Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2013 ia Paper 2 1A Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-07
The characteristic polynomial factors as , so the complementary solution is . Each exponential forcing resonates with a homogeneous mode; the method of undetermined coefficients therefore uses and . Substitution gives the particular solution . ThusThe initial conditions give and . HenceThe factors of in the particular solution are essential: an unmodified exponential trial lies in the kernel of the differential operator.