CHAPTER 83 POWER SERIES METHODS OF SOLVING

ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

EXERCISE 312 Page 864

t
1. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (4) when y = e 2 x (b) y (5) when y = 8e 2

(a) If y = e ax , then y ( n ) = a n e ax . Hence, if y = e 2 x , then y (4) = ( 2 ) e 2 x = 16 e 2 x

4

5
1
 1  12 t 8 12 t 1 12 t
(b) If y = e ax , then y ( n ) = a n e ax . Hence, if y = 8e 2 , = =
t
then y (5) (8)   e e = e
2 32 4

1
2. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (4) when y = sin 3t (b) y (7) when y = sin 5θ
50

 nπ 
=
(a) If y = sin ax, then y ( n ) a n sin  ax + 
 2 

 4π 
= 34 sin  3t + =
Hence, if y = sin 3t, then y (4)  81sin ( 3t + 2π ) = 81 sin 3t
 2 

1  1   7π   3π 
(b) If y = sin 5θ, then
= y (7)   57 sin  5θ=
+  1562.5sin  5θ +  = – 1562.5 cos 5θ
50  50   2   2 

2
3. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (8) when y = cos 2x (b) y (9) when y = 3 cos t
3

 nπ 
(a) If y = cos ax, =
then y ( n ) a n cos  ax + 
 2 

 8π 
y (8) = ( 2 ) cos  2 x +
8
Hence, if y = cos 2x then  = 256 cos(2x + 4π) = 256 cos 2x
 2 

 2 9π  29 2 π 
9
2 2 29 2
(b) If y = 3cos t , then =
y (9) (3)   cos  t + =  cos  t +  = − sin t
3 3 3 2  38 3 2 38 3

1285 © 2014, John Bird

 t7
4. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (7) when y = 2x9 (b) y (6) when y =
8

a!
(a) If y = x a , then y ( n ) = x a −n
( a − n )!
9!
Hence, if y = 2x9 , then y (7) = (2) x 9−7 = ( 9!) x 2
( 9 − 7 )!

t7  1  7! 7 −6
(b) If y = , then y (6) =   t = 630 t
8  8  ( 7 − 6 )!

1
5. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (7) when y = sinh 2 x (b) y (6) when y = 2 sinh 3x
4

(a) If y = sinh ax, then =

y(n)
an
2
{[1 + (−1)n ] sinh ax + [1 − (−1)n ] cosh ax}

 1  27
y (7)   {[1 + (−1)7 ] sinh 2 x + [1 − (−1)7 ] cosh 2 x}
1
Hence, if y = sinh 2 x =
then
4 4 2

= 16 (2 cosh 2x) = 32 cosh 2x

(b) If y = 2 sinh 3x, then=

y (6) (2)
36
2
{[1 + (−1)6 ] sinh 3x + [1 − (−1)6 ] cosh 3x}

= 36 {2sinh 3 x + 0} = 1458 sinh 3x

1
6. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (7) when y = cosh 2x (b) y (8) when y = cosh 3 x
9

(a) If y = cosh ax, then =

y(n)
an
2
{[1 − (−1)n ] sinh ax + [1 + (−1)n ] cosh ax}

Hence, if y = cosh 2x, then y=

(7)
27
2
{[1 − (−1)7 ] sinh 2 x + [1 + (−1)7 ] cosh 2 x}

= 26 {2sinh 2 x + 0} =
27 sinh 2 x = 128 sinh 2x

 1  38
y (8)   {[1 − (−1)8 ] sinh 3 x + [1 + (−1)8 ] cosh 3 x}
1
(b) If =
cosh 3 x , then
9 9 2

1286 © 2014, John Bird

 = 364.5 {0 + 2 cosh 3x} = 729 cosh 3x

1
7. Determine the following derivatives: (a) y (4) when y = 2 ln 3θ (b) y (7) when y = ln 2t
3

( n − 1)!
( −1)
n −1
(a) If y = ln ax, then y ( n ) =
xn
( 4 − 1)! = 3! 12
( 2 )( −1)
4 −1
If y = 2 ln 3θ, then y (4) = (−2) =−
θ4 θ4 θ4

1 1 7 −1 ( 7 − 1) ! 6! 240
  ( −1)
(b) If y = ln 2t , then y (7) = = =
3 3 t 7 3t 7 t7

1287 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 313 Page 866

1. Obtain the nth derivative of: x 2 y

Since y = x 2 y then let v = x 2 and u = y

n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
Thus, y ( n ) =
u ( n ) v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!

n(n − 1) ( n − 2)
= y ( n ) ( x 2 ) + n ( y ( n −1) 2 x ) + ( y 2)
2!

