Lesson 5: CC-SOLDEs Continued: The Complex Roots Case
Preview
In the previous lesson we solved the ODE describing a mass-spring system in the cases when the characteristic equation had roots that were real numbers. In this lesson we'll finish the analysis by describing the solutions to CC-SOLDEs when the roots of the characteristic equation are complex numbers.
In Module I we'll discuss complex numbers and their basic properties.
In Module II we'll introduction the complex exponential function and use it to describe the solution to the mass-spring problem when the roots are complex.
In Module III we'll complete our study of the mass-spring program by studying the effect of turning off the dissipative force, resulting in what is called the Free Vibrations case.
Review
Learn
Work through the lesson notes below, consulting the videos below it when you get to the "See Class Notes" boxes. For your records, the annotated lesson notes are below the videos. Some tips for you as you work through these resources:
I recommend using Cornell Notes (or a modification of it; see this video starting at the 1:05 mark) to take notes on the lesson and the videos. This note-taking method balances detail with big-picture thinking to help you summarize and retain what you are learning. See this other video for additional note-taking techniques you might want to experiment with.
Lesson Notes
Lesson 5.pdfClass Notes A
Class Notes B
Class Notes C
Class Notes D
Class Notes E
Class Notes F
Reflect
If you are currently enrolled in this course with me, submit the written reflections Google Form I have emailed you after working through the lesson notes and videos. Some tips:
Submit substantive, but concise, answers to each question; you will be doing the future you a big favor by taking time now to accurately and succinctly summarize what you have learned from the lesson.
Send yourself a copy of your reflections; they will come in handy later when you start preparing for quizzes and other assessments.
If you are not currently enrolled in this course with me, those written reflections ask three reflective questions designed to help you retain what you've learned and pinpoint any remaining areas of confusion. Those questions are:
Please summarize the main mathematical takeaways from the lesson notes.
What was the most interesting part of what you learned, and why?
What, if anything, do you still find confusing?
Practice
Work through the practice problems suggested below to see how much of this lesson you've understood.
Lesson 5 - Practice Problems.pdf