A3.1 Calculate the Laplace transforms of (i) and (ii) where is a constant.
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A3.2 Consider real matrices . Let be a positive definite and real symmetric matrix.
(i) Show that if is an eigenvalue of , then .
(ii) Deduce that and .
(iii) Let an invertible matrix. Show that is also positive definite.
(iv) Deduce that is also positive definite.
(v) Suppose that is positive definite. Show that is also positive definite.
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A3.3 Solve the initial value problem
by taking Laplace transforms. Use partial fractions at the final step of the calculation.
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A3.4 (i) Find the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of
(ii) By considering expressions of the form find the general solution to
This is a model for three identical particles on a common circular track, connected by elastic springs.
(iii) State how many independent constants your solution involves, and explain why this is the correct number.
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