Differential Equations and Linear Algebra (4th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32196-467-5
ISBN 13: 978-0-32196-467-0

Chapter 8 - Linear Differential Equations of Order n - 8.8 A Differential Equation with Nonconstant Coefficients - Problems - Page 567: 9

Answer

$y(x)=c_1x^{m}+c_2x^{-m}$

Work Step by Step

Given $x^2y''+xy'-m^2y=0$ In this case the substitution $y(x) = x^r$ yields the indicial equation $$r(r-1)+r-m^2=0\\ r^2-m^2=0$$ It follows that two linearly independent solutions to the given differential equation are $y_1(x)=x^m\\ y_2(x)=x^{-m}$ so that the general solution is $y(x)=c_1x^{m}+c_2x^{-m}$
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