= x 2 y ( n ) + 2nxy ( n −1) + n(n − 1) y ( n − 2)

2. If y = x 3 e 2 x find y ( n ) and hence y (3)

Since y = x 3 e 2 x then let v = x3 and u = e 2 x and the nth derivative of e 2 x is 2n e 2 x

n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
Thus, y ( n ) =
u ( n ) v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!

n(n − 1) n − 2 2 x n ( n − 1)( n − 2 ) ( n −3) 2 x

= 2n e 2 x ( x 3 ) + n ( 2n −1 e 2 x )( 3 x 2 ) + ( 2 e )( 6 x ) + 2 e (6)
2! 3!

= 2n x3 e 2 x + 3nx 2 2n −1 e 2 x + 3n(n − 1)2n − 2 e 2 x x + n ( n − 1)( n − 2 ) 2n −3 e 2 x

or=y ( n ) e 2 x 2n −3 {23 x 3 + 3nx 2 (2) 2 + 3n(n − 1) x(2) + n(n − 1)(n − 2)}

= e 2 x 2n −3 {8 x3 + 12nx 2 + n(n − 1)(6 x) + n(n − 1)(n − 2)}

y (3) e 2 x 20 {8 x3 + 36 x 2 + 3(2)6 x + 3(2)(1)}

Hence, =

= e 2 x {8 x3 + 36 x 2 + 36 x + 6}

3. Determine the 4th derivative of: y = 2 x3 e − x

Since y = 2 x3 e − x then let v = 2 x3 and u = e − x and the nth derivative of e − x is (−1) n e − x

n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
Thus, y ( n ) =
u ( n ) v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!

1288 © 2014, John Bird

 n(n − 1) n ( n − 1)( n − 2 )
= (−1) n e − x ( 2 x3 ) + n ( (−1) n −1 e − x )( 6 x 2 ) + ( (−1)n−2 e− x )(12 x ) + (−1)( n −3) e − x (12)
2! 3!

Hence, y (4) =(−1) 4 e − x ( 2 x 3 ) + 4 ( (−1)3 e − x )( 6 x 2 ) + 6 ( (−1) 2 e − x )(12 x ) + 4 ( (−1)1 e − x ) (12)

= e − x {2 x3 − 24 x 2 + 72 x − 48} or 2 e − x { x 3 − 12 x 2 + 36 x − 24}

4. If y = x 3 cos x , determine the 5th derivative.

 nπ 
Since y = x 3 cos x then let u = cos x and v = x3 and=
u ( n ) 1n cos  x + 
 2 
n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
y(n) =
u n v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!
 nπ  3  (n − 1)π  n(n − 1)  (n − 2)π 
Hence, y ( n ) =cos  x +  ( x ) + n cos  x +  ( 3x ) + cos  x +  (6x)
2
 2   2  2!  2 
n(n − 1(n − 2)  (n − 3)π 
+ cos  x +  (6)
3!  2 

 5π   4π  5(4) 3π 2π
and y=
(5) x3 cos  x +  + 5 ( 3 x ) cos  x +
2
+ ( 6 x ) cos  x +  5(4)(3)
+ ( 6 ) cos  x + 
 2   2  2!  2  3!  2 

= − x3 sin x + 15 x 2 cos x + 60 x sin x + 60(− cos x)

= ( 60 x − x3 ) sin x + (15 x 2 − 60 ) cos x

5. Find an expression for y (4) if y = e − t sin t .

Since y = e − t sin t then let u = sin t and v = e − t and the nth derivative of e − t is (−1) n e − t
n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
y(n) =
u n v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!
Hence,
 nπ  − t  (n − 1)π 
y ( n ) =sin  t +  ( e ) + n sin  t + (− e )
−t
 2   2 
n(n − 1)  (n − 2)π  − t n(n − 1)(n − 2)  (n − 3)π 
+ sin  t +  (e ) + sin  t + (− e )
−t
2!  2  3!  2 

n(n − 1(n − 2)(n − 3)  (n − 4)π  − t

+
sin  t +  (e )
4!  2 
 4π   3π  4(3) − t 2π π
( e ) sin  t +  − ( e ) sin  t + 
4(3)(2) − t
= e − t sin  t +
and y (4)  − 4 e sin  t +
−t
+
 2   2  2!  2  3!  2
1289 © 2014, John Bird
 4(3)(2)(1)
+ sin ( t )( e − t )
4!

