Solving Initial Value ODE: x^2y''+xy'+y=0

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The discussion centers on solving the initial value problem for the differential equation x²y'' + xy' + y = 0 with given conditions. The proposed solution involves assuming y = x^m, leading to the characteristic equation with roots m = ±i. The confusion arises regarding the form of the solution, with some participants noting the discrepancy between the found solution in terms of x^r and the textbook's e^(rt) format. A key point is the transformation using the substitution t = ln(x), which allows the use of exponential functions to express the solution correctly. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding this transformation to reconcile the different forms of the solution.
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Homework Statement



Solve the initial value problem:

<br /> x^{2}{y}&#039;&#039; + x{y}&#039; + y = 0, x&gt;0, y(1)=1, {y}&#039;=2<br />


Homework Equations



y=x^m


The Attempt at a Solution



<br /> x^{2}(m(m-1)x^{m-2})+xmx^{m-1} + x^{m}<br />

<br /> x^{2}(m(m-1)x^{m-2})+xmx^{m-1} + x^{m}<br />

<br /> x^{m}(m(m-1) + m + 1)<br />

<br /> m = \pm i<br />

This is the way i was doing it:
<br /> C_1 e^{it} + C_2 e^{-it}<br />

<br /> C_1(cos(t) + i sin(t)) + C_2(cos(t) - i sin(t))<br />


The solution shows:
<br /> C_1 x^{i} + C_2 x^{-i}<br />
<br /> C_1(cos(ln(x)) + i sin(ln(x))) + C_2(cos(ln(x)) - i sin(ln(x)))<br />


With the initial conditions indicate that the solution is correct. Yet the textbook shows the form to be:

<br /> <br /> Y(x) = C_1 e^{r_1 x} + C_2 e^{r_2 x}<br /> <br />

not

<br /> <br /> Y(x) = C_1 x^{r_1} + C_2 x^{r_2}<br />

And if the second form is correct, I have not found an Euler identity that supports the step.
 
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freezer said:

Homework Statement



Solve the initial value problem:

<br /> x^{2}{y}&#039;&#039; + x{y}&#039; + y = 0, x&gt;0, y(1)=1, {y}&#039;=2<br />

Homework Equations



y=x^m

The Attempt at a Solution



<br /> x^{2}(m(m-1)x^{m-2})+xmx^{m-1} + x^{m}<br />

<br /> x^{2}(m(m-1)x^{m-2})+xmx^{m-1} + x^{m}<br />

<br /> x^{m}(m(m-1) + m + 1)<br />

<br /> m = \pm i<br />

This is the way i was doing it:
<br /> C_1 e^{it} + C_2 e^{-it}<br />
Your assumption was that y = xm was a solution. Using that assumption, you solved for m and got ±i.
freezer said:
<br /> C_1(cos(t) + i sin(t)) + C_2(cos(t) - i sin(t))<br />The solution shows:
<br /> C_1 x^{i} + C_2 x^{-i}<br />
<br /> C_1(cos(ln(x)) + i sin(ln(x))) + C_2(cos(ln(x)) - i sin(ln(x)))<br />With the initial conditions indicate that the solution is correct. Yet the textbook shows the form to be:

<br /> <br /> Y(x) = C_1 e^{r_1 x} + C_2 e^{r_2 x}<br /> <br />

not

<br /> <br /> Y(x) = C_1 x^{r_1} + C_2 x^{r_2}<br />

And if the second form is correct, I have not found an Euler identity that supports the step.

I'm confused. You say that
freezer said:
The solution shows:
C_1 x^{i} + C_2 x^{-i}
C_1(cos(ln(x)) + i sin(ln(x))) + C_2(cos(ln(x)) - i sin(ln(x)))

and then you say
freezer said:
Yet the textbook shows the form to be:

Y(x) = C_1 e^{r_1 x} + C_2 e^{r_2 x}

Which of these does your book show as the solution?

If the solution you found (i.e., y = c1xi + c2x-i) satisfies the differential equation, then it is the general solution. From the initial conditions you can find the constants c1 and c2.
 
