differential equations: choosing method to use for solving

[maeveoneill]

How do you decide whether to use the method of undetermined coefficients or variation of parameters to solve a given differential equation?

 

[royhaas]

With undetermined coefficients, you have to guess at a trial solution. With variation of parameters, you can handle a larger class of equations. If the right hand side does not look like it could be the solution to some equation with constant coefficients, perhaps you should use variation of parameters.

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Re: differential equations: choosing method to use for solvi

How do you decide whether to use the method of undetermined coefficients or variation of parameters to solve a given differential equation?

What does your textbook say?

Look at the example problems by which they have shown. Should be able to distinguish.