 3π   π  −t
= e − t sin t − 4 e − t sin  t +  + 6 ( e ) sin ( t + π ) − 4 ( e ) sin  t +  + e sin t
−t −t
 2   2

= e − t sin t + 4 e − t cos t − 6 e − t sin t − 4 e − t cos t + e − t sin t

= −4 e − t sin t

6. If y = x 5 ln 2 x find y (3)

a! 5!
Since y = x5 ln 2 x then let u = x5 and v = ln 2x =
and u n = x a−n x 5− n
( a − n )! (5 − n)!

n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
y(n) =
u n v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!
 5!  5!  1  n(n − 1) 5!  1 
y(n) =  x 5− n  ln 2 x + n x 6− n   + x7−n  − 
 (5 − n)!  (6 − n)! x 2! (7 − n)!  x2 
n(n − 1)(n − 2) 5!  2
+ x8− n  
3! (8 − n)!  x3 
5! 2 5!  1  3(2) 5! 4  1  3(2)(1) 5! 5  2 
Hence,=
y3 x ln 2 x + (3) x 3   + x − + x  
2! 3!  x  2! (4)!  x 2  3! 5!  x 3 

= 60 x 2 ln 2 x + 60 x 2 − 15 x 2 + 2 x 2

= 60 x 2 ln 2 x + 47 x 2

i.e. y (3) x 2 ( 47 + 60 ln 2 x )
=

0 show that 2 x 2 y ( n + 2) + ( 4n + 1) x y ( n +1) + ( 2n 2 − n + 3) y ( n ) =

7. Given 2 x 2 y '' + xy '+ 3 y = 0

Differentiating each term of 2 x 2 y ''+ xy '+ 3 y =

0 n times, using Leibniz’s theorem of equation (13),

 n(n − 1) ( n ) 
gives: 2  y ( n + 2) x 2 + n y ( n +1) ( 2 x ) + y (2) + 0  + { y ( n +1) ( x) + ny ( n ) (1) + 0} + 3 { y ( n ) } = 0
 2! 
i.e. 2 x 2 y ( n + 2) + 4n x y ( n +1) + 2n(n − 1) y ( n ) + x y ( n +1) + n y ( n ) + 3 y ( n ) = 0

i.e. 2 x 2 y ( n + 2) + (4n + 1) x y ( n +1) + (2n 2 − 2n + n + 3) y ( n ) = 0

or 2 x 2 y ( n + 2) + (4n + 1) x y ( n +1) + (2n 2 − n + 3) y ( n ) = 0

1290 © 2014, John Bird

8. If y = ( x3 + 2 x 2 ) e 2 x determine an expansion for y (5)

Since y = ( x3 + 2 x 2 ) e 2 x then let u = e 2 x and v = ( x 3 + 2 x 2 ) and u n = 2n e 2 x

n(n − 1) ( n − 2) (2)
y(n) =
u n v + nu ( n −1) v (1) + u v + ...
2!
n(n − 1) n − 2 2 x
Hence,=
y(n) ( 2n e2 x )( x3 + 2 x 2 ) + n2n−1 e2 x ( 3x 2 + 4 x ) + 2 e ( 6x + 4)
2!
n(n − 1)(n − 2) n −3 2 x
+ 2 e (6)
3!
5(4) 3 2 x 5(4)(3) 2 2 x
and y (5) 25 e 2 x ( x3 + 2 x 2 ) + (5) 24 e 2 x ( 3 x 2 + 4 x ) +
= 2 e (6x + 4) + 2 e (6)
2 3!
= e 2 x {25 x 3 + 26 x 2 + (16)15 x 2 + (16)(20 x) + 60 x(8) + (8)(40) + 240}

= e 2 x {25 x 3 + 304 x 2 + 800 x + 560}

= e 2 x {25 x3 + 24 (19 x 2 ) + 24 (50)( x) + 24 (35)}

= e 2 x 24 {2 x3 + 19 x 2 + 50 x + 35}

1291 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 314 Page 869

d2 y dy
1. Determine the power series solution of the differential equation: + 2x +y=0
dx 2 dx
dy
using the Leibniz–Maclaurin method, given that at x = 0, y = 1 and =2
dx

d2 y dy
+ 2x +y=0
d x2 dx

(i) The differential equation is rewritten as: y′′ + 2xy′ + y = 0 and from the Leibniz theorem of

equation (13), page 865 of textbook, each term is differentiated n times, which gives:

y ( n + 2) + 2 { y ( n +1) ( x) + n y ( n ) (1) + 0} + y ( n ) =
0

i.e. y ( n + 2) + 2 x y ( n +1) + (2n + 1) y ( n ) =

0 (1)

(ii) At x = 0, equation (1) becomes:

y ( n + 2) + (2n + 1) y ( n ) =
0

from which, y ( n + 2) =
−(2n + 1) y ( n )

This is the recurrence formula

(iii) For n = 0, ( y '')0 = − ( y )0

n = 1, ( y ''')0 = −3 ( y ')0

n = 2, ( y (4) )0 =
−5 ( y '')0 =
5( y )0

n = 3, ( y (5) )0 = { }
−7 ( y ''')0 = −7 −3 ( y ')0 =3 × 7 ( y ')0

n = 4, ( y (6) )0 = { }
−9 ( y (4) )0 = −9 5 ( y )0 =−5 × 9 ( y )0

n = 5, ( y (7) )0 = { }
−11( y (5) )0 = −11 3 × 7 ( y ')0 =−3 × 7 ×11( y ')0

n = 6, ( y (8) )0 = { }
−13 ( y (6) )0 = −13 −5 × 9 ( y )0 = 5 × 9 ×13 ( y )0

x2 x3 x4
(iv) Maclaurin’s theorem is: y = ( y )0 + x ( y ' )0 + ( y '')0 + ( y ''')0 + ( y (4) )0 + ...
2! 3! 4!

