ODE Series Solution Near Regular Singular Point, x^2*y term?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a series solution for a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) near a regular singular point. The specific equation under consideration is 5x²y'' + 4xy' + 10x²y = 0, with a focus on the larger root of the indicial equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the form of the series solution and the implications of the regular singular point. There are attempts to manipulate the series and combine terms, particularly addressing the challenge of the x^{r+n+2} term. Some participants explore shifting indices to align series terms for combination.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights into the manipulation of series and the importance of index shifting. There is ongoing exploration of how to derive a recurrence relation from the combined series, with some noting the need to relate coefficients effectively. No consensus has been reached on the final approach, but productive suggestions have been made.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the methods they can use. The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the correct handling of series terms and the implications of the indicial equation.

abalmos
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ODE Series Solution Near Regular Singular Point, x^2*y term? (fixed post body)

Homework Statement



Find the series solution (x > 0) corresponding to the larger root of the indicial equation.

[tex]5x^{2}y'' + 4xy' + 10x^{2}y = 0[/tex]

Homework Equations



Solution form:

[tex]y = \sum_{i=0}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\lim_{x\to\0}\frac{4x}{5x^{2}}x = \frac{4}{5} < \infty[/tex]

[tex]\lim_{x\to\0}\frac{10x^{2}}{5x^{2}}x^{2} = 2x^{2} = 0 < \infty[/tex]

The singular point is regular, and the solution should be in the form of (and its derivatives):

[tex]y = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n}[/tex]

[tex]y' = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n-1}[/tex]

[tex]y'' = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n-2}[/tex]

Plug the solution form into the ODE:

[tex]5x^{2}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n-2} + 4x\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n-1} + 10x^{2}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n}[/tex]

Multiply the x terms into the series:

[tex]5\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n} + 4\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n} + 10\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n+2}[/tex]

Here is where my trouble lies. My understanding is that I am trying to pull out the [tex]a_{0}[/tex] term of the series which will leave behind the indicial equation I am also to combine all of the series into one, factor out the x term, and then find the recurrence relation for the series term.

My problem specifically is the last term, which now has a [tex]x^{r+n+2}[/tex] that I can't fit into the rest of the series.

These are my attempts:

1) Blindly pull out [tex]a_{0}[/tex]:

[tex]5a_{0}(r)(r-1)x^{r} + 4a_{0}r^{r} + 10a_{0}x^{r+2} + 5\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n} + 4\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n} + 10\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n+1}[/tex]

Stuck because of the [tex]x^{r+2}[/tex] term in the indicial equation and the last series term [tex]x^{r+n+2}[/tex] is still an issue...

2) Try to combine series first

Can't find a way to shift the indexes so that they are all the same and have an x exponent that will allow me to factor them out after I combine the series.

3) Desperately ignore term 3 and pull out [tex]a_{0}[/tex] from just the first two terms, even though this seems very wrong.

[tex]5a_{0}(r)(r-1)x^{r} + 4a_{0}r^{r} + 5\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n} + 4\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n} + 10\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n+1}[/tex]

leaving the indicial equation of:

[tex]a_{0}(5r^{2}-r) = 0[/tex]
[tex]r = 0, \frac{1}{5}[/tex]

This is somewhat rewarding, 1/5 is available choice for the r value (multiple choice question), and r = 0 seems to be correct for the version of the question which ask to find the solution for the lowest r.

But I am still not sure how to combine the series...

I have looked and many examples online but I am unable to find an example which ends up with [tex]r+n+2[/tex] exponent for x and I am thoroughly out of ideas.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
- Andrew Balmos
 
Last edited:
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abalmos said:
Multiply the x terms into the series:

[tex]5\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1)x^{r+n} + 4\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}(r+n)x^{r+n} + 10\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}a_{n}x^{r+n+2}[/tex]

Here is where my trouble lies. My understanding is that I am trying to pull out the [tex]a_{0}[/tex] term of the series which will leave behind the indicial equation I am also to combine all of the series into one, factor out the x term, and then find the recurrence relation for the series term.

The main trick with this solution method is that you can rename the indices. In this case you change the index in the final sum so it matches the first two terms. Let n=n-2, then the lower index on the sum is n=2 and the third term is
[tex]10\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}a_{n-2}x^{r+n}[/tex]

Now you can pull out the terms for n=0 and n=1 and combine all three sums into one summation (from n=2 to infinity), which will give the recurrence relation. You'll find that the r values from the indicial equation for [itex]a_0[/itex] is the same as what you calculated, since the third sum doesn't contribute an [itex]a_0[/itex] term.
 
Brian-san:

Thank you very much for your help! Unfortunately I got stuck again.

Shifting the other index's to the right twice to match the last series term was a great idea, but I fear now you can not find a recurrence relation.

Currently this is what I got:

[tex]a_{0}r(5r-1)x^{r} + a_{1}(5r^{2} + 9r + 4)x^{r+1} + \sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(5a_{n}(r+n)(r+n-1) + 4a_{n}(r+n) + 10a_{n})x^{r+n}[/tex]

So like before [tex]r = { 0, \frac{1}{5} }[/tex]

In a attempt to find the recurrence relation I put [tex]r = \frac{1}{5}[/tex] in the final series:

[tex]\sum_{n=2}^{\infty}(5a_{n}(\frac{1}{5} + n)(n - \frac{4}{5}) + 4a_{n}(\frac{1}{5} + n) + 10a_{n})x^{n + \frac{1}{5}}[/tex]

Which forces all [tex]a_{n} = 0[/tex]

Which while it would be nice, but clearly I a still making a mistake somewhere.

Of course I realize that I need to be using the [tex]a_{1}(5r^{2} + 9r + 4)x^{r+1}[/tex] terms but I am not sure how to do that.

Maybe relate the [tex]a_{1}[/tex] to the [tex]a_{n}[/tex] terms? I am not sure how that could be done usefully...

Thank for any more help you can provide,
- Andrew Balmos
 
Brain-san:

I missed a crucial detail in your post yesterday!

When I shifted the index I forgot to minus the index shift off the n's in the series, when you do that you have a [tex]a_{n-2}[/tex] term which can be used to find the recurrence relation.

Its always the obvious things I miss for me...

Thank you very much!

- Andrew Balmos
 

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