y_h = c_1 e^{2t} + c_2 t e^{2t}$.
  2. The forcing function $t e^{2t}$ is already part of the homogeneous solution.
  3. The standard guess for $t e^{2t}$ would be $(At + B)e^{2t}$.
  4. Because both $e^{2t}$ and $t e^{2t}$ are in $y_h$, we must multiply the guess by $t^2$.
  5. The correct guess is $y_p = t^2(At + B)e^{2t} = (At^3 + Bt^2)e^{2t}$.
  6. Substituting into the ODE and solving for coefficients yields $A = 1/6$ and $B = 0$.

Answer: y_p(t) = \frac{1}{6}t^3 e^{2t}

Problem 3. Solve $y'' + y = 2 \cos(t) + e^t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Homogeneous solution: $y_h = c_1 \cos(t) + c_2 \sin(t)$.
  2. For $f_1(t) = 2 \cos(t)$, resonance occurs. Guess $y_{p1} = t(A \cos(t) + B \sin(t))$. Substituting gives $y_{p1} = t \sin(t)$.
  3. For $f_2(t) = e^t$, no resonance. Guess $y_{p2} = C e^t$. Substituting gives $C + C = 1 \implies C = 1/2$.
  4. The total particular solution is $y_p = t \sin(t) + \frac{1}{2}e^t$.

Answer: y(t) = c_1 \cos(t) + c_2 \sin(t) + t \sin(t) + \frac{1}{2}e^t

L33. Variation of parameters

Module 2  2026-09-06  ·  10:43  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find a particular solution $y_{p}(t)$ for the differential equation $y'' + 4y = \sec(2t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The homogeneous solutions are $y_{1} = \cos(2t)$ and $y_{2} = \sin(2t)$.
  2. The Wronskian is $W = \cos(2t)(2\cos(2t)) - \sin(2t)(-2\sin(2t)) = 2(\cos^2(2t) + \sin^2(2t)) = 2$.
  3. Compute $u_{1}' = \frac{-\sin(2t)\sec(2t)}{2} = -\frac{1}{2}\tan(2t)$.
  4. Integrate $u_{1} = \int -\frac{1}{2}\tan(2t) dt = \frac{1}{4}\ln|\cos(2t)|$.
  5. Compute $u_{2}' = \frac{\cos(2t)\sec(2t)}{2} = \frac{1}{2}$.
  6. Integrate $u_{2} = \int \frac{1}{2} dt = \frac{1}{2}t$.
  7. Assemble $y_{p} = \frac{1}{4}\ln|\cos(2t)|\cos(2t) + \frac{1}{2}t\sin(2t)$.

Answer: y_{p}(t) = \frac{1}{4}\cos(2t)\ln|\cos(2t)| + \frac{1}{2}t\sin(2t)

Problem 2. Solve the nonhomogeneous equation $y'' - y = \frac{e^t}{t}$ for $t > 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Homogeneous solutions are $y_{1} = e^t$ and $y_{2} = e^{-t}$.
  2. Wronskian $W = e^t(-e^{-t}) - e^{-t}(e^t) = -1 - 1 = -2$.
  3. Compute $u_{1}' = \frac{-e^{-t}(e^t/t)}{-2} = \frac{1}{2t}$.
  4. Integrate $u_{1} = \frac{1}{2}\ln(t)$.
  5. Compute $u_{2}' = \frac{e^t(e^t/t)}{-2} = -\frac{e^{2t}}{2t}$.
  6. The integral for $u_{2}$ cannot be expressed in elementary functions, so we leave it as $u_{2} = -\int \frac{e^{2t}}{2t} dt$.
  7. Assemble $y_{p} = \frac{1}{2}e^t\ln(t) - e^{-t}\int \frac{e^{2t}}{2t} dt$.

