Change of independent variables

[jesuslovesu]

[SOLVED] Change of independent variables

Homework Statement

x = cos\theta
Show
(1-x^2)\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} - 2x\frac{dy}{dx} + 2y = 0
becomes
\frac{d^2y}{d\theta ^2}+ cot(\theta) \frac{dy}{d\theta} + 2y = 0

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

dx = -sin(\theta) d\theta
...
As a total stab in the dark I've tried substituting -sin(\theta) d\theta in for dx, but that didn't seem to work... and I don't think that is mathematically correct to begin with. How do I get the relationship between dy/dx and dy/dtheta? if y were given I think it would be a lot easier

 

[CompuChip]

Use this (let me call it "inverse chain rule")

\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{dy}{d\theta} \frac{d\theta}{dx}
where you can explicitly calculate the latter factor from the equation you wrote under (3).

Once you have that, you can do the same trick again:
\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = \frac{d}{dx} \frac{dy}{dx} = \left( \frac{d}{d\theta} \frac{dy}{dx} \right) \frac{d\theta}{dx}

 

[Defennder]

Did you leave out a factor of 2 for the coefficient of cot (theta) in the answer?

Should it be \frac{d^2y}{d\theta ^2}+ 2cot(\theta) \frac{dy}{d\theta} + 2y = 0 ?

 

[jesuslovesu]

Hey guys thanks for your replies, I'm trying it out right now.
Defennder: Nope, it's just cot

 

[jesuslovesu]

Got it, thanks