Recurrence Relation: Solving y''-2xy=0

  • Thread starter vipertongn
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In summary, the recurrence relation for the given differential equation is c_{2} (2)(1) + \sum_{n=0}(c_{n+3} (n+3)(n+2)+ 2c_n)x^{n+1} = 0, with starting points for the sum at n = 0.
  • #1
vipertongn
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Homework Statement



Find the recurrence relation for the following differential equation. You
do not need to solve the rest of the way.

y" − 2xy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not exactly sure how to do this problem but from the example of the book I tried this:

y"-2xy= [tex]\sum[/tex] cnn(n-1)xn-2- 2x[tex]\sum[/tex] cnxn+1 and replaced k=n-2 and k=n+1 simultaneously and kinda ended up with
(k+1)(k+2)ck+2+2ck-1= 0 k=1,2,3...

Is that correct?
 
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  • #2
not that you have to, but i usually keep the starting points of the sum & maybe use different dummy indicies to be clear, until you get the final relation

so assume
[tex]y= \sum_{n=0}c_nx^n[/tex]

differentiating twice gives
[tex]y''= \sum_{m=2}c_m m(m-1)x^{m-2}[/tex]

combining in the DE
[tex]y'' - 2xy = 0[/tex]

[tex]= \sum_{m=2} c_m m(m-1) x^{m-2} + 2x( \sum_{n=0} c_n x^n) [/tex]

[tex]= \sum_{m=2} c_m m(m-1) x^{m-2} + \sum_{n=0} 2 c_n x^{n+1} [/tex]

so now to compare terms make the substitution m -2 = n+1 which gives
m = n+3, n=m-3, when m = 2, n = -1

[tex]= \sum_{n=-1} c_{n+3} (n+3)(n+2)x^{n+1} + \sum_{n=0}2c_nx^{n+1}[/tex]

removing the n=-1 case we can then combine them
[tex] c_{2} (2)(1) + \sum_{n=0}(c_{n+3} (n+3)(n+2)+ 2c_n)x^{n+1} = 0[/tex]

hopefully i didn't make any mistakes
 

What is a recurrence relation?

A recurrence relation is a mathematical relationship that defines a sequence of values by relating each term to the previous term in the sequence.

What does the equation y''-2xy=0 mean?

This equation is a second-order homogeneous linear recurrence relation, which means that it relates the second derivative of a function y to the function itself and its first derivative.

How can I solve a recurrence relation?

To solve a recurrence relation, you can use various techniques such as substitution, iteration, or generating functions. In this specific equation, one can use the power series method or the Frobenius method to find a closed-form solution.

What is the significance of the equation y''-2xy=0 in mathematics?

This equation is commonly used in physics, engineering, and other scientific fields to model various phenomena that involve change over time.

Can recurrence relations be solved numerically?

Yes, recurrence relations can also be solved numerically using techniques such as finite differences, which involve approximating the derivatives in the equation with finite differences.

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