Answer: y_{p}(t) = \frac{1}{2}e^t\ln(t) - e^{-t}\int \frac{e^{2t}}{2t} dt

Problem 3. Find the general solution to $y'' + y = \tan(t)$ given the initial conditions $y(0) = 0$ and $y'(0) = 1$.
Reveal solution
  1. From the lesson example, the general solution is $y(t) = c_{1}\cos(t) + c_{2}\sin(t) - \cos(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)|$.
  2. Apply $y(0) = 0$: $0 = c_{1}(1) + c_{2}(0) - (1)\ln|1 + 0| \implies c_{1} = 0$.
  3. Find $y'(t) = c_{2}\cos(t) + \sin(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)| - \cos(t)\frac{\sec(t)\tan(t) + \sec^2(t)}{\sec(t) + \tan(t)}$.
  4. Simplify the fraction: $\frac{\sec(t)(\tan(t) + \sec(t))}{\sec(t) + \tan(t)} = \sec(t)$.
  5. So $y'(t) = c_{2}\cos(t) + \sin(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)| - \cos(t)\sec(t) = c_{2}\cos(t) + \sin(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)| - 1$.
  6. Apply $y'(0) = 1$: $1 = c_{2}(1) + 0 - 1 \implies c_{2} = 2$.
  7. The final solution is $y(t) = 2\sin(t) - \cos(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)|$.

Answer: y(t) = 2\sin(t) - \cos(t)\ln|\sec(t) + \tan(t)|

L34. Forced oscillations and resonance I — the phenomenon

Module 2  2026-09-07  ·  11:52  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the particular solution $y_p(t)$ for the differential equation $y'' + y = \cos(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. The homogeneous equation $y'' + y = 0$ has natural frequency $\omega_0 = 1$.
  2. The forcing function $\cos(t)$ has frequency $\omega = 1$. Since $\omega = \omega_0$, resonance occurs.
  3. Guess $y_p(t) = t(A \cos(t) + B \sin(t))$.
  4. Compute $y_p' = A \cos(t) + B \sin(t) + t(-A \sin(t) + B \cos(t))$.
  5. Compute $y_p'' = -2A \sin(t) + 2B \cos(t) - t(A \cos(t) + B \sin(t))$.
  6. Substitute into $y'' + y = \cos(t)$: $-2A \sin(t) + 2B \cos(t) = \cos(t)$.
  7. Match coefficients: $-2A = 0 \implies A = 0$ and $2B = 1 \implies B = 1/2$.

Answer: y_p(t) = \frac{1}{2}t \sin(t)

Problem 2. Determine if the equation $y'' + 16y = 5 \sin(3t)$ exhibits resonance. If not, find the particular solution $y_p(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Natural frequency $\omega_0 = \sqrt{16} = 4$.
  2. Forcing frequency $\omega = 3$. Since $3 \neq 4$, there is no resonance.
  3. Guess $y_p(t) = A \cos(3t) + B \sin(3t)$.
  4. Substitute into ODE: $(-9A + 16A) \cos(3t) + (-9B + 16B) \sin(3t) = 5 \sin(3t)$.
  5. Simplify: $7A \cos(3t) + 7B \sin(3t) = 5 \sin(3t)$.
  6. Solve: $7A = 0 \implies A = 0$ and $7B = 5 \implies B = 5/7$.

Answer: y_p(t) = \frac{5}{7} \sin(3t)

Problem 3. A system is described by $y'' + 25y = 20 \cos(5t)$. Find the general solution $y(t)$ given initial conditions $y(0) = 0$ and $y'(0) = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Homogeneous solution: $y_h(t) = C_1 \cos(5t) + C_2 \sin(5t)$.
  2. Resonance occurs since $\omega = \omega_0 = 5$. Guess $y_p(t) = t(A \cos(5t) + B \sin(5t))$.
  3. Substitute into ODE: $y_p'' + 25y_p = -10A \sin(5t) + 10B \cos(5t) = 20 \cos(5t)$.
  4. Solve: $-10A = 0 \implies A = 0$ and $10B = 20 \implies B = 2$. So $y_p(t) = 2t \sin(5t)$.
  5. General solution: $y(t) = C_1 \cos(5t) + C_2 \sin(5t) + 2t \sin(5t)$.
  6. Apply $y(0) = 0$: $C_1(1) + C_2(0) + 0 = 0 \implies C_1 = 0$.
  7. Apply $y'(0) = 0$: $y'(t) = 5C_2 \cos(5t) + 2 \sin(5t) + 10t \cos(5t)$. $5C_2(1) + 0 + 0 = 0 \implies C_2 = 0$.

