Finding linearly independent solutions

1. Oct 15, 2006

highlander2k5

I'm having trouble understanding what to do for this problem. The question I'm trying to answer is: Find 3 linearly independent solutions to the following differential equation, y^(3) + 3y'' + 3y' + y = 0. I really don't know how to even start this problem and what I'm really looking for. I think I need to try to find a characteristic equation, but I don't know if it will deal with complex numbers or not. So far the only thing I can think of for the characteristic equation is r^2(r+3) + 3r + 1 = 0. Below is what I have so far.

Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track and if I've done these steps right so far? Also, what do I need to do next because I'm not sure how I know if I have 3 linearly independent solutions?

2. Oct 15, 2006

d_leet

Is y^(3) supposed to be y''', the third derivative of y? If so then you're characteristic equation is r3+3r2+3r+1=0. And while this is the same thing as r2(r+3)+3r+1=0 That equation does not have the roots r=0, r=-3, and r=-1/3. Does that first equation look at all familiar maybe the cube of some binomial?

3. Oct 15, 2006

highlander2k5

yes y^(3) is supposed to be y''' I was told that after y'' your supposed to use y^(n). As for the characteristic function I'm getting
r(r^2 + 3r + 3) + 1 = 0. I'm not sure how to break it down after that.

4. Oct 15, 2006

d_leet

What is (x+1)3?

5. Oct 15, 2006

highlander2k5

o da, thanks... okay, so I get (r+1)^3 = 0. Now for my general solution I get
y(x) = c1(e^-x) + c2x(e^-x) + c3(x^2)(e^-x). How do I figure out the 3 linearly independent solutions?

6. Oct 15, 2006

d_leet

Is y=e-x a solution?

Is y=x*e-x a solution?

Is y=x2*e-x a solution?

Are the three linearly independent?

7. Oct 16, 2006

highlander2k5

thanks for the help... I was totally over thinking this question.

8. Oct 16, 2006

d_leet

No problem glad to help, I tend to overthink things a lot of the time too.