Euler equations having double roots as a solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of solutions to Euler equations, specifically addressing the case when these equations have double roots. Participants explore the derivation of the second solution, which is proposed to be of the form $y_2(x)=x^r\ln{x}$.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to prove that the second solution to the Euler equations with double roots is $y_2(x)=x^r\ln{x}$.
  • Another participant mentions that variation of parameters is typically used as a proof method for such cases.
  • A different participant describes a change of variable, $u= \ln(x)$, which transforms the Euler-type equation into a differential equation with constant coefficients, suggesting that this method retains the characteristic values of the original equation.
  • This participant further elaborates that if the characteristic equation has a double root, the general solution can be expressed in terms of $u$, and subsequently converted back to $x$ to yield the proposed form involving $x^r$ and $\ln(x)$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various methods and perspectives on deriving the second solution, but there is no consensus on a singular approach or proof. Multiple viewpoints and techniques are discussed without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes complex transformations and assumptions regarding the nature of the Euler equations and their solutions, which may not be fully articulated or agreed upon by all participants.

WMDhamnekar
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If the Euler equations have double roots as it's solution, second solution will be $y_2(x)=x^r\ln{x}$. what is its proof? or how it can be derived?
 
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I believe variation of parameters is the usual proof method.
 
The change of variable, $u= \ln(x),$ converts an "Euler type equation" (also known as an "equipotential equation") to a differential equation with constant coefficients. If ax^2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+ bx\frac{dy}{dx}+ cy= 0 then, with u= \ln(x), \frac{dy}{dx}= \frac{dy}{du}\frac{du}{dx}= \frac{1}{x}\frac{dy}{du} and \frac{d^2y}{dx^2}= \frac{d}{dx}\left(\frac{1}{x}\frac{dy}{du}\right)= -\frac{1}{x^2}\frac{dy}{du}+ \frac{1}{x}\frac{d}{dx}\frac{dy}{du}= -\frac{1}{x^2}\frac{dy}{du}+ \frac{1}{x^2}\frac{d^2y}{du^2}.So ax^2\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+ bx\frac{dy}{dx}+ cy= a\frac{d^2y}{du^2}- a\frac{dy}{du}+ b\frac{dy}{du}+ cy= a\frac{d^2y}{du^2}+ (b- a)\frac{dy}{du}+ cy= 0.

The characteristic equation for that constant-coefficients equation is the same as for the Euler-type equation so both have the same characteristic values. In particular, if the characteristic equation has a double root, r, then the constant-coefficients equation has the general solution y(u)= Ae^{ru}+ Bue^{ru}. Since $u= \ln(x)$ the general solution in terms of $x$ becomes y(x)= Ae^{r \ln(x)}+ B \ln(x) e^{r \ln(x)}= A e^{\ln(x^r)}+ B \ln(x) e^{\ln(x^r)}= Ax^r+ B\ln(x) x^r.
 
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