Answer: y(t) = 2t \sin(5t)

L35. Forced oscillations and resonance II — beats and the resonance curve

Module 2  2026-09-08  ·  10:36  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. A system has a natural frequency of $\omega_{0} = 5$ rad/s. It is driven by a force with frequency $\omega = 4.8$ rad/s. Calculate the beat period $T_{beat}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify the frequency difference: $|\omega_{0} - \omega| = |5 - 4.8| = 0.2$ rad/s.
  2. Use the beat period formula: $T_{beat} = \frac{2\pi}{|\omega_{0} - \omega|}$.
  3. Compute the value: $T_{beat} = \frac{2\pi}{0.2} = 10\pi$.

Answer: 10\pi \approx 31.42 \text{ s}

Problem 2. For the ODE $y'' + 9y = \sin(2.9t)$, find the amplitude of the steady-state (particular) solution.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $\omega_{0}^2 = 9$ and $\omega = 2.9$.
  2. The particular solution is $y_p(t) = \frac{1}{9 - 2.9^2} \sin(2.9t)$.
  3. Calculate the denominator: $9 - 8.41 = 0.59$.
  4. The amplitude is $A = |1 / 0.59|$.

Answer: \approx 1.695

Problem 3. A system with $\omega_{0} = 2$ is driven by $F_0 \sin(\omega t)$. If the desired steady-state amplitude is $A = 10$, what forcing frequency $\omega$ (where $\omega < \omega_0$) should be used, assuming $F_0 = 0.1$?
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the amplitude equation: $10 = \frac{0.1}{4 - \omega^2}$.
  2. Rearrange to solve for the denominator: $4 - \omega^2 = \frac{0.1}{10} = 0.01$.
  3. Solve for $\omega^2$: $\omega^2 = 4 - 0.01 = 3.99$.
  4. Take the square root: $\omega = \sqrt{3.99}$.

Answer: \approx 1.997 \text{ rad/s}

L36. RLC circuits — the mechanical-electrical analogy

Module 2  2026-09-09  ·  11:01  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. An RLC circuit has $L = 2$ H, $R = 10$ $\Omega$, and $C = 0.1$ F. Write the homogeneous differential equation for the charge $q(t)$ and determine if the system is underdamped, overdamped, or critically damped.
Reveal solution
  1. The equation is $L q'' + R q' + \frac{1}{C} q = 0$.
  2. Substitute values: $2 q'' + 10 q' + \frac{1}{0.1} q = 0$, which simplifies to $2 q'' + 10 q' + 10 q = 0$.
  3. The characteristic equation is $2r^2 + 10r + 10 = 0$, or $r^2 + 5r + 5 = 0$.
  4. The discriminant is $D = 5^2 - 4(1)(5) = 25 - 20 = 5$.
  5. Since $D > 0$, the roots are real and distinct, meaning the system is overdamped.

Answer: 2q'' + 10q' + 10q = 0; overdamped

Problem 2. Find the resonant frequency $\omega_0$ for a circuit with $L = 0.5$ H and $C = 2 \times 10^{-6}$ F.
Reveal solution
  1. Use the formula $\omega_0 = \frac{1}{\sqrt{LC}}$.
  2. Calculate $LC = 0.5 \times 2 \times 10^{-6} = 1 \times 10^{-6}$.
  3. Take the square root: $\sqrt{10^{-6}} = 10^{-3}$.
  4. Compute the reciprocal: $\omega_0 = \frac{1}{10^{-3}} = 1000$.

Answer: 1000 \text{ rad/s}

Problem 3. A circuit is critically damped with $L = 1$ H and $C = 0.25$ F. What is the value of the resistance $R$?
Reveal solution
  1. For critical damping, the discriminant of $Lr^2 + Rr + \frac{1}{C} = 0$ must be zero.
  2. This requires $R^2 - 4L\frac{1}{C} = 0$.
  3. Substitute $L = 1$ and $C = 0.25$: $R^2 - 4(1)(\frac{1}{0.25}) = 0$.
  4. Simplify: $R^2 - 4(4) = 0 \implies R^2 = 16$.
  5. Since resistance must be positive, $R = 4$.

