How Do You Solve a Second Order ODE Using Reduction of Order?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) using the method of reduction of order. Participants explore the specific equation t²y'' - 4ty' + 6y = 0, given a known solution y₁ = t², and attempt to derive a second solution.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their approach to the problem, substituting y = t²v(t) and deriving the equation t⁴v'' = 0, but expresses confusion about how to proceed from there.
  • Another participant suggests a characteristic equation approach, leading to the roots n = 2 or 3, indicating potential solutions of the form tn.
  • A later reply confirms that v''(t) = 0 implies v(t) is linear, proposing v(t) = t, which leads to the second solution y = t³.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method of reduction of order and the resulting solutions, but there is some uncertainty in the initial steps and the approach to integrating the derived equations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the use of integrating factors and the separation of variables method, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of these techniques in the context of the problem.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals studying differential equations, particularly those interested in methods for solving second-order ODEs and the reduction of order technique.

praecox
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Hey, guys. I'm having a hard time with a 2nd ODE reduction of order problem.

The DE is
t2y'' - 4ty' + 6y = 0, with y1 = t2.

So I set up my y = t2v(t); y' = t2v' + 2tv; y'' = t2v'' + 4tv' + 2v.
I then substituted back in and got:
t4v'' = 0

This is where I'm getting stuck. The book says that the answer I'm looking for is y2 = t3, but I can't seem to get there from here.

I don't think I can use an integrating factor here (if I'm wrong there let me know), so I tried separating the variables, but that got me no where. I think I did it wrong though.

Here was my separation of variables attempt:
letting w = v', so w' = v'':
t4dw/dt = 0
dw = t-4 dt
Integrating both sides (and taking constants of integration to be zero):
w = -1/3 t-3
since w = v':
dv = -1/3 t-3 dt
Integrating again to find v and still no where near t3.

Any ideas? Anybody? :/
 
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Let y=tn
n(n-1)tn-4ntn+6tn=0
(n-2)(n-3)tn=0
n=2 or 3
 
praecox said:
Hey, guys. I'm having a hard time with a 2nd ODE reduction of order problem.

The DE is
t2y'' - 4ty' + 6y = 0, with y1 = t2.

So I set up my y = t2v(t); y' = t2v' + 2tv; y'' = t2v'' + 4tv' + 2v.
I then substituted back in and got:
t4v'' = 0


Any ideas? Anybody? :/

v"(t)=0 hence v(t) is linear. Choose v(t)=t so that y = t2v(t)=t3.
 
That makes so much sense now! Thank you so much! :D
 

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