EC > GATE 2015 SET-3 > Differential Equations
Consider the differential equation d2x(t)/dt2 + 3dx(t)/dt + 2x(t) = 0. Given x(0) = 20 and x(1) = 10/e, where e = 2.718, the value of x(2) is __________.

Correct : 0.85

Given differential equation: d2x(t)/dt2 + 3dx(t)/dt + 2x(t) = 0
Initial conditions: x(0) = 20 and x(1) = 10/e
We need to find x(2)

First, I'll write the characteristic equation:
r2 + 3r + 2 = 0
Factoring: (r + 1)(r + 2) = 0
So the roots are r1 = -1 and r2 = -2

The general solution is:
x(t) = C1e-t + C2e-2t

Now applying the first condition x(0) = 20:
C1 + C2 = 20 ... (1)

Applying the second condition x(1) = 10/e:
C1e-1 + C2e-2 = 10/e
This simplifies to: C1 + C2/e = 10 ... (2)

From equation (1): C1 = 20 - C2
Substituting in equation (2):
(20 - C2) + C2/e = 10
20 - C2 + C2/e = 10
C2(1/e - 1) = -10
C2 = 10e/(e - 1)
C1 = (10e - 20)/(e - 1)

Finally calculating x(2):
x(2) = C1e-2 + C2e-4
x(2) = [(10e - 20)/(e - 1)] × e-2 + [10e/(e - 1)] × e-4
x(2) = [1/(e - 1)] × [(10e - 20)e-2 + 10e·e-4]

Putting e = 2.718:
e - 1 = 1.718
After calculation: x(2) ≈ 0.856

Answer: x(2) = 0.856

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