Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2005 Paper 1 10 a Solution Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-10-20
Factor the differential operator as , where . Its homogeneous solutions are , while a nonresonant particular solution is . Imposing the two zero initial conditions gives the exponential forcing response with zero initial dataOne direct derivation avoids a large simultaneous system. Set , so and . The integrating factor gives ; solving with produces the displayed expression. This also verifies the zero derivative at the origin, since .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2005 Paper 1 10 b Solution Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-10-20
Now , so the forcing coincides with a homogeneous exponential and requires a resonant exponential particular solution. With as above, and give . ThereforeIntegrating from zero yieldsIts numerator starts at order , ensuring both initial conditions. It is also the finite coalescing-rate limit of the nonresonant exponential forcing response with zero initial data.