Unique soution of this 2nd order diff equation.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on finding the unique solution to a second-order differential equation of the form y’’(x) = 2xy’(x) + 4y(x), with initial conditions y(0) = y’(0) = 1. Participants explore various methods for solving the equation, including series solutions and the use of special functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the differential equation and initial conditions, seeking assistance in finding a unique solution.
  • Another participant questions the interpretation of the equation, specifically whether the term involves the variable x or a multiple of y’(x).
  • A different participant identifies the equation as homogeneous and suggests finding eigenvalues as a first step.
  • Some participants propose using a series solution, detailing the substitution of power series into the differential equation and deriving recurrence relations for coefficients.
  • One participant mentions that the general solution involves the error function and suggests a specific form of the solution based on the initial conditions.
  • Another participant elaborates on the series solution, providing detailed calculations for coefficients and presenting two solutions based on different values of s.
  • The final contributions summarize the general solution, applying the initial conditions to determine specific constants in the solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the differential equation, with multiple methods and interpretations presented. There is ongoing discussion regarding the nature of the equation and the implications of the initial conditions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the interpretation of terms in the equation and the implications of the initial conditions on the solution. The discussion includes various assumptions and steps that remain unresolved, particularly regarding the convergence of series solutions.

maverick40
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Hi guys have a big problem trying to find the unique solution to the 2nd order diff equation shown below:

y’’(x) = 2xy’(x) + 4y(x)

where y(0) = y’(0) = 1
 
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maverick40 said:
y’’(x) = 2xy’(x) + 4y(x)

where y(0) = y’(0) = 1

Is this the variable x or 2 times y'(x)?
 
Anyways, it looks like you've got a simple homogeneous equation here:

[tex]y'' = 2y' + 4y[/tex]

in which the 1st thing you need to do is find the eigenvalues.
 
magicarpet512 said:
Is this the variable x or 2 times y'(x)?

variable x, cheers!That is what's annoying about this equation.
 
Probably the best thing to do is to look for a series solution.

Let y= sum a_nx^n. Then y'= na_nx^{n-1} and y''= n(n-1)a_nx^{n-2}. Put those into the differential equation to get
sum n(n-1)a_nx^{n-2}= 2sum na_nx^n+ 4sum a_nx^n

On the left, let j= n-2 so that n= j+2, while letting j= n on the right, and we have
sum (j+2)(j+1)a_{j+2}x^j= sum 2(j+1)a_jx^j.

y(0)= a_0= 1 and y'(0)= a_1= 1.

Now, equate coefficients of the same powers:
a_{j+2}= (2/(j+2))a_j

when j= 0, a_2= (2/2)a_0= 1, when j= 1, a_3= (2/3)a_1= 4 so a_3= 2/3. When j= 2, a_4= (1/2)a_2= 1/2, a_5= (2/5)a_3= 4/15, etc.
 
The general solution of the ODE involves the erf function and more usual functions.
But, with the particular conditions y(0)=0 and y'(0)=1, simplifications occur.
So you may search a solution of the form y(x)=c*x*exp(x²)
 
\begin{array}\\y'' = 2xy' + 4y\\
y''-2xy'-4y=0(1)\\
y=x^s\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_kx^k\\
x\rightarrow 0, y\rightarrow x^s\\
s(s-1)x^{s-2}-2sx^s-4x^s=0\overset{x\rightarrow 0}{\rightarrow} s(s-1)=0\Rightarrow s=0,s=1\\
y=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_kx^{k+s}\\
y'=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(k+s)x^{k+s-1}\\
y''=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(k+s-1)(k+s)x^{k+s-2}\\\end{array}

Now substitute to (1)

\begin{array}\\\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(k+s-1)(k+s)x^{k+s-2}-2\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(k+s)x^{k+s}-4\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_kx^{k+s}=0\\
(k\rightarrow k+2)\\
\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_{k+2}(k+s+1)(k+s+2)x^{k+s}-2\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(k+s)x^{k+s}-4\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_kx^{k+s}=0\\
a_{k+2}(k+s+1)(k+s+2)x^{k+s}-2a_k(k+s)x^{k+s}-4a_kx^{k+s}=0\\
a_{k+2}(k+s+1)(k+s+2)-2a_k(k+s)-4a_k=0\\
a_{k+2}=\frac{2a_k(k+s)+4a_k}{(k+s+1)(k+s+2)}
=\frac{2(k+s+2)}{(k+s+1)(k+s+2)}a_k
=\frac{2}{k+s+1}a_k
\end{array}

Let [tex]a_0=1[/tex]
For the first solution (s=0) we have
\begin{array}\\\\a_{k+2}=\frac{2}{k+1}a_k\\
a_{2k}=\frac{2}{2k-1}a_{2k-2}=\frac{2}{2k-1}\frac{2}{2k-3}a_{2k-4}\\
a_{2k}=\frac{2}{2k-1}\cdot \frac{2}{2k-3}\cdot \frac{2}{2k-5}...\cdot \frac{2}{1}a_0=\frac{2^k}{(2k-1)(2k-3)(2k-5)...1}a_0=\frac{2^k(2k)(2k-2)(2k-4)...2}{(2k)(2k-1)(2k-2)(2k-3)(2k-4)(2k-5)...\cdot 2\cdot 1}\\
\\a_{2k}=\frac{2^{2k}(k)(k-1)(k-2)...1}{(2k)!}=\frac{4^kk!}{(2k)!}\end{array}

Therefore, the first solution is

[tex]y_1=x^0\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_{2k}x^{2k}=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{4^kk!}{(2k)!}x^{2k}[/tex] (The step is 2)

For the second solution (s=1) we have

\begin{array}\\a_{k+2}=\frac{2}{k+2}a_k\\
a_{2k}=\frac{2}{2k}a_{2k-2}=\frac{2}{2k-1}\frac{2}{2k-2}a_{2k-4}\\
a_{2k}=\frac{2}{2k}\cdot \frac{2}{2(k-1)}\cdot \frac{2}{2(k-2)}...\cdot \frac{2}{2}a_0=\frac{1}{(k)(k-1)(k-2)...1}a_0=\frac{1}{k!}\end{array}

Therefore, the second solution is

[tex]y_2=x^1\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_{2k}x^{2k}=x\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{(x^2)^k}{k!}=xe^{x^2}[/tex]

All in all

[tex]y=c_1xe^{x^2} +c_2\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{4^kk!}{(2k)!}x^{2k}[/tex]

Apply the boundary conditions:
\begin{array}\\y(0)=2c_2\Leftrightarrow c_2=\frac{1}{2}\\
y'(0)=c_1\Leftrightarrow c_1=1\end{array}


[tex]y=xe^{x^2}+\frac{1}{2}\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}\frac{4^kk!}{(2k)!}x^{2k}[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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