The set Second Order Equations-Constant Coefficient Homogeneous Basic has been reopened and is now due this upcoming Monday, March 20.

If you didn’t get a chance to complete this set last week, now’s a good time to catch up. The three sets that go with Section 5.2 of the textbook are:

  1. Second Order Equations-Constant Coefficient Homogeneous Basic,
  2. Second Order Equations-Constant Coefficient Homogeneous Repeated,
  3. Second Order Equations-Constant Coefficient Homogeneous Complex.

They align with each of the three cases we saw in class, depending on the nature of the roots of the characteristic polynomial (real and distinct, real and repeated, or complex conjugates).

You can use the summary we developed and wrote on the board at the beginning of Thursday’s class or you can derive the formulas yourself. Once you understand how the nature of the roots determines how to build your fundamental set of solutions $\{y_1, y_2\}$ (sometimes called “basic solutions” in WeBWorK), you’ll find you can answer these questions pretty quickly.

The reason I’ve reopened the basic set is that three sets together serve as building blocks for Sections 5.3 and 5.4. They’re pretty easy and you’ll find that what you do for these problems will be the first step in solving the equations on the upcoming set Second Order Equations-Nonhomogeneous Linear. So I want everyone to earn as close to 100% on these three sets as possible.

Please make sure your classmates are aware that this set has been reopened and good luck!