Why Is the Frobenius Method's Second Solution Valid?

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SUMMARY

The Frobenius method's second solution for the differential equation \(x^2y'' + xp(x)y' + q(x)y = 0\) is valid when the indicial equation has equal roots \(\lambda = \lambda_1 = \lambda_2\). The first solution is given by \(y_1(x) = x^{\lambda_1}\sum a_n x^n\). The second solution can be expressed as \(y_2(x) = y_1(x)\ln x + x^{\lambda_1}\sum b_n x^n\). The method to compute \(y_2\) involves differentiating \(y_1\) with respect to \(\lambda\) at \(\lambda = \lambda_1\), as stated in the Schaum Outline Series in Differential Equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of regular singular points in differential equations
  • Familiarity with the Frobenius method for solving differential equations
  • Knowledge of indicial equations and their roots
  • Basic calculus, particularly differentiation techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Frobenius method in detail
  • Learn about the Lagrange reduction of order technique
  • Explore Hildebrand's "Advanced Calculus for Engineers" for deeper insights
  • Review the Schaum Outline Series in Differential Equations for practical examples
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Mathematicians, engineers, and students studying differential equations, particularly those interested in advanced solution techniques and the Frobenius method.

matematikawan
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Assume that x=0 is a regular singular for x2y" + xp(x)y' + q(x)y = 0
and the indicial equation has equal roots \lambda = \lambda_1 = \lambda_2

The first solution is alway known to be of the form y_1(x) = x^{\lambda_1}\sum a_n x^n

Although tedious, I know how to obtain the second linearly independent solution using the Lagrange reduction of order, y2(x) =u (x)y1.

I think it is well known that the second solution will be of the form
y_2(x) = y_1(x)lnx + x^{\lambda_1}\sum b_n x^n


The book I'm refering, Schaum Outline Series in Differential Equation (cheap and direct to the method :smile: ) gives the following method to compute y2.

y_2(x) = \frac{\partial y_1(x,\lambda)}{\partial\lambda} |_{\lambda=\lambda_1} \\\ (*) .

As you all know the book never proved any of their theorem/method.

My question is why (*) is a solution for the DE? Any proof for it?
 
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I don't remember the method well enough to do this for you but I think its sortof similar to how you prove that a linear constant coefficient equation with a repeated root of the characteristic polynomial will have a second solution given by t times the first. I know I have seen a very good exposition on this topic in Hildebrand's Advanced Calculus for Engieneers. I would highly recommend that book for a lot of stuff and that section was very clear - but I didn't work it through well enough to internalise it and be able to answer your question from the top of my head.
 
Thanks b17m4p.
There is a copy in our library. I will try to get it. But it looks quite an old edition 1958 ?

QA303 HIL 1949
Advanced calculus for engineers
Hildebrand, Francis Begnaud.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice-Hall, [1958]


If only I have the note with a click of mouse! :smile:
Wikipedia ? MIT courses ?
 

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