Y'' + y = 0 solution and recursion relation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the solution to the differential equation y'' + y = 0, focusing on the general solution and a derived recursion relation for the coefficients in a power series representation. Participants explore the relationship between the recursion relation and the general solution, examining both theoretical and mathematical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the general solution as y(x) = C1cos(x) + C2sin(x) and introduces a recursion relation An+2 = -An / (n+2)(n+1).
  • Another participant questions whether the recursion relation pertains to the coefficients in the power series representation of the solution, suggesting that summing the power series of sine and cosine could demonstrate satisfaction of both the differential equation and the recursion relation.
  • A third participant advises calculating the first few terms of the series in terms of a0 and a1 to recognize the resulting series.
  • A later reply elaborates on the recursion relation, calculating specific terms for both even and odd n values, and attempts to derive the final solution in terms of the Maclaurin series.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the equivalence of the recursion relation to the general solution, as various approaches and interpretations are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the power series representation and the behavior of the coefficients, but these assumptions are not fully explored or resolved within the thread.

Sam D
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I've found the general solution to be y(x) = C1cos(x) + C2sin(x).

I've also found a recursion relation for the equation to be:

An+2 = -An / (n+2)(n+1)

I now need to show that this recursion relation is equivalent to the general solution. How do I go about doing this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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So is this the recurrence relation for the coefficients ##c_i## in the power series representing the solution: ##y(x)=c_0 + c_1 x + c_2 x^2 \dots## ? It shouldn't be difficult to take the sum of the power series of sine and cosine multiplied by a constant, and then show that the result satisfies both the DE and that recurrence relation.
 
Try calculating the first few terms of the series in terms of ##a_0## and ##a_1##. Hopefully, you'll recognize the resulting two series.
 
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<Moderator's note: Approved as it is more than two weeks since the OP has been seen. Member has been warned not to post full solutions. This is an exception as it closes the thread.>

Let's start from your reccurence relation:

##A_{n+2}=\frac{-A_N}{(n+2)(n+1)}##

First collect even ##n## values:

##A_2= \frac{-A_0}{2.1}##

##A_4= \frac{-A_2}{4.3}=\frac{A_0}{4.3.2.1}=\frac{A_0}{4!}##

##A_6= \frac{-A_4}{6.5}=\frac{-A_0}{6.5.4.3.2.1}=\frac{-A_0}{6!}##

...

Now take odd n values:

##A_3= \frac{-A_1}{3.2}##;

##A_5= \frac{-A_3}{5.4}=\frac{A_1}{5.4.3.2.1}=\frac{A_0}{5!}##

##A_7= \frac{-A_5}{7.6}=\frac{-A_0}{7.6.5.4.3.2.1}=\frac{-A_0}{7!}##

...

So final solution isOn putting the values of ##A_n## in Maclaurin series solution (##y(x)=\sum_{n=0}{ A_n x^n}##),##y(x)=\sum_{n=0}{ \frac{(-1)^n x^{2n}}{ 2n!} + \frac{(-1)^n x^{2n+1}}{ 2n+1!}}##

##y(x)= A_0 \cos (x) + A_1 \sin (x)##
 
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