0
$\begingroup$

This is the question, given that; $y_1 = x$

$$ (x^2+1)y''-2xy' +2y = 0 $$

other form

$$ y''-\dfrac {2x}{(x^2+1)}y' +\dfrac {2}{(x^2+1)}y = 0 $$

using the formula

$y_2 = y_1 \int e^{-\int p(x)dx} / y_1^2 dx $

for $y_2$, I ended up with $y_2 = cx^2+c_1 $

But the solution according to wolframalpha says that it is $y_2 = (x-i)^2$

May anyone tell me where is the deal?

$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Note that $(x-i)^2+2iy_1=x^2-1=y_2$. To find your specific error you would need to display the steps from the formula for $y_2$ to your proposed solution. $\endgroup$ Commented May 8, 2023 at 13:30

1 Answer 1

2
$\begingroup$

Although WA's solution does solve the DEQ, it looks like a bug, so let's see if we can prove it. Also, see the nice comment by @LutzLehmann above.

We want to use Reduction of Order, given that a solution is $y_1=x$, to solve

$$\tag 1 (x^2+1)y''-2xy' +2y = 0$$

We will use these examples as a guide, assume $y_2 = v x$, and calculating derivatives

$$y_2 = v x, ~~~~y_2' = v + v' x, ~~~~y_2'' = v'' x + 2 v'$$

Substituting into $(1)$

$$v''x(x^2+1) + 2 v' = 0$$

Let $w = v' \implies w' = v''$, so

$$w'x(x^2+1) + 2 w = 0$$

Solving for $w$

$$w = \left(\dfrac{1}{x^2} + 1 \right)$$

From $v' = w = \left(\dfrac{1}{x^2} + 1 \right)$, solve for $v$

$$v = x - \dfrac{1}{x}$$

We have $y_2 = v x$, hence

$$y_2 = x^2 - 1$$

We can now write

$$y(x) = c_1 y_1(x) + c_2 y_2(x) = c_1 x + c_2(x^2-1)$$

Checking

$$(x^2+1)y''-2xy' +2y = (x^2+1) (2c_2) -2x(c_1+2 c_2 x) + 2(c_1 x + c_2(x^2-1)) = 0 ~~~~ \Large\color{\green}{\checkmark}$$

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.