You have the correct solution. From your findings of two linearly independent solutions
y_1(x)=\exp(\mathrm{i} \ln x), \quad y_2(x)=\exp(-\mathrm{i} \ln x).
The general solution is given by
y(x)=C_1 y_1(x) + C_2 y_2(x).
You can also choose any other two linearly independent solutions, e.g.,
\tilde{y}_1(x)=\frac{1}{2} [y_1(x)+y_2(x)]=\cos(\ln x), \quad \tilde{y}_1(x) = \frac{1}{2 \mathrm{i}} [y_1(x)+y_2(x)]=\sin(\ln x).
The general solution is again given by all linear combinations of these two functions.
 
Okay, where does the ln x come from?
 
Mark44 said:
Your assumption was that y = xm was a solution. Using that assumption, you solved for m and got ±i.


I'm confused. You say that


and then you say


Which of these does your book show as the solution?

If the solution you found (i.e., y = c1xi + c2x-i) satisfies the differential equation, then it is the general solution. From the initial conditions you can find the constants c1 and c2.


The textbook shows in the examples the e^{rt} while the solution to this problem shows x^r and there is nothing in the text of the chapter that shows this process. I was able to take cos(ln(x) + i sin(ln(x) back to x^i in wolfram but not sure what i am missing where the ln(x) is coming from and the identity for the x^i.
 
freezer said:
The textbook shows in the examples the e^{rt} while the solution to this problem shows x^r and there is nothing in the text of the chapter that shows this process. I was able to take cos(ln(x) + i sin(ln(x) back to x^i in wolfram but not sure what i am missing where the ln(x) is coming from and the identity for the x^i.

xm = (eln(x))m = em*ln(x). This holds as long as x > 0.
 
Mark44 said:
xm = (eln(x))m = em*ln(x). This holds as long as x > 0.

Sure e^{ln(x)} = x, but where did the ln(x) come from. I have went through the chapters in the book and I have not found a single theorem or example that shows this.

The examples from the chapter show that when you get your zeros, you use e^{rt). In this case in place of t they used ln(x). I just don't see where the ln(x) came from or what basis this was done with this problem.

Even over at Pauls notes does not show this:
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/DE/ComplexRoots.aspx
 
Last edited:
Perhaps your text or teacher has talked about how the equation ##ax^2y''+bxy' + cy = 0## can be converted to a similar constant coefficent equation ##a\ddot y + b\dot y + cy = 0## by the change of variable ##t=\ln x##. Then you solve the second equation for y as a function of ##t## with your usual ##e^{rt}## method. Once you have that solution you put ##t=\ln x## in and presto, you have the solution to the original problem. The method you describe sounds like that is what they are doing.
 
freezer said:

Homework Statement



Solve the initial value problem:

<br /> x^{2}{y}&#039;&#039; + x{y}&#039; + y = 0, x&gt;0, y(1)=1, {y}&#039;=2<br />

Homework Equations



y=x^m

The Attempt at a Solution



...
<br /> m = \pm i<br />

This is the way i was doing it:
<br /> C_1 e^{it} + C_2 e^{-it}<br />

You did not specify what t is. y is function of x. You assumed the solutions in form y=x^m and you got

<br /> m = \pm i<br />

The solutions are y1=xi and y2=x-i, the general solution is y=C1xi+C2x-i.

x=e^{\ln(x)}.

With that, you can write the solution also in the form
<br /> y=C_1 e^{i\ln(x)}+ C_2 e^{-i\ln(x)}<br />ehild
 
Last edited:
  • #10
LCKurtz said:
Perhaps your text or teacher has talked about how the equation ##ax^2y''+bxy' + cy = 0## can be converted to a similar constant coefficent equation ##a\ddot y + b\dot y + cy = 0## by the change of variable ##t=\ln x##. Then you solve the second equation for y as a function of ##t## with your usual ##e^{rt}## method. Once you have that solution you put ##t=\ln x## in and presto, you have the solution to the original problem. The method you describe sounds like that is what they are doing.

I noticed a typo after it was too late to edit. The equation ##a\ddot y + b\dot y + cy = 0## should have been ##A\ddot y + B\dot y + Cy = 0##. The transformed equation has different constants than the original.
 

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