Answer: 4 \Omega

L37. Higher-order linear equations

Module 2  2026-09-10  ·  11:52  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the third-order linear ODE $y''' - 5y'' + 8y' - 4y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Write the characteristic equation: $r^3 - 5r^2 + 8r - 4 = 0$.
  2. Test for roots: $r=1$ gives $1 - 5 + 8 - 4 = 0$, so $(r-1)$ is a factor.
  3. Divide to get $(r-1)(r^2 - 4r + 4) = 0$, which is $(r-1)(r-2)^2 = 0$.
  4. The roots are $r=1$ (distinct) and $r=2$ (multiplicity 2).
  5. Construct the general solution using the repeated root rule.

Answer: $y(t) = C_1 e^t + (C_2 + C_3 t) e^{2t}$

Problem 2. Solve the ODE $y''' + 3y'' + 3y' + y = 0$ with initial conditions $y(0)=1, y'(0)=0, y''(0)=0$.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^3 + 3r^2 + 3r + 1 = 0$, which is $(r+1)^3 = 0$.
  2. The root $r=-1$ has multiplicity 3, so $y(t) = (C_1 + C_2 t + C_3 t^2) e^{-t}$.
  3. Use $y(0)=1$ implies $C_1 = 1$.
  4. Differentiate: $y'(t) = (C_2 + 2C_3 t) e^{-t} - (C_1 + C_2 t + C_3 t^2) e^{-t}$.
  5. Use $y'(0)=0$ implies $C_2 - C_1 = 0$ so $C_2 = 1$.
  6. Differentiate again and use $y''(0)=0$ implies $2C_3 - 2C_2 + C_1 = 0$ so $2C_3 - 2 + 1 = 0$ so $C_3 = 1/2$.

Answer: $y(t) = (1 + t + \frac{1}{2}t^2) e^{-t}$

Problem 3. Find the general solution to the fourth-order ODE $y'''' + 2y'' + y = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^4 + 2r^2 + 1 = 0$.
  2. This is a perfect square: $(r^2 + 1)^2 = 0$.
  3. The roots are $r = i$ and $r = -i$, each with multiplicity 2.
  4. For the first pair of complex roots, we have $\cos(t)$ and $\sin(t)$.
  5. Because they are repeated, we multiply by $t$ for the second pair: $t \cos(t)$ and $t \sin(t)$.

Answer: $y(t) = C_1 \cos(t) + C_2 \sin(t) + C_3 t \cos(t) + C_4 t \sin(t)$

L38. Module 2 review + self-test

Module 2  2026-09-11  ·  10:42  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the general solution to the differential equation $y'' - 3y' + 2y = 4t^{2}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Solve the homogeneous equation $y'' - 3y' + 2y = 0$. The characteristic equation is $r^{2} - 3r + 2 = 0$, which factors to $(r-1)(r-2)=0$. Thus $y_{h} = c_{1}e^{t} + c_{2}e^{2t}$.
  2. Guess a particular solution of the form $y_{p} = At^{2} + Bt + C$.
  3. Compute derivatives: $y_{p}' = 2At + B$ and $y_{p}'' = 2A$.
  4. Substitute into the ODE: $2A - 3(2At + B) + 2(At^{2} + Bt + C) = 4t^{2}$.
  5. Group terms: $2At^{2} + (2B - 6A)t + (2A - 3B + 2C) = 4t^{2}$.
  6. Solve the system: $2A = 4 \implies A = 2$; $2B - 6(2) = 0 \implies B = 6$; $2(2) - 3(6) + 2C = 0 \implies 2C = 14 \implies C = 7$.
  7. Combine: $y = c_{1}e^{t} + c_{2}e^{2t} + 2t^{2} + 6t + 7$.

Answer: $y = c_{1}e^{t} + c_{2}e^{2t} + 2t^{2} + 6t + 7$

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y'' + 4y = 0$ with $y(0) = 3$ and $y'(0) = 2$.
Reveal solution
  1. The characteristic equation is $r^{2} + 4 = 0$, so $r = \pm 2i$.
  2. The general solution is $y = c_{1}\cos(2t) + c_{2}\sin(2t)$.
  3. Apply $y(0) = 3$: $c_{1}\cos(0) + c_{2}\sin(0) = 3 \implies c_{1} = 3$.
  4. Compute $y' = -2c_{1}\sin(2t) + 2c_{2}\cos(2t)$.
  5. Apply $y'(0) = 2$: $-2(3)\sin(0) + 2c_{2}\cos(0) = 2 \implies 2c_{2} = 2 \implies c_{2} = 1$.
  6. The solution is $y = 3\cos(2t) + \sin(2t)$.

