Quick Differential Equations Question

jofree87
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xy'' + y' = 0

Is it ok to multiply this whole equation by x to make it a cauchy-euler equation?
 
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Why not just put w=y' and then solve using an integrating factor?
 
Because this equation is under the cauchy-euler section of my book, so I am trying to figure out how it is done even though its not linear. Does anybody know if its possible to solve this as a cauchy-euler equation?
 
In that case, I believe you can multiply throughout by x and solve it so.
 
Actually, the diff. eq. is linear. Why do you think it's not?
 
jofree87 said:
xy'' + y' = 0

Is it ok to multiply this whole equation by x to make it a cauchy-euler equation?

Definitely yes, although as others have pointed out, that isn't the only way. But it is easy and quick.
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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