How Do You Solve the Series Solutions for y + xy = 0 and y'' + xy = 0?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion focuses on solving the differential equation series solutions for \( y + xy = 0 \) and \( y'' + xy = 0 \). The approach involves using power series, specifically \( y = \sum a(n)x^n \), and deriving a recurrence relation for the coefficients \( a(n) \). The final result establishes that \( a(2) = 0 \) and \( a(n) = -a(n-3) / [n(n-1)] \), providing a clear method for determining the coefficients in the series expansion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of power series and their convergence
  • Familiarity with differential equations, particularly second-order linear equations
  • Knowledge of recurrence relations and their applications in series solutions
  • Basic calculus, including differentiation and summation techniques
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  • Study the method of Frobenius for solving differential equations
  • Learn about convergence criteria for power series solutions
  • Explore the application of recurrence relations in combinatorial problems
  • Investigate the implications of arbitrary coefficients in series solutions
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Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone interested in solving differential equations using series methods will benefit from this discussion.

BobMarly
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Series solution for y"+x*y=0

Working on recurance realtion.
Get to (sum(n=2))n*(N-1)*a(n)*X^(n-2)+(sum(n=0))a(n)*x^(n)
Try several things but not sure if their correct.
 
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Try y = Ʃ a(n)*x^n
where n goes from 0 to infinity

Now y'' = Ʃ n(n-1)*a(n)*x^(n-2)
where n goes from 2 to infinity

and x*y = Ʃ a(n)*x^(n+1)
where n goes from 0 to infinity

We want these to have the same power of x i.e. n-2, so let's write them as follows:

y'' = 2*a(2) + Ʃ n(n-1)*a(n)*x^(n-2)
where n goes from 3 to infinity
(we just pulled the first term out of the summation)

x*y = Ʃ a(n-3)*x^(n-2)
where n goes from 3 to infinity
(index shift)

Thus we have y'' + x*y = 2*a(2) + Ʃ [ n(n-1)*a(n) + a(n-3) ]*x^(n-2)
where n goes from 3 to infinity.

We want this to equal zero, so we have that:
y = Ʃ a(n)*x^n, where
a(0) and a(1) are arbitrary,
a(2) = 0,
and a(n) = -a(n-3) / [n(n-1)]Hope that helps :)
 

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