Methods for finding Particular Solutions of

linear differential equation

Ranjan Bagri

October 5, 2018

1 Introduction

There are several methods for solving a differential equation. But most
often we tend to categorize them according to their characteristics such as
linearity and homogeneity. Here we’ll take a linear differential equation as
an instance.

We shall now consider techniques for solving the linear differential

equation(non-homogeneous) with constant coefficients whose general form is
represented by

dn y dn−1 y dy
a0 + a1 + · · · + an−1 + an y = G(x)
dxn dxn−1 dx
The general solution of this equation is given by y = yc + yp where yc
is the complementary function i.e. the general solution to the associated
homogeneous equation.

dn y dn−1 y dy
a0 + a 1 + · · · + an−1 + an y = 0
dxn dxn−1 dx
and yp is a particular solution.

Assuming we already know how to obtain the complementary func-

tion and also for not being the subject of this discussion, we will focus on
techniques for obtaining a particular solution yp .

2 Methods

As I mentioned before about the existance of several paths of reaching a

goal. But here we’ll discuss only two rules to find yp .

1
 1 ax 1 ax
2.1 e = e
f (D) f (a)

Derivation:
We know that Deax = aeax , D2 eax = a2 eax , · · · · · · , Dn eax = an eax

Let f (D)eax = (Dn +K1 Dn−1 +· · ·+Kn )eax = (an +K1 an−1 +· · ·+Kn )eax =
f (a)eax

1
Operating both sides by f (D)

1 1
f (D)eax = f (a)eax
f (D) f (D)
1 ax
⇒ eax = f (a) e
f (D)
1 ax 1 ax
⇒ e = e
f (D) f (a)
If f (a) = 0, then the above rule fails.

1 ax 1
Then 1
f (D) e
ax 1
= x. f 0 (D) eax = x f 01(a) eax ⇒ e = x. 0 eax
f (D) f (a)
1 ax 1
If f 0 (a) = 0 then e = x2 00 eax
f (D) f (a)

2
d y dy
Example: Solve the differential equation dx 2 −6 dx +9y = 6e
3x
+7e−2x −log 2
Solution:
(D2 − 6D + 9)y = 6e3x + 7e−2x − log 2
Auxiliary equation is (m2 − 6m + 9) = 0 ⇒ (m − 3)2 = 0 ⇒ m = 3, 3

yc = (C1 + C2 x)e3x
1 1 1
yp = 6e3x + 2 7e−2x + 2 (− log 2)
D2 − 6D + 9 D − 6D + 9 D − 6D + 9
1 1 1
=x 6e3x + 7e−2x − log 2 2 e0x
2D − 6 4 + 12 + 9 D − 6D + 9
 
2 1 3x 7 −2x 1
= x . .6.e + e − log 2
2 25 9
7 −2x 1
= 3x2 e3x + e − log 2
25 9

7 −2x
Complete solution is y = (C1 + C2 x)e3x + 3x2 e3x + 25 e − 19 log 2

2
 1 ax 1
2.2 e φ(x) = eax φ(x)
f (D) f (D + a)

Derivation:

D[eax φ(x)] = eax Dφ(x) + aeax φ(x) = eax (D + a)φ(x)

D[eax φ(x)] = D[eax (D + a)φ(x)] = eax (D2 + aD)φ(x) + eax (D + a)φ(x)
= eax (D2 + 2aD + a2 )φ(x)
= eax (D + a)2 φ(x)
Similarly,
Dn [eax φ(x)] = eax (D + a)n φ(x)
f (D)[eax φ(x)] = eax f (D + a)φ(x)
1
eax φ(x) = [eax f (D + a)φ(x)]
f (D)

1
Put f (D + a)φ(x) = X, so that φ(x) = f (D+a) X
Substituing these values in (1), we get
1 1
eax X= [eax X]
f (D + a) f (D)
1 1
⇒ [eax φ(x)] = eax φ(x)
f (D) f (D + a)

Example: Solve the differential equation (D2 − 4D + 4)y = x3 e2x

Solution:
(D2 − 4D + 4)y = x3 e2x
A.E is m2 − 4m + 4 = 0 ⇒ (m − 2)2 = 0 ⇒ m = 2, 2

yc = (C1 + C2 x)e2x
1
yp = x3 e2x
D2 − 4D + 4
1
= e2x x3
(D + 2)2 − 4(D + 2) + 4
1 x4 x5
 
1
= e2x 2 x3 = e2x = eax
D D 4 20
5
The complete solution is y = (C1 + C2 x)e2x + eax x20