? - infinitely differentiable solutions to initial value problems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the conditions under which solutions to second-order differential equations are infinitely differentiable on the set of positive real numbers. Participants explore various examples and seek theoretical frameworks that could address these questions without requiring explicit solutions to the equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a theory exists that can determine if solutions to initial value problems of second-order differential equations are infinitely differentiable on positive real numbers, providing examples of equations with differing differentiability properties.
  • Another participant asserts that any solution must be in C², suggesting this is sufficient for most purposes, but does not address the specific question of infinite differentiability.
  • A later reply clarifies that while some solutions may be defined on intervals, the focus is on identifying which differential equations yield infinitely differentiable functions across all positive reals.
  • One participant mentions the Lipschitz and Peano theorems regarding the uniqueness and existence of solutions, noting uncertainty about whether these results guarantee smooth solutions.
  • Another participant introduces the concept of the Painleve property, suggesting it may relate to the original question about the analyticity of solutions.
  • There is a proposal for a quantitative measure to assess the likelihood of a solution being analytic based on the quality of input data, although this remains speculative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions under which solutions are infinitely differentiable, and no consensus is reached regarding a unifying theory or framework that addresses the original question.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of explicit definitions for the types of solutions being discussed and the dependence on the specific forms of the differential equations. The discussion also highlights unresolved mathematical steps in determining differentiability properties.

QQ
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Hi,

I am interested to know whether a theory exists that allows to answer the following sort of question.

Does a solution of initial value problem of second order differential equation is infinitely differentiable on the set of positive real numbers?

For example,

1) the solution of {y''=y^2, y(0)=1, y'(0)=0} is a function y(t) that goes to infinity as t approaches 2.9744 ... and thus is not infinitely differentiable.

2) {y''=-1/y, y(0)=1,y'(0)=0} is not infinitely differentiable as well, since first order derivative goes to infinity as t approaches 1.25...

3) on the contrary, for {y''=1/y, y(0)=1,y'(0)=0}, y(t) is infinitely differentiable on the set of reals.

So, is there any theory which helps to answer such sort of questions without explicitely solving an equation or system of equations?
 
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1) the solution you suggest is not defined on the real numbers

2) erm, the equation x^{1/2} has derivative tending to infinity at the origin, that doesn't stop it being defined there

All you can say is that any solution must be in C^2, and that is sufficient for most purposes I can think of.
 
matt grime said:
1) the solution you suggest is not defined on the real numbers

Ok, here it is defined at least on interval (0, 2.97...),
but that is the question, for which differential equations the solution is defined on all real positives and is infinitely differentiable on all real positives?

2) erm, the equation x^{1/2} has derivative tending to infinity at the origin, that doesn't stop it being defined there

Yes, function is defined, but not the derivative!

All you can say is that any solution must be in C^2, and that is sufficient for most purposes I can think of.

Well, I am interested which differential equations define real analytic functions on at least real positive numbers, and hence at first need to know which of them define infinitely differentiable functions (C^infinity).
 
lipschitz and peano are the names for the uniquness and existence of solutions (in that order) of a differential equation, but i don't recall the exact wording of the result (ie if it is a smooth solution or just a solution).

there are various results about this kind of thing but i can't think of where to look for a unifying one, sorry.
 
what your problem reminds me of

Hi, QQ;

1) Your problem reminds me of a question which puzzles me:
Imagine that we have a graph for a solution of some DE. I mean, all comparatively precise data for x and y(x). The question is: Does any procedure exist that can give us the quantitive measure of this solution being an analytic function (generally, a superposition of any given set of functions), e.g.: P=74%? If this probability is going up when we increase the quality of input data x and y(x), the solution could be analytic and there is an additional chance that we'll be able to find it.

2) Have you heard about Painleve property (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/PainleveProperty.html)? I think it could be connected to your problem.

Best of luck,
Max.
 

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