Answer: $y = 3\cos(2t) + \sin(2t)$

Problem 3. Use variation of parameters to find a particular solution for $y'' + y = \sec(t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Homogeneous solutions are $y_{1} = \cos(t)$ and $y_{2} = \sin(t)$.
  2. The Wronskian is $W = \cos(t)\cos(t) - \sin(t)(-\sin(t)) = 1$.
  3. The particular solution is $y_{p} = -\cos(t) \int \sin(t)\sec(t) dt + \sin(t) \int \cos(t)\sec(t) dt$.
  4. Simplify the integrals: $\int \sin(t)\sec(t) dt = \int \tan(t) dt = -\ln|\cos(t)|$.
  5. And $\int \cos(t)\sec(t) dt = \int 1 dt = t$.
  6. Combine: $y_{p} = -\cos(t)(-\ln|\cos(t)|) + \sin(t)(t) = \cos(t)\ln|\cos(t)| + t\sin(t)$.

Answer: $y_{p} = \cos(t)\ln|\cos(t)| + t\sin(t)$

Module 3 — Laplace Transforms (5/12)

L39. The Laplace transform: turning calculus into algebra

Module 3  2026-09-12  ·  11:37  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the Laplace transform of $f(t) = 3 e^{-4t} + 2t$.
Reveal solution
  1. Use linearity: $\mathcal{L}\{3 e^{-4t} + 2t\} = 3 \mathcal{L}\{e^{-4t}\} + 2 \mathcal{L}\{t\}$.
  2. Apply the exponential rule with $a = -4$: $\mathcal{L}\{e^{-4t}\} = \frac{1}{s - (-4)} = \frac{1}{s+4}$.
  3. Apply the power rule: $\mathcal{L}\{t\} = \frac{1}{s^2}$.
  4. Combine the results: $3(\frac{1}{s+4}) + 2(\frac{1}{s^2})$.

Answer: $\frac{3}{s+4} + \frac{2}{s^2}$

Problem 2. Given that $\mathcal{L}\{f(t)\} = F(s)$, find the expression for $\mathcal{L}\{f'(t)\}$ if $f(0) = 5$.
Reveal solution
  1. Recall the derivative formula: $\mathcal{L}\{f'(t)\} = s F(s) - f(0)$.
  2. Substitute the given initial value $f(0) = 5$ into the formula.
  3. The expression becomes $s F(s) - 5$.

Answer: $s F(s) - 5$

Problem 3. Find the Laplace transform of $f(t) = t e^{2t}$. (Hint: Use the integral definition $\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-st} f(t) dt$ and integration by parts).
Reveal solution
  1. Set up the integral: $\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-st} (t e^{2t}) dt = \int_{0}^{\infty} t e^{-(s-2)t} dt$.
  2. Use integration by parts with $u = t$ and $dv = e^{-(s-2)t} dt$.
  3. Then $du = dt$ and $v = \frac{-1}{s-2} e^{-(s-2)t}$.
  4. The boundary term $[uv]_0^{\infty}$ is $0$ for $s > 2$.
  5. The remaining integral is $\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{s-2} e^{-(s-2)t} dt$.
  6. Integrating again gives $\frac{1}{s-2} [\frac{-1}{s-2} e^{-(s-2)t}]_0^{\infty} = \frac{1}{(s-2)^2}$.

Answer: $\frac{1}{(s-2)^2}$

L40. Transform rules and the essential table

Module 3  2026-09-13  ·  11:41  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Compute the Laplace transform of $f(t) = 3e^{2t} + 4\sin(3t)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Apply linearity: $\mathcal{L}\{3e^{2t} + 4\sin(3t)\} = 3\mathcal{L}\{e^{2t}\} + 4\mathcal{L}\{\sin(3t)\}$.
  2. Use the table for $e^{at}$ with $a=2$: $\mathcal{L}\{e^{2t}\} = \frac{1}{s-2}$.
  3. Use the table for $\sin(at)$ with $a=3$: $\mathcal{L}\{\sin(3t)\} = \frac{3}{s^2+9}$.
  4. Combine the results: $3\frac{1}{s-2} + 4\frac{3}{s^2+9}$.

