What Values of X Result in Real Double Roots for This Polynomial?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the values of X that yield real double roots for a specific polynomial, as well as exploring the implications of a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) related to the polynomial. The scope includes theoretical reasoning and mathematical derivation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants request clarification on the original question regarding the polynomial and its roots, indicating a need for more context or the exact wording of the problem.
  • One participant presents a second-order ODE, suggesting that the general solution can be expressed in terms of two linearly independent functions, leading to a discussion about the derivation of solutions.
  • Another participant elaborates on a method to derive solutions for a more general form of the second-order ODE, emphasizing the independence of solutions and the utility of the derived expressions.
  • There is a mention of verifying a specific solution for the ODE, which connects back to the original polynomial question, although the exact relationship remains unclear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the original polynomial question, and multiple approaches to the related ODE are presented without resolution of which is preferable or correct.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of the polynomial and the ODE, but these assumptions are not explicitly stated. The relationship between the polynomial and the ODE solutions is not fully clarified, leaving some steps unresolved.

oasi
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can you look this question and help me?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2720/59248444.png
 
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oasi said:
can you look this question and help me?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2720/59248444.png

It would help if you posted the full question (if there is any more, or its exact wording), but in this context it means something like give a "derivation of" that is provide a logical set of arguments that find the given function as a solution of the ODE.

CB
 
oasi said:
can you look this question and help me?

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2720/59248444.png

The second order ODE that has solutions You have indicated is...

$\displaystyle y^{\ ''} + a\ y^{\ '}+ \frac{a^{2}}{4}\ y=0$ (1)

A possible answer to Your question is in a procedure that can be very useful in more complicated situations. The general solution of (1) is...

$\displaystyle y(x)= c_{1}\ u(x) + c_{2}\ v(x)$ (2)

... where $u(*)$ and $v(*)$ are mutually linearly independent, $c_{1}$ and $c_{2}$ two constants. From (1) we derive...

$\displaystyle u^{\ ''} + a\ u^{\ '}+ \frac{a^{2}}{4}\ u=0$

$\displaystyle v^{\ ''} + a\ v^{\ '}+ \frac{a^{2}}{4}\ v=0$ (3)

... and multiplying the first of (3) by v, the second of (3) by u and taking the difference...

$\displaystyle (v\ u^{\ ''} - u\ v^{\ ''}) + a\ (v\ u^{\ '} -u\ v^{\ '})=0$ (4)

Setting $\displaystyle z=v\ u^{\ '} -u\ v^{\ '}$ the (4) becomes...

$z^{\ '}+ a\ z=0$ (5)

... the solution of which is $\displaystyle z=c_{1}\ e^{-a\ x}$. Combining all the result we can write...

$\displaystyle \frac{v\ u^{\ '} -u\ v^{\ '}}{v^{2}}= \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{u}{v})= \frac{c_{1}\ e^{-a\ x}}{v^{2}} \implies \frac{u}{v}= c_{2}+c_{1}\ \int \frac{e^{-a\ x}}{v^{2}}\ dx \implies u= c_{2}\ v + c_{1}\ v\ \int \frac{e^{-a\ x}}{v^{2}}\ dx$ (6)

Now we can verify that $\displaystyle v(x)= e^{- \frac{a\ x}{2}}$ is solution of (1) so that from (6) we obtain...

$\displaystyle u(x)= c_{1}\ e^{- \frac{a\ x}{2}}\ \int \frac{e^{-a\ x}}{e^{-a\ x}}\ dx = c_{1}\ x\ e^{- \frac{a\ x}{2}}$ (7)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
A more general application of the procedure of my previous post is the following. Let's suppose to have a second order ODE...

$\displaystyle y^{\ ''}+ a(x)\ y^{\ '} + b(x)\ y=0$ (1)

Proceeding as in my previous post, setting $\displaystyle z= v\ u^{\ '} - u\ v^{\ '}$ we arrive at...

$\displaystyle z^{\ '}+ a(x)\ z=0$ (2)

... a solution of which is...

$\displaystyle z= e^{- \int a(x)\ dx}$ (3)

... and from (3) we derive first...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{u}{v})= \frac{z}{v^{2}}$ (4)

... and then...

$\displaystyle u=v\ \int \frac{z}{v^{2}}\ dx$ (5)

The (5) is useful because it permits You, if a solution v(x) of (1) is known, to obtain another solution u(x) independent from it. A 'curiousity' is the fact that (5) is valid no matter which is b(x) in (1)...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

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