Thus, y = ( y )0 + x ( y ' )0 +
x2
2!
{
− ( y )0 + }
x3
3!
{
−3 ( y ')0 +
x4
4!
}
5 ( y )0 +
x5
5!
{ }
3 × 7 ( y ' )0 { }
+
x6
6!
{
−5 × 9 ( y )0 +}x7
7!
{
−3 × 7 ×11( y ')0 }
1292 © 2014, John Bird
(v) Collecting similar terms together gives:
 x 2 5 x 4 5 × 9 x 6 5 × 9 ×13 x8 
y = ( y )0 1 − + − + − ...
 2! 4! 6! 8! 
 3 x3 3 × 7 x 5 3 × 7 ×11 x 7 
+ ( y ' )0  x − + − + ...
 3! 5! 7! 
dy
At x = 0, y = 1 and = 2, hence, ( y )0 = 1 and ( y ' )0 = 2 .
dx
d2 y dy
Hence, the power series solution of the differential equation: + 2x +y=0 is:
d x2 dx
 x 2 5 x 4 5 × 9 x 6 5 × 9 ×13 x8   3 x3 3 × 7 x 5 3 × 7 ×11 x 7 
y = 1 − + − + − ... + 2  x − + − + ...
 2! 4! 6! 8!   3! 5! 7! 

d2 y dy
2. Show that the power series solution of the differential equation: ( x + 1) + ( x − 1) − 2y =
0,
d x2 dx
using the Leibniz–Maclaurin method, is given by: y =1 + x 2 + e − x given the boundary
dy
conditions that at x = 0, y = 2 and = –1
dx

d2 y dy
( x + 1) + ( x − 1) − 2y =
0
dx 2 dx

(i) The differential equation is rewritten as: (x + 1) y′′ + (x – 1)y′ – 2y = 0 and from the Leibniz

theorem of equation (13), page 865 of textbook, each term is differentiated n times, which

gives:

{ y ( n+ 2) ( x + 1) + ny ( n+1) (1) + 0} + { y ( n+1) ( x − 1) + n y ( n ) (1) + 0} − 2 y ( n ) =

0

i.e. (x + 1) y ( n + 2) + (n + x − 1) y ( n +1) + (n − 2) y ( n ) =
0 (1)

(ii) At x = 0, equation (1) becomes:

y ( n + 2) + (n − 1) y ( n +1) + (n − 2) y ( n ) =
0

from which, y ( n + 2) = (1 − n) y ( n +1) + (2 − n) y ( n )

This is the recurrence formula

(iii) For n = 0, ( y=
(2)
)0 ( y (1) )0 + 2( y )0
n = 1, ( y (3) )0 = ( y (1) )0

1293 © 2014, John Bird

 n = 2, − ( y (1) )0
− ( y (3) )0 =
( y (4) )0 =
n = 3, ( y (5) )0 =
−2 ( y (4) )0 − ( y (3) )0 =
2 ( y (1) )0 − ( y (1) )0 =
( y (1) )0
n = 4, −3 ( y (5) )0 − 2 ( y (4) )0 =
( y (6) )0 = − ( y (1) )0
−3 ( y (1) )0 + 2 ( y (1) )0 =

n = 5, ( y (7) )0 =
−4 ( y (6) )0 − 3 ( y (5) )0 =
4 ( y (1) )0 − 3 ( y (1) )0 =
( y (1) )0
n = 6, ( y (8) )0 =
−5 ( y (7) )0 − 4 ( y (6) )0 =
−5 ( y (1) )0 + 4 ( y (1) )0 =
− ( y (1) )0

x 2 (2) x3 x4
(iv) Maclaurin’s theorem is: y = ( y )0 + x ( y (1) )0 + ( y )0 + ( y (3) )0 + ( y (4) )0 + ...
2! 3! 4!
x2
{( y ) } x3
{( y ) } + x4! {− ( y ) } + x5! {( y ) }
4 5
Thus, y = ( y )0 + x ( y (1) )0 + (1)
0
+ 2 ( y )0 + (1)
0
(1)
0
(1)
0
2! 3!
x6
{ x7
} {( y ) } + x8 {− ( y ) } + ...
8
+ − ( y (1) )0 + (1)
0
(1)
0
6! 7!
(v) Collecting similar terms together gives:
 x2   x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7 
y = ( y )0 1 + (2)  + ( y (1) )0  x + + − + − + − ...
 2!   2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 
dy
At x = 0, y = 2 and = –1, hence, ( y )0 = 2 and ( y (1) )0 = −1
dx
d2 y dy
Hence, the power series solution of the differential equation: ( x + 1) + ( x − 1) − 2y =
0
dx 2 dx
is:
 x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7 
y = 2 {1 + x 2 } −  x + + − + − + − ...
 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 

x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7
= 2 + 2x 2 – x – − + − + − + ...
2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7!