Answer: \frac{3}{s-2} + \frac{12}{s^2+9}

Problem 2. Given $y' - 2y = 0$ with $y(0) = 5$, find the algebraic expression for $Y(s)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform both sides: $\mathcal{L}\{y'\} - 2\mathcal{L}\{y\} = \mathcal{L}\{0\}$.
  2. Substitute the derivative rule: $(sY - y(0)) - 2Y = 0$.
  3. Plug in the initial condition $y(0)=5$: $sY - 5 - 2Y = 0$.
  4. Factor out $Y$: $Y(s-2) = 5$.
  5. Solve for $Y$: $Y(s) = \frac{5}{s-2}$.

Answer: Y(s) = \frac{5}{s-2}

Problem 3. Transform the ODE $y'' + 4y = 0$ with $y(0) = 0$ and $y'(0) = 2$ into an equation for $Y(s)$ and solve for $Y(s)$.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform the equation: $\mathcal{L}\{y''\} + 4\mathcal{L}\{y\} = 0$.
  2. Apply the second derivative rule: $(s^2 Y - sy(0) - y'(0)) + 4Y = 0$.
  3. Substitute $y(0)=0$ and $y'(0)=2$: $s^2 Y - s(0) - 2 + 4Y = 0$.
  4. Simplify: $s^2 Y + 4Y = 2$.
  5. Factor $Y$: $Y(s^2 + 4) = 2$.
  6. Solve for $Y$: $Y(s) = \frac{2}{s^2+4}$.

Answer: Y(s) = \frac{2}{s^2+4}

L41. Inverse transforms; partial fractions reborn

Module 3  2026-09-14  ·  10:56  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the inverse Laplace transform of $Y(s) = \frac{2}{s^2 - 9}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Factor the denominator: $s^2 - 9 = (s-3)(s+3)$.
  2. Set up partial fractions: $\frac{2}{(s-3)(s+3)} = \frac{A}{s-3} + \frac{B}{s+3}$.
  3. Solve for constants: $2 = A(s+3) + B(s-3)$. For $s=3$, $2=6A \implies A=1/3$. For $s=-3$, $2=-6B \implies B=-1/3$.
  4. Rewrite $Y(s) = \frac{1/3}{s-3} - \frac{1/3}{s+3}$.
  5. Apply inverse transforms: $y(t) = \frac{1}{3} e^{3t} - \frac{1}{3} e^{-3t}$.

Answer: y(t) = \frac{1}{3}(e^{3t} - e^{-3t})

Problem 2. Find the inverse Laplace transform of $Y(s) = \frac{s+5}{(s-1)^2}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up partial fractions for repeated root: $\frac{s+5}{(s-1)^2} = \frac{A}{s-1} + \frac{B}{(s-1)^2}$.
  2. Solve for constants: $s+5 = A(s-1) + B$.
  3. For $s=1$, $6 = B$.
  4. Comparing coefficients of $s$: $1 = A$.
  5. Rewrite $Y(s) = \frac{1}{s-1} + \frac{6}{(s-1)^2}$.
  6. Apply inverse transforms: $y(t) = e^t + 6t e^t$.

Answer: y(t) = (1 + 6t)e^t

Problem 3. Find the inverse Laplace transform of $Y(s) = \frac{1}{(s-2)(s^2+1)}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Set up partial fractions: $\frac{1}{(s-2)(s^2+1)} = \frac{A}{s-2} + \frac{Bs+C}{s^2+1}$.
  2. Solve for constants: $1 = A(s^2+1) + (Bs+C)(s-2)$.
  3. For $s=2$, $1 = 5A \implies A=1/5$.
  4. For $s=0$, $1 = A - 2C \implies 1 = 1/5 - 2C \implies 2C = -4/5 \implies C=-2/5$.
  5. Comparing $s^2$ coefficients: $0 = A + B \implies B = -1/5$.
  6. Rewrite $Y(s) = \frac{1/5}{s-2} + \frac{-1/5 s - 2/5}{s^2+1}$.
  7. Split the quadratic term: $Y(s) = \frac{1}{5} \frac{1}{s-2} - \frac{1}{5} \frac{s}{s^2+1} - \frac{2}{5} \frac{1}{s^2+1}$.
  8. Apply inverse transforms: $y(t) = \frac{1}{5} e^{2t} - \frac{1}{5} \cos(t) - \frac{2}{5} \sin(t)$.

