How Do You Solve the Differential Equation tx'' + sint x = 0 Using Power Series?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a power series solution to the differential equation \( tx'' + \sin t \, x = 0 \). Participants reference the series expansion of \( \frac{\sin t}{t} \) and explore how to apply this to the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss rewriting the differential equation in terms of power series and the implications of the series expansion for \( \sin t \). There are attempts to derive a recursion relation for the coefficients \( a_n \) and questions about the proper handling of indices in summations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on manipulating series and addressing issues with indices. There is an ongoing exploration of how to properly express the terms in a form suitable for finding a solution, but no consensus has been reached on the next steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants note challenges with LaTeX formatting and the complexity of the series involved. There is also mention of constraints regarding the handling of terms in the series and the need to ensure proper indexing.

Kak-Hazhar
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Homework Statement


using the fact that [tex]\frac{sint}{t}[/tex] = [tex]\sum^{}_{n=0}[/tex][tex]\frac{ (-1)[tex]^{n}[/tex] t[tex]^{2n}[/tex]}{(2n+1)!}[/tex]

i wanted to write:

using that sint/t = ∑ (-1)ⁿ·t²ⁿ/(2n+1)!

find a power series solution of the equation tx'' +sint x = 0

Homework Equations


sorry i pushed the wrong button,

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm a beginner at LaTeX, a disaster at LaTeX

i get something like ∑n(n-1)a_nt^(n-2) +sint∑a_n = 0
 
Last edited:
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Kak-Hazhar said:

Homework Statement


using the fact that [tex]\frac{sint}{t}[/tex] = [tex]\sum^{}_{n=0}[/tex][tex]\frac{ (-1)[tex]^{n}[/tex] t[tex]^{2n}[/tex]}{(2n+1)!}[/tex]

i wanted to write:

using that sint/t = ∑ (-1)ⁿ·t²ⁿ/(2n+1)!

find a power series solution of the equation tx'' +sint x = 0

Homework Equations


sorry i pushed the wrong button,


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm a beginner at LaTeX, a disaster at LaTeX

i get something like ∑n(n-1)a_nt^(n-2) +sint∑a_n = 0



You only need to use the tex-brackets at the beginning and at the end; don't clutter the formula with them. Also, you should use \sin (or\mathrm{sin}) instead of sin, makes the font right.

[tex]\frac{\sin t}{t} = \sum_{n=0}\frac{ (-1)^{n} t^{2n}}{(2n+1)!}[/tex]

Okay, so how do find a power series solution? You write the DE as a sum over powers of t and then require that the coefficient is zero for all n. That gives you a recursion relation between the coefficients a_n.

Kak-Hazhar said:
i get something like ∑n(n-1)a_nt^(n-2) +sint∑a_n = 0

You're missing a t and a t^n there. Then write out the series expansion for sint/t and you can find a formal solution of the form

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} A_n t^n = 0[/tex] where now A_n is something quite complicated, but it contains the recursion relation for the coefficients a_n. I am not sure if you can find an answer in terms of elementary functions; the form of the equation suggests to me that you can't.
 
clamtrox said:
You're missing a t and a t^n there. Then write out the series expansion for sint/t and you can find a formal solution of the form

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} A_n t^n = 0[/tex] where now A_n is something quite complicated, but it contains the recursion relation for the coefficients a_n. I am not sure if you can find an answer in terms of elementary functions; the form of the equation suggests to me that you can't.

Well this is how far i get:
Using that

[tex]\frac{\sin t}{t} = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n} t^{2n} }{(2n+1)!}[/tex]

for t≠0 i rewrite tx''+sint x =0 as

[tex](\aleph); x'' + \frac{\sin t}{t}x = 0[/tex]

[tex]Ansats: x(t) = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}t^{n}[/tex]

then

[tex]x''(t) = \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_{n}t^{n-2}[/tex]

pluggin this and the ansats for x(t) into [tex](\aleph)[/tex]

i get

[tex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_{n}t^{n-2} + \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n}t^{2n} }{(2n+1)!}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}t^{n}[/tex]

here is where I'm not 100% sure.

i multiply the last two series getting

[tex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_{n}t^{n-2} + \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n}t^{2n+1} }{(2n+1)!}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}[/tex]

which is equivalent to

[tex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_{n}t^{n-2} + \sin t\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}[/tex]

now what's next?
 
You cannot use the same indices with the two sums. Use for example m and n. What you should have then is something proportional to [tex]t^{2m+n}[/tex]. Now you need to rescale the sums so that you will have something of the form [tex]\sum A_n t^n[/tex] where then A_n will be zero for all n. So for example for the first sum you'd write
[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+2)(n+1) a_{n+2} t^{n}[/tex].
 
clamtrox said:
..you should have then is something proportional to [tex]t^{2m+n}[/tex]. Now you need to rescale the sums so that you will have something of the form [tex]\sum A_n t^n[/tex] where then A_n will be zero for all n. So for example for the first sum you'd write
[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} (n+2)(n+1) a_{n+2} t^{n}[/tex].

[tex] \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}n(n-1)a_{n}t^{n-2} + \sum_{m=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{m}t^{2m} }{(2m+1)!}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}t^{n} [/tex]

[tex]\Leftrightarrow[/tex]

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(n+2)(n+1)a_{n+2}t^{n} + \sum_{^{m=0}_{n=0}}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{m}t^{2m+n} }{(2m+1)!}a_{n}[/tex]

i know how to shift series and add them but now what?

sincerely
 
You shift the term on the right as well. Just notice when you do it: then you only sum over a finite number of m:s for each n.
 
clamtrox said:
You shift the term on the right as well. Just notice when you do it: then you only sum over a finite number of m:s for each n.

what's the substitution in the second series?

give me a hint
 
Since you want to have t^n there, you have to do n+2m -> n. Then a_n -> a_(n-2m), and the summation over m will be cut off by the fact that a_(-1) = 0. That's all there is to it.
 
clamtrox said:
Since you want to have t^n there, you have to do n+2m -> n. Then a_n -> a_(n-2m), and the summation over m will be cut off by the fact that a_(-1) = 0. That's all there is to it.

yes that is exactly what i tried but got confused.

i used 2m+n = k then m = 1/2·(k-n) and (2m+1)! --> (k+1-n)! and [tex]a_{n} \rightarrow a_{k-2m}[/tex]
 
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  • #10
You don't want to replace any m:s, only n:s. So the only things you need to touch are an and tn+2m. You should end up with

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \left[ (n+2)(n+1) a_{n+2} + \sum_{m=0}^{n/2} a_{n-2m} \frac{(-1)^m}{(2m+1)!}\right] t^n,[/tex]

where the sum over m goes to m=n/2 for even values of n and to m=(n-1)/2 for odd values.
 
  • #11
clamtrox said:
You don't want to replace any m:s, only n:s. So the only things you need to touch are an and tn+2m. You should end up with

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \left[ (n+2)(n+1) a_{n+2} + \sum_{m=0}^{n/2} a_{n-2m} \frac{(-1)^m}{(2m+1)!}\right] t^n,[/tex]

where the sum over m goes to m=n/2 for even values of n and to m=(n-1)/2 for odd values.

Danke Clamtrox
 

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