x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7
= 1 + x2 + 1 + x2 – x – − + − + − + ...
2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7!

x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7
= 1 + x2 + 1 – x + − + − + − + ...
2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7!

x 2 x3 x 4 x5 x6 x7
i.e. y = 1 + x 2 + e −x since e − x = 1 – x + − + − + − + ...
2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7!

d2 y dy
3. Find the particular solution of the differential equation: ( x 2 + 1) +x − 4y =
0 using the
d x2 dx
dy
Leibniz–Maclaurin method, given the boundary conditions that at x = 0, y = 1 and =1
dx

1294 © 2014, John Bird

 d2 y dy
( x 2 + 1) +x − 4y =
0
d x2 dx

i.e. ( x 2 + 1) y′′ + xy′ – 4y = 0

 2 n(n − 1) ( n ) 
i.e. ( x + 1) y ( n + 2) + ny ( n +1) (2 x) + y (2)  + { y ( n +1) x + ny n (1)} − 4 y ( n ) =
0
 2! 

i.e. ( x 2 + 1) y ( n+ 2) + ( 2nx + x ) y ( n+1) + (n(n − 1) + n − 4) y ( n ) =0

At x = 0, y ( n + 2) + ( n 2 − 4 ) y ( n ) =
0

from which, y ( n + 2)= ( 4 − n2 ) y (n) which is the recurrence formula

For n = 0, ( y '')0 = 4 ( y )0
n = 1, ( y ''')0 = 3 ( y ')0
n = 2, ( y (4) )0 = 0
n = 3, ( y (5) )0 = {
−5 ( y ''')0 = −5 −3 ( y ')0 = }
−5 ( 3)( y ')0

n = 4, ( y (6) )0 = −12 ( y (4) )0 = −12(0) =

0

n = 5, ( y (7) )0 = { }
−21( y (5) )0 = −21 −5 × 3 ( y ')0 =315 ( y ')0

x2 x3 x4
Maclaurin’s theorem is: y = ( y )0 + x ( y ' )0 + ( y '')0 + ( y ''')0 + ( y (4) )0 + ...
2! 3! 4!

Thus, y = ( y )0 + x ( y ')0 +
x2
2!
{ }
4 ( y )0 +
x3
3!
{ x4
3 ( y ')0 + {0} +
4!
}x5
5!
{
−3 × 5 ( y ')0 + 0 +
x7
7!
}
315 ( y ')0 { }
 x3 x5 x 7 
i.e. y = ( y )0 {1 + 2 x 2 } + ( y ')0  x + − + + ...
 2 8 16 
dy
At x = 0, y = 1 and = 1, hence, ( y )0 = 1 and ( y ' )0 = 1
dx
d2 y dy
Hence, the power series solution of the differential equation: ( x 2 + 1) +x − 4y =
0 is:
dx 2 dx
 x3 x5 x7 
y = {1 + 2x 2 } +  x + − + + ...
 2 8 16 

x3 x5 x7
i.e. y = 1 + x + 2x2 + − + + ...
3 8 16

4. Use the Leibniz–Maclaurin method to determine the power series solution for the differential

1295 © 2014, John Bird

 d2 y d y dy
equation: x + + xy =
1 given that at x = 0, y = 1 and =2
d x2 d x dx

d2 y d y
x + + xy =
1
d x2 d x

i.e. x y′′ + y′ + xy = 0

i.e. { xy ( n+ 2) + ny ( n+1) (1)+)} + { y ( n+1) } + { xy ( n ) + ny ( n−1) (1)} =0

