Solve differential equation using power series

In summary: I'm betting they are the same series.In summary, to find y(x) as a power series satisfying y'-2xy=0 and y(0)=1, we can use the power series representation y=\sum^{∞}_{n=0} an(x-x0)n and substitute it into the equation to get a recursive formula for the coefficients an. We can then use the initial condition y(0)=1 to determine the value of a0 and continue solving for the other coefficients. For the problem with the additional term x3ex2, we can expand e^{x^2} into its power series form and equate coefficients on both sides, using the initial condition to determine the value of the first coefficient.
  • #1
kahwawashay1
96
0
Find y(x) as a power series satisfying:
y'-2xy=0 , y(0) = 1

attempt:

y=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=0}[/itex] an(x-x0)n

y'=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=0}[/itex] (n+1)an+1(x-x0)n

y' - 2xy = y' - 2y(x-x0) - 2x0y

substituting the power series into above formula and simplifying eventually gives:

a1-2x0a0 + [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=1}[/itex](x-x0)n[(n+1)an+1 - 2an-1 - 2x0an] = 0

so when n=0 and n=1 we get:
a1=2x0a0

when n>1,
an = [itex]\frac{2}{n}[/itex](x0an-1 + an-2)

but what does my professor mean by y(0) = 1? I think he was trying to explain that this means that x0 = 0 ?



Also, another problem is that y' - 2xy = x3ex2, y(0)=1
In this case, any hint as to what should I do with the e^x^2?
 
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  • #2
kahwawashay1 said:
Find y(x) as a power series satisfying:
y'-2xy=0 , y(0) = 1

attempt:

y=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=0}[/itex] an(x-x0)n

y'=[itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=0}[/itex] (n+1)an+1(x-x0)n

y' - 2xy = y' - 2y(x-x0) - 2x0y

substituting the power series into above formula and simplifying eventually gives:

a1-2x0a0 + [itex]\sum[/itex][itex]^{∞}_{n=1}[/itex](x-x0)n[(n+1)an+1 - 2an-1 - 2x0an] = 0

so when n=0 and n=1 we get:
a1=2x0a0

when n>1,
an = [itex]\frac{2}{n}[/itex](x0an-1 + an-2)

but what does my professor mean by y(0) = 1? I think he was trying to explain that this means that x0 = 0 ?
This means that y = 1 when x = 0.
kahwawashay1 said:
Also, another problem is that y' - 2xy = x3ex2, y(0)=1
In this case, any hint as to what should I do with the e^x^2?
 
  • #3
Mark44 said:
This means that y = 1 when x = 0.

yes I know that but what I meant was, how can I use that to solve the problem? If I already have the recursive formula giving me the coefficients in terms of an, of what use is that y(0)=1? On my homework it says y(0)=1 but when my professor was talking about it, he wrote y(x0)=1, but they are not the same thing?? Is there some relation between them I am not seeing?

I mean if x=0, then
y(0)=[itex]\sum^{∞}_{n=1}[/itex](0-x0)n=1
so:
1-x0+x02-x03+... = 1
so this implies x0=0 ? but then all of my coefficients for odd n's become 0..idk if that's supposed to happen...
 
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  • #4
kahwawashay1 said:
Also, another problem is that y' - 2xy = x3ex2, y(0)=1
In this case, any hint as to what should I do with the e^x^2?

Nothing wrong with the odd ones being zero if they have to. And as far as that [itex]e^{x^2}[/itex], just expand it out in it's power series form and equate coefficients on both sides just like you did above except in this case, all the coefficients on the right side are no longer zero.
 
  • #5
jackmell said:
Nothing wrong with the odd ones being zero if they have to. And as far as that [itex]e^{x^2}[/itex], just expand it out in it's power series form and equate coefficients on both sides just like you did above except in this case, all the coefficients on the right side are no longer zero.

So but then y(0)=1 means x0=0 and that a0 =1, right?
 
  • #6
Yes, x0 = 0, so your series should be expanded in powers of x, meaning that your series solutions is y = a0 + a1x + a2x2 + ... The initial condition y(0) = 1 determines a0.
 
  • #7
kahwawashay1 said:
So but then y(0)=1 means x0=0 and that a0 =1, right?

That is correct. Also, compute four or so of the coefficients and then compare them to that series you wrote for the right side of the other one.
 

FAQ: Solve differential equation using power series

What is a power series and how is it used to solve differential equations?

A power series is an infinite series in the form of a0 + a1(x-x0) + a2(x-x0)2 + a3(x-x0)3 + ..., where ai are constants and x0 is a fixed point. It is used in solving differential equations by substituting it into the differential equation and then solving for the coefficients ai.

What is the process for solving a differential equation using power series?

The process involves substituting the power series into the differential equation, expanding it, and equating coefficients of like powers of x. This will result in a recurrence relation for the coefficients which can be solved to find the values of ai. The final solution is then obtained by substituting these values back into the power series.

What are the advantages of using a power series to solve differential equations?

Using a power series allows for the solution of nonlinear differential equations, which cannot be solved using traditional methods. It also provides a more accurate solution as the series can be expanded to any desired order, providing a better approximation of the true solution.

Are there any limitations to using power series to solve differential equations?

Yes, there are limitations. Power series can only be used to solve certain types of differential equations, particularly linear and nonlinear equations with known initial conditions. It also requires some skill in manipulating and solving recurrence relations to find the coefficients.

How can I check the accuracy of my solution when using power series to solve a differential equation?

The accuracy of the solution can be checked by comparing it to the exact solution, if known, or by using numerical methods to approximate the solution. Additionally, the power series can be expanded to higher orders and compared to the lower order solution to see if there is a significant improvement in accuracy.

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