Chapter 18: Problem 15
Obtain two linearly independent solutions valid for \(x > 0\) unless otherwise instructed. $$ 4 x^{2} y^{\prime \prime}+8 x(x+1) y^{\prime}+y=0. $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The linearly independent solutions are \(y_1 = x^{-1.5 + \sqrt{2}}\) and \(y_2 = x^{-1.5 - \sqrt{2}}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the type of equation
The given differential equation is \(4x^2 y'' + 8x(x+1)y' + y = 0\), which is a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation. It appears to be in Cauchy-Euler form.
02
Assume a solution of the form
For Cauchy-Euler equations, we typically assume a solution of the form \(y = x^m\). This assumption leverages the equation's structure since derivatives of \(x^m\) will yield terms proportional to powers of \(x\).
03
Calculate derivatives
Compute the derivatives: \(y' = mx^{m-1}\) and \(y'' = m(m-1)x^{m-2}\). Substitute these into the original equation.
04
Substitute into the differential equation
Substitute \(y = x^m\), \(y' = mx^{m-1}\), and \(y'' = m(m-1)x^{m-2}\) into the equation to get:\[4x^2[m(m-1)x^{m-2}] + 8x(x+1)[mx^{m-1}] + x^m = 0\]Simplify this to:\[4m(m-1)x^m + 8m(x+1)x^m + x^m = 0\]
05
Factor and simplify
Combine like terms and factor out \(x^m\):\[x^m[4m(m-1) + 8m(x+1) + 1] = 0\]This results in:\[x^m[4m^2 + 4m + 1] = 0\]
06
Solve the auxiliary equation
Set the expression inside the brackets equal to zero, leading to the auxiliary equation:\[4m^2 + 12m + 1 = 0\]Solve this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula \(m = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\), where \(a = 4\), \(b = 12\), and \(c = 1\).
07
Find roots of the auxiliary equation
The quadratic formula gives:\[m = \frac{-12 \pm \sqrt{144 - 16}}{8}\]Which simplifies to:\[m = \frac{-12 \pm \sqrt{128}}{8}\]\[m = \frac{-12 \pm 8\sqrt{2}}{8}\]\[m = -1.5 \pm \sqrt{2}\]
08
Obtain the general solution
The roots \(m_1 = -1.5 + \sqrt{2}\) and \(m_2 = -1.5 - \sqrt{2}\) provide two linearly independent solutions:\[y_1 = x^{m_1} = x^{-1.5 + \sqrt{2}}\]\[y_2 = x^{m_2} = x^{-1.5 - \sqrt{2}}\]The general solution, which is a linear combination of these independent solutions, is:\[y = C_1 x^{-1.5 + \sqrt{2}} + C_2 x^{-1.5 - \sqrt{2}}\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Linearly Independent Solutions
In differential equations, linearly independent solutions play a crucial role in forming a complete solution for homogeneous linear equations. When dealing with a second-order linear homogeneous equation, we need two solutions that are linearly independent to satisfy the general solution.
- Two solutions, say \(y_1\) and \(y_2\), are linearly independent if no constant multiple or linear combination of one solution equals the other.
- For example, \(y_1 = x^{m_1}\) and \(y_2 = x^{m_2}\) from the given problem are linearly independent.
Second-Order Linear Homogeneous Equations
Second-order linear homogeneous equations are among the most studied types of differential equations. They are characterized by their second derivative and their linear form.
- The word "homogeneous" implies that all terms depend linearly on the function \(y\) and its derivatives.
- The standard form of a second-order linear homogeneous differential equation is \(a(x)y'' + b(x)y' + c(x)y = 0\).
Auxiliary Equation
An auxiliary equation is essential in solving second-order linear homogeneous differential equations. This algebraic equation helps to find the solutions to these types of differential equations.
- The auxiliary equation is derived by assuming a solution of the differential equation in the form \(y = x^m\).
- Upon substitution, the derivatives of \(y\) turn the original differential equation into the auxiliary equation.
Quadratic Formula in Differential Equations
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool used to solve the auxiliary equation arising from second-order linear homogeneous differential equations.
This provides the exponents for the linearly independent solutions \(y_1\) and \(y_2\), which yields a complete solution to the original differential equation.
- It is applicable when the auxiliary equation is quadratic, as is commonly the case with Cauchy-Euler equations.
- The formula is given by \(m = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\).
This provides the exponents for the linearly independent solutions \(y_1\) and \(y_2\), which yields a complete solution to the original differential equation.