i.e. xy ( n + 2) + ( n + 1) y ( n +1) + xy ( n ) + ny ( n −1) =

0

At x = 0, ( n + 1) y ( n+1) + ny ( n−1) =
0

n ( n −1)
from which, y ( n +1) = − y which is the recurrence formula
n +1

1
For n = 1, ( y (2) )0 = − ( y )0
2
2 (1)
n = 2, ( y (3) )0 = − ( y )0
3
3 3 1  3
n = 3, − ( y (2) )0 =
( y (4) )0 = − − ( y )0  =( y )0
4 4 2  8
4 4  2 (1)  8 (1)
n = 4, ( y (5) )0 =
− ( y (3) )0 =
−  − ( y )0  = ( y )0
5 5 3  15
5  5 3 15
n = 5, − ( y (4) )0 =
( y (6) )0 = − ( y )0
−  ( y )0  =
6 6 8  48
6  6 8 16
n = 6, ( y (7) )0 =
− ( y (5) )0 = ( y (1) )0
−  ( y (1) )0  =
7 7 15  35
x 2 (2) x3 x4
Maclaurin’s theorem is: y = ( y )0 + x ( y (1) )0 + ( y )0 + ( y (3) )0 + ( y (4) )0 + ...
2! 3! 4!
Thus,
x2  1  x3  2  x4  3  x5  8 
y = ( y )0 + x ( y (1) )0 + − ( y )0  + − ( y (1) )0  +  ( y )0  +  ( y (1) )0 
2!  2  3!  3  4!  8  5! 15 
x 6  15  x 7  16 
− ( y )0  +  ( y (1) )0  + ...
6!  48  7!  35 
 1 1 4 1 6   x3 x5 x7 
i.e. y = ( y )0 1 − x 2 + x − x + ... + ( y (1) )0  x − + − + ...
 4 64 2304   9 225 11025 
dy
At x = 0, y = 1 and = 2, hence, ( y )0 = 1 and ( y (1) )0 = 2
dx
1296 © 2014, John Bird
 d2 y d y
Hence, the power series solution of the differential equation: x + + xy =
1 is:
d x2 d x
 1 1 4 1   x3 x5 x7 
y = 1 − x 2 + x − x 6 + .. + 2  x − + − + ...
 4 64 2304   9 225 1025 

and it may be shown that this is equivalent to:

 1 1 1   x3 x5 x7 
y = 1 − x 2 + x4 − x 6 + ... + 2 x − + − ...
 2 2 2 ×4
2 2 2 ×4 ×6
2 2 2
  32 3 ×5 3 ×5 ×7
2 2 2 2 2


1297 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 315 Page 875

1. Produce, using Frobenius’ method, a power series solution for the differential equation:
d2 y d y
2x + −y=0
d x2 d x

d2 y d y
2x + −y=0 may be rewritten as: 2xy′′ + y′ – y = 0
d x2 d x

(i) Let a trial solution be of the form y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr+…}

where a 0 ≠ 0,

i.e. y = a 0 xc + a 1 xc+1 + a 2 xc+2 + a 3 xc+3 + … + a r xc+r +…

(ii) Differentiating gives:

y′ = a 0 cxc–1 + a 1 (c + 1)xc + a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + … + a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + …

and y′′ = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc + …. + a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 +

(iii) Substituting y, y′ and y′′ into each term of the given equation 2xy′′ + y′ – y = 0 gives:

2xy′′ = 2a 0 c(c – 1)xc–1 + 2a 1 c(c + 1)xc + 2a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc+1 + …

+ 2a r (c + r –1)(c + r)xc+r–1 + … (a)

y′ = a 0 cxc–1 + a 1 (c + 1)xc + a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + …. + a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + …

(b)

–y = –a 0 xc – a 1 xc+1 – a 2 xc+2 – a 3 xc+3 – … – a r xc+r –… (c)

(iv) The sum of these three terms forms the left-hand side of the equation. Since the right-hand side

is zero, the coefficients of each power of x can be equated to zero.

For example, the coefficient of xc–1 is equated to zero, giving: 2a 0 c(c – 1) + a 0 c = 0

or a 0 c [2c – 2 + 1] = a 0 c(2c – 1) = 0 (1)

1
Equation (1) is the indicial equation, from which, c = 0 or c =
2
The coefficient of xc is equated to zero, giving: 2a 1 c(c + 1) + a 1 (c + 1) – a 0 = 0

i.e. a 1 (2c2 + 2c + c + 1) – a 0 = a 1 (2c2 + 3c + 1) – a 0 = 0

1298 © 2014, John Bird

or a 1 (2c + 1)(c + 1) – a 0 = 0 (2)

Replacing r by (r + 1) will give:

in series (a), 2a r+1 (c + r + 1)(c + r)xc+r

in series (b), a r+1 (c + r + 1)xc+r

in series (c), –a r xc+r

Equating the total coefficients of xc+r to zero gives:

2a r+1 (c + r + 1)(c + r) + a r+1 (c + r + 1) – a r = 0

which simplifies to: a r+1 {(c + r + 1)(2c + 2r + 1)} – a r = 0 (3)

(a) When c = 0:

From equation (2), if c = 0, a 1 (1 × 1) – a 0 = 0, i.e. a 1 = a0

ar
From equation (3), if c = 0, a r+1 (r + 1)(2r + 1) – a r = 0, i.e. a r+1 = r≥0
(r + 1)(2r + 1)
a1 a0
Thus, when r = 1,=a2 = since a1 = a0
(2 × 3) (2 × 3)
a2 a0
when r = 2,=a3 =
(3 × 5) (2 × 3)(3 × 5)
a3 a0 a0
when r = 3,=a4 = = and so on
(4 × 7) (2 × 3)(3 × 5)(4 × 7) (2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7)
The trial solution is: y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…}