Answer: y(t) = \frac{1}{5}(e^{2t} - \cos(t) - 2\sin(t))

L42. Solving IVPs with Laplace — the full workflow

Module 3  2026-09-15  ·  11:02  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Solve the initial value problem $y' + 3y = 0$ with $y(0) = 5$ using the Laplace transform workflow.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform the equation: $s Y(s) - y(0) + 3 Y(s) = 0$.
  2. Substitute $y(0) = 5$: $s Y(s) - 5 + 3 Y(s) = 0$.
  3. Solve for $Y(s)$: $(s + 3) Y(s) = 5$, so $Y(s) = \frac{5}{s+3}$.
  4. Invert using the table: $\mathcal{L}^{-1} \{ \frac{5}{s+3} \} = 5 e^{-3t}$.

Answer: y(t) = 5 e^{-3t}

Problem 2. Solve the initial value problem $y' - 2y = 4$ with $y(0) = 1$ using the Laplace transform workflow.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform the equation: $s Y(s) - y(0) - 2 Y(s) = \frac{4}{s}$.
  2. Substitute $y(0) = 1$: $(s - 2) Y(s) - 1 = \frac{4}{s}$.
  3. Isolate $Y(s)$: $(s - 2) Y(s) = \frac{4}{s} + 1 = \frac{s+4}{s}$, so $Y(s) = \frac{s+4}{s(s-2)}$.
  4. Partial fractions: $\frac{s+4}{s(s-2)} = \frac{A}{s} + \frac{B}{s-2}$. Solving gives $A = -2$ and $B = 3$.
  5. Invert: $y(t) = -2(1) + 3 e^{2t}$.

Answer: y(t) = 3 e^{2t} - 2

Problem 3. Solve the initial value problem $y'' + 4y = 0$ with $y(0) = 0$ and $y'(0) = 2$ using the Laplace transform workflow.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform the equation: $s^2 Y(s) - s y(0) - y'(0) + 4 Y(s) = 0$.
  2. Substitute $y(0) = 0$ and $y'(0) = 2$: $s^2 Y(s) - 2 + 4 Y(s) = 0$.
  3. Solve for $Y(s)$: $(s^2 + 4) Y(s) = 2$, so $Y(s) = \frac{2}{s^2 + 4}$.
  4. Recognize the form $\frac{a}{s^2 + a^2}$ where $a = 2$.
  5. Invert: $y(t) = \sin(2t)$.

Answer: y(t) = \sin(2t)

L43. Discontinuous forcing: step functions

Module 3  2026-09-16  ·  9:06  ·  practice PDF

Practice problems (3)
Problem 1. Find the Laplace transform of the function $f(t) = 0$ for $t < 3$ and $f(t) = e^{2t}$ for $t \ge 3$.
Reveal solution
  1. Express the function using the Heaviside step function: $f(t) = u(t-3) e^{2t}$.
  2. To use the second shifting theorem, we need the form $u(t-a)g(t-a)$. We rewrite $e^{2t}$ as $e^{2(t-3+3)} = e^{2(t-3)} e^6$.
  3. Now we have $f(t) = e^6 u(t-3) e^{2(t-3)}$.
  4. The transform of $e^{2t}$ is $1/(s-2)$.
  5. Applying the theorem: $\mathcal{L}\{f(t)\} = e^6 e^{-3s} \frac{1}{s-2}$.

Answer: \frac{e^{6-3s}}{s-2}

Problem 2. Solve the IVP $y' + 2y = u(t-1)$ with $y(0) = 0$.
Reveal solution
  1. Transform the equation: $(s+2)Y(s) = e^{-s}/s$.
  2. Solve for $Y(s)$: $Y(s) = e^{-s} \frac{1}{s(s+2)}$.
  3. Partial fraction decomposition of $G(s) = \frac{1}{s(s+2)} = \frac{1}{2}(\frac{1}{s} - \frac{1}{s+2})$.
  4. Inverse transform of $G(s)$ is $g(t) = \frac{1}{2}(1 - e^{-2t})$.
  5. Apply the shift: $y(t) = u(t-1) g(t-1) = \frac{1}{2} u(t-1) (1 - e^{-2(t-1)})$.

