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Differential EquationsHardSystems of Differential Equations

Systems of Differential Equations · Hard problem

Two pairs of coupled springs are released from rest at (1,1)(1,1): pair A obeys x′′=−2x+y, y′′=x−2yx''=-2x+y,\ y''=x-2y, and pair B obeys x′′=−3x+y, y′′=x−3yx''=-3x+y,\ y''=x-3y. Each oscillates at a single frequency (since (1,1)(1,1) is a shared eigenvector of both coupling matrices). Find the ratio of the longer period to the shorter period.