Substituting c = 0 and the above values of a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , … into the trial solution gives:
  a0  2  a0  3  a0  4 
y = x 0 a0 + a0 x +  x + x +  x + ...
  (2 × 3)   (2 × 3)(3 × 5)   (2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7)  
 x2 x3 x4 
i.e. y = a0 1 + x + + + + ... (4)
 ( 2 × 3) ( 2 × 3)( 3 × 5) ( 2 × 3 × 4 )( 3 × 5 × 7 ) 
1
(b) When c = :
2

, a 1 ( 2 )  3  – a 0 = 0,
1 a0
From equation (2), if c = i.e. a 1 =
2 2 3

, a r+1  1 + r + 1 (1 + 2r + 1) – a r = 0,
1
From equation (3), if c =
2 2 

i.e. a r+1  r + 3  ( 2r + 2 ) – a r = a r+1 (2 r 2 + 5r +3) – a r = 0,

 2
1299 © 2014, John Bird
 ar
i.e. a r+1 = r≥0
(2r + 3)(r + 1)
a1 a0 a0
Thus, when r = 1,=a2 = since a 1 =
(2 × 5) (2 × 3 × 5) 3
a2 a0
when r = 2,=a3 =
(3 × 7) (2 × 3 × 5)(3 × 7)
a3 a0
when r = 3,=a4 = and so on
(4 × 9) (2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7 × 9)
The trial solution is: y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…}

1
Substituting c = and the above values of a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , … into the trial solution gives:
2
1  
 a0   a0  2  a0  3  a0  4
y = x 2 a0 +   x +  x + x +  x + ...
  3  2 × 3× 5   (2 × 3 × 5)(3 × 7)   (2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7 × 9)  
1  
x x2 x3 x4
i.e. y = a0 x 2 1 + + + + + ... (5)
 (1× 3) (1× 2)(3 × 5) (1× 2 × 3)(3 × 5 × 7) (1× 2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7 × 9) 
Let a0 = A in equation (4), and a0 = B in equation (5)

 x2 x3 x4 
Hence, y = A 1 + x + + + + ...
 ( 2 × 3) ( 2 × 3)( 3 × 5) ( 2 × 3 × 4 )( 3 × 5 × 7 ) 
1  
x x2 x3 x4
+ B x 2 1 + + + + + ...
 (1× 3) (1× 2)(3 × 5) (1× 2 × 3)(3 × 5 × 7) (1× 2 × 3 × 4)(3 × 5 × 7 × 9) 

2. Use the Frobenius method to determine the general power series solution of the differential
d2 y
equation: +y=0
d x2

The differential equation may be rewritten as: y′′ + y = 0

(i) Let a trial solution be of the form y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…} (1)

where a 0 ≠ 0,

i.e. y = a 0 xc + a 1 xc+1 + a 2 xc+2 + a 3 xc+3 + … + a r xc+r +… (2)

(ii) Differentiating equation (2) gives:

y′ = a 0 cxc–1 + a 1 (c + 1)xc + a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + …. + a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + …

1300 © 2014, John Bird

 and y′′ = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc + … + a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 +

(iii) Replacing r by (r + 2) in a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 gives: a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2)xc+r

Substituting y and y′′ into each term of the given equation y′′ + y = 0 gives:

y′′ + y = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + [a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2) + a 0 ]xc + …

+ [a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) + a r ] xc+r + … = 0 (3)

(iv) The indicial equation is obtained by equating the coefficient of the lowest power of x to zero.

Hence, a 0 c(c – 1) = 0 from which, c = 0 or c = 1 since a 0 ≠ 0

For the term in xc–1, i.e. a 1 c(c + 1) = 0

With c = 1, a 1 = 0; however, when c = 0, a 1 is indeterminate, since any value of a 1 combined

with the zero value of c would make the product zero

− a0
For the term in xc, a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2) + a 0 = 0 from which, a2 = (4)
(c + 1)(c + 2)
For the term in xc+r, a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) + a r = 0
− ar
from which, ar + 2 = (5)
(c + r + 1)(c + r + 2)
(a) When c = 0: a 1 is indeterminate, and from equation (4)
− a0 − a0
=a2 =
(1× 2) 2!
− ar − a1 − a1 − a1
In general, ar + 2 = =
and when r = 1, a3 = =
(r + 1)(r + 2) (2 × 3) (1× 2 × 3) 3!
− a2 a0
when r = 2,=
a4 =
3× 4 4!
−a1
−
− a3 3! a1
when r = 3,=
a5 = =
4×5 4 × 5 5!
 a0 a1 a0 a1 
Hence, y = x 0 a0 + a1 x − x 2 − x 3 + x 4 + x 5 ... from equation (1)
 2! 3! 4! 5! 
 x2 x4   x3 x5 
= a0 1 − + − ... + a1  x − + − ...
 2! 4!   3! 5! 
Since a0 and a1 are arbitrary constants depending on boundary conditions, let a0 = A and

