Weekly problem: Power Series and Frobenius method

setter: Dr Celine Marie Bhm

(Dated: February 18, 2014)

(a) We want to solve the equation

y00 + 2 x y0 + 2 y = 0.
Which method (power series versus Frobenius) should one use? Why? [1 mark]
Let us assume we choose to use the Frobenius method (y = x n kn xn ), what are the values for ? Does this confirm
your previous answer? [1 mark]
Find the recurrence relation between the coefficients kn . [2 marks]
(b) Consider the differential equation:
x2 y00 + x y0 2y = 0.
and the series expansion:
y = x kn x n .
n

What is the value of ? [1 mark]

Recognizing that the above equation is an Euler equation (for which a solution is y(x) = xr ), find the value of r [1
mark]
Compare the values for and r and deduce what should be the coefficients of the series expansion [1 mark]
(c) Solve the differential equation using a Power series solution
(1 + t 2 ) y00 + 4t y0 + 2 y = 0
and demonstrate that there are two solutions. [3 marks]