Legendre's differential equation

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SUMMARY

Legendre's differential equation is defined as \((1-x^2)y''-2xy'+n(n+1)y=0\), with the general solution expressed as \(y=c_1P_n(x)+c_2Q_n(x)\) where \(n=0, 1, 2, 3,\ldots\). The functions \(P_n(x)\) represent Legendre polynomials, while \(Q_n(x)\) are Legendre functions of the second kind. For \(n=0\), the solution simplifies to \(P_0(x)=1\). The equation has singular points at \(\pm 1\), with one solution being finite for all finite \(x\) and the other being singular at these points.

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  • Understanding of second-order ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
  • Familiarity with Legendre polynomials and functions
  • Knowledge of singular points in differential equations
  • Proficiency in LaTeX for mathematical notation
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the question is in the jpg file
 

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Legendre's differential equation
\\

\[(1-x^2)y''-2xy'+n(n+1)y=0 \]

\\

The general solution is

\[y=c_1P_n(x)+c_2Q_n(x) \] where $n=1,2,3,...$

\\

$P_n(x)$ is Legendre polynomials and $Q_n(x)$ is Legendre functions of the second kind
\\ \\
From the general solutions of Legendre polynomials, we know that
\[
P_0(x)=1
\]
However, we can also find the same solution by letting n=0 for the legendre's differential equation

\[(1-x^2)y''-2xy'+=0 \]

\[\frac{\,dy'}{\,dx}=\frac{2xy'}{1-x^2}\]

\[\int \frac{\,dy'}{y'}=\int \frac{2x}{1-x^2}\]

\[\ln y' = -\ln |1-x^2| + D \]

\[y'=\frac{B}{1-x^2}\]

Find y is pretty straightforward

\[y=A\ln \left[B \left(\frac{1+x}{1-x}\right)\right]\]
 
The Legendre differential equation is a second-order ODE, so it has two linearly independent solutions for each n. P0(x)=1 is one of the two solutions for n=0. You found the other solution.

The Legendre differential equation has singular points at \pm 1. For a given n, one of the two solutions will be finite for all finite x, while the other solution will be singular at the singular points \pm 1. The first set of solutions (finite for all finite x) are the Legendre polynomials. The second set are the Legendre functions of the second kind.
 
BTW, you obviously know LaTeX. This forum supports LaTeX. The start of your post converted to vB LaTeX:

Legendre's differential equation

(1-x^2)y''-2xy'+n(n+1)y=0

The general solution is

y=c_1P_n(x)+c_2Q_n(x)\ \text{where}\ n=1,2,3,\cdots
 
The Legendre differential equation is a second-order ODE, so it has two linearly independent solutions for each n. P0(x)=1 is one of the two solutions for n=0. You found the other solution.

The Legendre differential equation has singular points at . For a given n, one of the two solutions will be finite for all finite x, while the other solution will be singular at the singular points . The first set of solutions (finite for all finite x) are the Legendre polynomials. The second set are the Legendre functions of the second kind


BTW, you obviously know LaTeX. This forum supports LaTeX. The start of your post converted to vB LaTeX:

Legendre's differential equation


The general solution is
y = cp(x)1 + dq(x)2 as n= 1,2,3..

i thik he give a good solution ..,
 

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