# 2nd order homogeneous

1. Aug 17, 2010

### beetle2

Hi Guys,

I know how to find the solution to a 2nd order homogeneous with constant coefficients but how do you solve one with a non constant
ie

x^2y''+2xy' ....... etc = 0

Is there a general solution formula for these types of problems?

My book seems to jump from 2nd order homogeneous with constant coefficients straight to
2nd order non homogeneous with undetermined coefficients.
any help greatly appreciated.

2. Aug 18, 2010

### ross_tang

Hello, beetle2. It didn't mentioned 2nd order with variable coefficients, since there is no general method in solving that. However, what you can do is by guessing the first solution. Then you can find the 2nd one using various method, such as:

http://www.voofie.com/content/84/solving-linear-non-homogeneous-ordinary-differential-equation-with-variable-coefficients-with-operat/" [Broken]

At last, I don't really like undetermined coefficients method, which is highly restricted in the class of function you can solve. You may wanna have a look at:

http://www.voofie.com/content/6/introduction-to-differential-equation-and-solving-linear-differential-equations-using-operator-metho/" [Broken]

Lastly, for various tutorial, paper, articles, discussion in Ordinary differential equations, you may refer to:

http://www.voofie.com/concept/Ordinary_differential_equation/" [Broken]

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
3. Aug 18, 2010

### HallsofIvy

The specific example you give, with the coefficient of each derivative being a power of x, with power equal to the degree of the derivative, $ax^2y''+ bxy+ cy= 0$ is an "equi-potential" or "Euler-type" equation. "Trying" a solution of the form $x^r$, in the same way you "try" a solution of the form $e^{rx}$ for equations with constant coefficients.

That works because the substitution t= ln(x) reduces an "Euler-type" equation with independent variable x to a "constant coefficients" equation with independent variable t.

For more general linear equations with variable coefficients, you typically have to try power series solutions. Let $y= \sum a_n x^n$, substitute that and its derivatives into the equation and try to find the coefficients, $a_n$.

4. Aug 21, 2010

### aq1q

Last edited: Aug 21, 2010