# Higher Order Differential Equation: Substitution

1. Nov 6, 2013

### AATroop

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Solve $x^{2}\times y'' - 4 \times x \times y' + 6 \times y = 0$ for $y(x)$ by first using the substitution $v = ln(x)$ to obtain an equation involving $y, dy/dv, d^2y/dv^2$ and no $x$. Solve for $y(v)$, then return to $y(x)$.

2. Relevant equations

NA

3. The attempt at a solution

I know how to solve the differential once I substitute in for $v$, but what I'm not getting right is the substitution for the derivatives. I know $dy/dx = dy/dv \times dv/dx = dy/dv \times \frac{1}{x}$, but what I can't figure out is $d^2y/dx^2$. I got $-dy/dv \times \frac{ln(x)}{x^2}$, but that's not giving me the right answer (I checked w/ Wolfram Alpha). So, I'm a bit stuck on that.
Any help is appreciated, thanks.

2. Nov 7, 2013

### ehild

The derivative of a product fg is (fg) ' =f 'g + f g '. (dy/dv) (1/x) is a product of the functions (dy/dv) and 1/x. Apply the chain rule again when you derive dy/dv with respect to x.

ehild

3. Nov 7, 2013

### AATroop

Yeah, I think I just got it. My new result for $d^2y/dx^2 = dy^2/dv^2 * \frac{1}{x^2} - dy/dv * \frac{1}{x^2}$. I think that's right because the diff eq worked out pretty well from there.

4. Nov 7, 2013

Well done!

ehild

5. Nov 7, 2013

### AATroop

Awesome! Thanks a bunch for your help.