Linear Algebra: Solving IVP for X' = AX with Matrix A and Initial Condition

Published on May 29, 2025

Calculus

Solve the initial value problem (IVP) for a system of linear differential equations X' = AX, finding the particular solution given the matrix A and initial condition X(0). The solution involves finding eigenvalues, eigenvectors, and applying the initial condition.

Question

Answer

The problem asks to solve the Initial Value Problem (IVP) for the system of differential equations with a given matrix and initial condition .
The given information is:
Differential equation:
Matrix
Initial condition:
To solve this IVP, we first need to find the general solution of . This involves finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of matrix .
Step 1: Find the eigenvalues of .
The eigenvalues are found by solving the characteristic equation .
Setting the determinant to zero:
This gives two eigenvalues:

Step 2: Find the eigenvectors corresponding to each eigenvalue.
For :
We need to solve :
From the first row, .
From the second row, .
can be any non-zero value. Let .
So, the eigenvector for is .
For :
We need to solve :
From the first row, .
Let . Then .
So, the eigenvector for is .
Step 3: Write the general solution.
The general solution is .
Step 4: Use the initial condition to find and .
We are given .
Substitute into the general solution:
Equating this to the given initial condition:
From the second component, .
Substitute into the first component:
.
Step 5: Write the particular solution.
Substitute the values of and back into the general solution:
The final answer is .