Y''+xy'-y=0 differential equation

[TheFerruccio]

Homework Statement

Given y_1=x is a solution, solve the differential equation

Homework Equations

y''+xy'-y=0

The Attempt at a Solution

Since I am given y_1=x (is there a hotkey for adding TeX tags so I don't have to manually type these tags over and over? So tedious.) then I wish to vary a parameter A that y is multiplied by, A(x)...

y_2=Ax
y_2'=A'x+A
y_2''=A''x+2A'
Plugging into the original equation, I end up with

A''x+(x^2+2)A'=0

This is another differential equation, and I do not know where to go from here.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

You could reduce the order of your new DE with a simple substitution.

 

[vela]

Is there a hotkey for adding TeX tags so I don't have to manually type these tags over and over? So tedious.

Check out the second section of https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=3977517&postcount=3.

 

[LCKurtz]

 Use ##tex here## instead of [itex] tags for inline and
$$tex here$$ instead of [tex] tags.

 

[TheFerruccio]

You could reduce the order of your new DE with a simple substitution.

Regarding the # # tags, I was using those for a while, but, a few posts ago, they completely stopped working for me. Maybe it was a script error in the browser. I've noticed that I have to refresh quite a few times to get the equations to show, no matter which browser or computer I'm using.

Anyway, I reduced the order of the equation, by substituting P = A', then I get a separable DE.

I get a solution of the form:$\text{Ce}^{-\frac{x^3}{3}-2 x}$

I do not think this is right. I simply replaced every instance of A' with P. I do not know how to integrate from this point, because I have a nasty integral that evades substitution methods. This just feels wrong.

 

[TheFerruccio]

(can't delete this)

 

[vela]

Regarding the # tags, I was using those for a while, but, a few posts ago, they completely stopped working for me. Maybe it was a script error in the browser. I've noticed that I have to refresh quite a few times to get the equations to show, no matter which browser or computer I'm using.

Anyway, I reduced the order of the equation, by substituting P = A', then I get a separable DE.

I get a solution of the form:


$\text{Ce}^{-\frac{x^3}{3}-2 x}$

I do not think this is right. I simply replaced every instance of A' with P. I do not know how to integrate from this point, because I have a nasty integral that evades substitution methods. This just feels wrong.

Using Mathematica, I find the solution is $P = Ce^{-x^2/2}/x^2$. Not sure that makes it any easier for you though.

 

[TheFerruccio]

Using Mathematica, I find the solution is $P = Ce^{-x^2/2}/x^2$. Not sure that makes it any easier for you though.

I've been using Mathematica, as well, which is why I figured that my answer was wrong.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

I've been using Mathematica, as well, which is why I figured that my answer was wrong.

Where are you getting the $\frac{x^3}{3}$ term from?

 

[vela]

You seem to have forgotten the factor of $x$ multiplying $P' = A''$.