Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2012 / Paper 1 / 13 / c / Solution

The integrating factor is $e^{kx}$, giving $(e^{kx}y{)}^{\prime }=a{e}^{kx}\sin (mx)$. The required antiderivative isAfter dividing by $e^{kx}$, the general solution is the oscillatory term plus $C{e}^{-kx}$. The initial condition fixes $C=1+am/(k^2+m^2)$, soThe real, nonzero parameters ensure $k^2+m^2>0$; direct substitution verifies both the equation and $y(0)=1$.