Undergrad Differential equation using power series method

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The discussion revolves around solving a differential equation using the power series method. The initial solution presented raises concerns about its correctness due to a messy appearance and a convergence radius of zero, which only provides a solution at x=0, conflicting with the initial condition y(1)=2. Participants emphasize the need to express the series correctly and derive a recurrence relation for the coefficients c_k, leading to the conclusion that c_{k+1} can be expressed in terms of c_k. A general solution is identified as y = A(x + 3)^{-2}, and the manipulation of series terms is clarified to ensure proper handling of the coefficients. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly setting up the power series and comparing coefficients to find a valid solution.
Graham87
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Differential equation using power series method
I am attempting to solve this differential equation with power series
Screenshot 2023-12-20 135848.png


I came with the following solution but I doubt it is correct.
Screenshot 2023-12-20 140010.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 140022.png


Since x=1 we get:
Screenshot 2023-12-20 140039.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 140053.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 140111.png

I doubt its correctness because it looks messy. Also the convergence radian R goes to 0, giving only a solution for x=0 which is not correct, since the beginning condition states y(1)=2.
Screenshot 2023-12-20 140120.png
 

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If you set y(x) = \sum_{k=0}^\infty c_k(x - 1)^k then x cannot appear in the recurrence relation for c_k; the c_k are supposed to be independent of x. You need to write \begin{split}(x + 3)y&#039; &amp;= <br /> (x - 1 + 4)\sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x-1)^{k-1} \\<br /> &amp;= \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x - 1)^k + 4\sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x- 1)^{k-1} \end{split} and then compare coefficients of (x-1)^k.
 
pasmith said:
If you set y(x) = \sum_{k=0}^\infty c_k(x - 1)^k then x cannot appear in the recurrence relation for c_k; the c_k are supposed to be independent of x. You need to write \begin{split}(x + 3)y&#039; &amp;=<br /> (x - 1 + 4)\sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x-1)^{k-1} \\<br /> &amp;= \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x - 1)^k + 4\sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k (x- 1)^{k-1} \end{split} and then compare coefficients of (x-1)^k.
Oh, I tried that too but did not go through it completely. So I get thefollowing:
Screenshot 2023-12-20 162206.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 162211.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 162217.png

However the general solution formula does not seem obvious. Where might I have gone wrong?
 
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You can write the ODE as <br /> \sum_{k=0}^\infty ( kc_k + 4(k+1)c_{k+1} + 2c_k )(x-1)^k = 0 from which it follows that <br /> c_{k+1} = -\frac{k+2}{4(k+1)}c_k, \quad k \geq 0. This linear first-order recurrence can be easily solved, since the general solution of <br /> a_{k+1} = f(k)a_k is <br /> a_k = a_0 \prod_{r=0}^{k-1} f(r). Note that by inspection y = A(x + 3)^{-2} is the general solution of (x + 3)y&#039; + 2y = 0 so that you can check your answer against \begin{split}<br /> y(x) &amp;= 16y(1)(x + 3)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= 16y(1)(x - 1 + 4)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= y(1) \left(1 + \frac{x-1}{4}\right)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= y(1) \left(1 - 2\frac{x-1}4 + \dots<br /> + \frac{(-2)(-3) \cdots (-n - 1)}{n!}\left(\frac{x-1}4\right)^n + \dots \right)\end{split}
 
pasmith said:
You can write the ODE as <br /> \sum_{k=0}^\infty ( kc_k + 4(k+1)c_{k+1} + 2c_k )(x-1)^k = 0 from which it follows that <br /> c_{k+1} = -\frac{k+2}{4(k+1)}c_k, \quad k \geq 0. This linear first-order recurrence can be easily solved, since the general solution of <br /> a_{k+1} = f(k)a_k is <br /> a_k = a_0 \prod_{r=0}^{k-1} f(r). Note that by inspection y = A(x + 3)^{-2} is the general solution of (x + 3)y&#039; + 2y = 0 so that you can check your answer against \begin{split}<br /> y(x) &amp;= 16y(1)(x + 3)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= 16y(1)(x - 1 + 4)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= y(1) \left(1 + \frac{x-1}{4}\right)^{-2} \\<br /> &amp;= y(1) \left(1 - 2\frac{x-1}4 + \dots<br /> + \frac{(-2)(-3) \cdots (-n - 1)}{n!}\left(\frac{x-1}4\right)^n + \dots \right)\end{split}
I tried that, but I get stuck in the manipulation on the most left sum to k=0?
Screenshot 2023-12-20 162206.png

From your answer it turned to this somehow?
Screenshot 2023-12-20 181951.png

Shouldn't the most left term be
Screenshot 2023-12-20 183210.png
 
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No; <br /> (x-1)y&#039; = \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k = \sum_{k=0}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k because 0c_0(x-1)^0 = 0.
 
pasmith said:
No; <br /> (x-1)y&#039; = \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k = \sum_{k=0}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k because 0c_0(x-1)^0 = 0.
Yeah, I realised that too! Thanks alot!
 
pasmith said:
No; <br /> (x-1)y&#039; = \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k = \sum_{k=0}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k because 0c0(x−1)0=0.
Are you sure about this?
I did like this:
Screenshot 2023-12-20 192440.png

And since x=1 we get the following
Screenshot 2023-12-20 192448.png

And eventually
Screenshot 2023-12-20 192615.png

Screenshot 2023-12-20 192625.png
 
The fundamental issue here is that (x- 1)\sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^{k-1} = \sum_{k=1}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^{k} = \sum_{k=0}^\infty kc_k(x-1)^k.
 

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