Variation of Parameters

Author: John J Weber III, PhD Corresponding Textbook Sections:

• Section 4.6 -- Variation of Parameters

Expected Educational Results

• Objective 13–1: I understand when variation of parameters is required to find particular solutions to nonhomogeneous equations.
• Objective 13–1: I can use variation of parameters to find particular solutions to nonhomogeneous equations.

Variation of Parameters

Definition: Particular Solution

A solution to a nonhomogeneous DE is called the particular solution, $\displaystyle y_p(t)$.

Definition: Variation of Parameters

Variation of parameters is a more general method to find $y_p(t)$.

Variation of parameters is used for nonhomogeneous solutions when $f(t)$ contains factors or terms other than $P_m(t)$, $e^{rt}$, $\cos{(\beta t)}$, and $\sin{(\beta t)}$.

Definition: General Solution

$\displaystyle y_g(t)=y_h(t)+y_p(t)$.

Method of Variation of Parameters

NOTE: The terms determined by the method of variation of parameters must be linearly independent of the terms in $y_h(t)$.

1. Find two linearly independent solutions $\left\{y_1(t),y_2(t)\right\}$ to the corresponding homogeneous equation.

2. Let $y_p(t)=v_1(t)y_1(t)+v_2(t)y_2(t)$, for some functions $v_1(t)$ and $v_2(t)$.

3. Solve for $v_1(t)$:

   • $v_1(t)=\int{\dfrac{-f(t)y_2(t)}{a W[y_1,y_2](t)}\,dt}$

4. Solve for $v_2(t)$:

   • $v_2(t)=\int{\dfrac{f(t)y_1(t)}{a W[y_1,y_2](t)}\,dt}$

5. The particular solution is $y_p(t)=v_1(t)y_1(t)+v_2(t)y_2(t)$.

6. Write the general solution, $y(t)=y_h(t)+y_p(t)$.

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Last Modified: Thursday, 8 October 2020 7:38 EDT