Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2003 / ia / Paper 2 / 7D / Solution

For the homogeneous solution, expand in the independent eigenvectors of $A$. Each coefficient obeys $c_j^{\prime }={\lambda }_j{c}_j$, so the complementary function isIf ${\mathbf{x}}_p$ is any particular integral, subtracting it from any other solution gives a homogeneous solution. Hence $\mathbf{x}={\mathbf{x}}_p+{\mathbf{x}}_c$ is the general solution. Complex-conjugate modes can be combined to produce real solutions when the forcing is real.

For a real two-by-two matrix, the characteristic polynomial is ${\lambda }^2-(\mathrm{tr}A)\lambda +\det A$. Under the stated distinct-eigenvalue assumption, all nonzero homogeneous modes are purely oscillatory exactly when the eigenvalues are $\pm i\omega$ with $\omega >0$. Their sum and product imply $\mathrm{tr}A=0$, $\det A={\omega }^2>0$. Conversely these trace and determinant conditions force those eigenvalues, so there is no exponential growth, decay or Jordan-block secular growth.

For the final specified initial-value problem, direct multiplication gives $A^2=-9I$. The forcing vector $\mathbf{b}=(2,3i-1{)}^T$ satisfies $A\mathbf{b}=3i\mathbf{b}$, so the forcing is resonant and $t\mathbf{b}{e}^{3it}$ is a particular integral. The matrix exponential isSince the resonant particular integral vanishes initially, the initial-value solution isThis complex solution is appropriate to the complex forcing as written. Taking real parts gives the corresponding solution for the real part of that forcing.