Answer: \frac{1}{2} u(t-1) (1 - e^{-2(t-1)})

Problem 3. Find the inverse Laplace transform of $H(s) = \frac{e^{-2s}}{s^2 + 9}$.
Reveal solution
  1. Identify $G(s) = \frac{1}{s^2 + 9}$.
  2. The inverse transform of $G(s)$ is $g(t) = \frac{1}{3} \sin(3t)$.
  3. The factor $e^{-2s}$ indicates a shift of $a=2$.
  4. Apply the second shifting theorem: $h(t) = u(t-2) g(t-2)$.
  5. Substitute $t-2$ into $g(t)$: $h(t) = \frac{1}{3} u(t-2) \sin(3(t-2))$.

Answer: \frac{1}{3} u(t-2) \sin(3(t-2))

L44. Shifting theorems tomorrow 08:15
L45. The Dirac delta — hitting a system with a hammer
L46. Impulse response and why engineers love it
L47. Convolution I — the meaning
L48. Convolution II — the convolution theorem
L49. Transfer functions — a systems-theory doorway
L50. Module 3 review + self-test
Module 4 — Systems of ODEs (0/14)
L51. From one equation to many
L52. Linear systems in matrix form
L53. Solving by eigenvalues I — real distinct eigenvalues
L54. Solving by eigenvalues II — saddles and nodes
L55. Complex eigenvalues — spirals and centres
L56. Repeated eigenvalues and defective matrices
L57. The phase portrait gallery
L58. The trace-determinant plane — one diagram to rule them all
L59. The matrix exponential e^{At}
L60. Nonhomogeneous systems
L61. Coupled oscillators and normal modes
L62. Compartment models: drug dosing
L63. Systems clinic — full worked analyses
L64. Module 4 review + self-test
Module 5 — Nonlinear Dynamics & Chaos (0/14)
L65. Nonlinear systems: where formulas end and geometry begins
L66. Linearisation near equilibria; the Jacobian
L67. Predator-prey (Lotka-Volterra) — full analysis
L68. Competing species; coexistence vs exclusion
L69. The nonlinear pendulum — beyond small angles
L70. Energy methods and conserved quantities
L71. Limit cycles; the van der Pol oscillator
L72. The Poincare-Bendixson theorem
L73. Bifurcations I — saddle-node and transcritical
L74. Bifurcations II — pitchfork and Hopf
L75. The Lorenz system I — the butterfly discovered
L76. The Lorenz system II — sensitive dependence
L77. The logistic map — chaos in one line
L78. Module 5 review + self-test
Module 6 — Series Solutions & Special Functions (0/10)
L79. Power series solutions I — the method
L80. Power series solutions II — Airy's equation
L81. Ordinary vs singular points; Cauchy-Euler equations
L82. The method of Frobenius
L83. Bessel's equation and Bessel functions
L84. Legendre's equation and Legendre polynomials
L85. Orthogonal function families
L86. The Gamma function returns
L87. Special functions in physics — where they all live
L88. Module 6 review + self-test
Module 7 — Fourier Series & PDEs (0/16)
L89. From ODEs to PDEs: functions of space and time
L90. Fourier series I — sines and cosines as a basis
L91. Fourier series II — computing coefficients; convergence and Gibbs
L92. Even/odd extensions; sine and cosine series
L93. The heat equation I — deriving it from physics
L94. Separation of variables — the master technique
L95. The heat equation II — full solution, animated diffusion
L96. Boundary conditions and their meanings
L97. The wave equation I — derivation; the vibrating string
L98. The wave equation II — d'Alembert and travelling waves
L99. Standing waves, harmonics, and why instruments sound different
L100. Laplace's equation — steady states and potential theory
L101. The 2D drumhead — Bessel functions in action
L102. The heat kernel and the normal distribution
L103. PDE clinic — separation of variables gauntlet
L104. Module 7 review + self-test
Module 8 — Numerical Methods & Epilogue (0/8)
L105. Why numerics: most ODEs have no formula
L106. Euler's method — the idea and its failure modes
L107. Improved Euler and the idea of order
L108. Runge-Kutta 4 — the workhorse
L109. Stiffness — when good methods go bad
L110. Numerical PDEs — a finite-difference glimpse
L111. Stochastic differential equations — a 15-minute teaser
L112. Grand review & epilogue