1301 © 2014, John Bird

  x2 x4   x3 x5 
a1 = B, then: y = A 1 − + − ... + B  x − + − ... (6)
 2! 4!   3! 5! 
− a0 − a0
(b) When c = 1: a 1 = 0, and from equation (4),=a2 =
(2 × 3) 3!
− ar − ar
=
Since c = 1, ar + 2 = from equation (5)
(c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) (r + 2)(r + 3)
− a1
and when r = 1, a3 = = 0 since a 1 = 0
(3 × 4)

 a0 
−− 
− a2 =3!  a0
when r = 2,=a4 =
(4 × 5) 4×5 5!
− a3
when r = 3,=a5 = 0
(5 × 6)

 a0 a0 
Hence, when c = 1, y = x1 a0 − x 2 + x 4 + ... from equation (1)
 3! 5! 
 x3 x5 
i.e. y = a0  x − + + ...
 3! 5! 
Again, a0 is an arbitrary constant; let a0 = K,

 x3 x5 
then y = K  x − + − ...
 3! 5! 
However, this latter solution is not a separate solution, for it is the same form as the second series in

equation (6) above. Hence, equation (6) with its two arbitrary constants A and B gives the general

solution.

d2 y
Hence the general power series solution of the differential equation: +y=0 is given by:
d x2
 x2 x4   x3 x5 
y = A 1 − + − ... + B  x − + − ...
 2! 4!   3! 5! 

or y = P cos x + Q sin x from the series expansions of cos x and sin x

d2 y dy
3. Determine the power series solution of the differential equation: 3 x +4 −y=0
dx 2 dx
using the Frobenius method.

d2 y dy
3x +4 −y=0 may be rewritten as: 3xy′′ + 4y′ – y = 0
dx 2 dx
1302 © 2014, John Bird
(i) Let a trial solution be of the form y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…}

i.e. y = a 0 xc + a1 xc+1 + a 2 xc+2 + a 3 xc+3 + … + a r xc+r +…

(ii) Differentiating gives:

y′ = a 0 cxc–1 + a 1 (c + 1)xc + a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + … + a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + …

and y′′ = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc + … + a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 +

(iii) Substituting y, y′ and y′′ into each term of the given equation 3xy′′ + 4y′ – y = 0 gives:

3xy′′ = 3a 0 c(c – 1)xc–1 + 3a 1 c(c + 1)xc + 3a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc+1 + …

+ 3a r (c + r –1)(c + r)xc+r–1 + … (a)

4y′ = 4a 0 cxc–1 + 4a 1 (c + 1)xc + 4a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + … + 4a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + … (b)

–y = –a 0 xc – a 1 xc+1 – a 2 xc+2 – a 3 xc+3 – … – a r xc+r – …

(c)

(iv) The coefficient of xc–1 is equated to zero giving: 3a 0 c(c – 1) + 4a 0 c = 0

or a 0 c [3c – 3 + 4] = a 0 c(3c + 1) = 0

1
This is the indicial equation, from which, c = 0 or c = −
3
The coefficient of xc is equated to zero giving: 3a 1 c(c + 1) + 4a 1 (c + 1) – a 0 = 0

i.e. a 1 (3c(c + 1) +4(c+1)) – a 0 = a 1 (c + 1)(3c + 4) – a 0 = 0

or a 1 (c + 1)(3c + 4) – a 0 = 0 (1)

Equating the total coefficients of xc+r to zero gives:

3a r+1 (c + r)(c + r + 1) + 4a r+1 (c + r + 1) – a r = 0

i.e. a r+1 (c + r + 1)(3c + 3r + 4) – a r = 0

ar
which simplifies to: ar +1 = (2)
(c + r + 1)(3c + 3r + 4)

(a) When c = 0:

a0
From equation (1), if c = 0, a 1 (4) – a 0 = 0, i.e. a 1 =
4

1303 © 2014, John Bird

 ar
From equation (2), if c = 0, ar +1 = r≥0
(r + 1)(3r + 4)
a1 a0 a0
=
Thus, when r = 1, a2 = since a1 =
(2 × 7) (2 × 4 × 7) 4

a2 a0 a0
when r = =
2, a3 = =
(3 ×10) (3 ×10)(2 × 4 × 7) (1× 2 × 3)(4 × 7 ×10)
a3 a0 a0
when r = =
3, a4 = = and so on
(4 ×13) (4 ×13)(3 ×10)(2 × 4 × 7) (2 × 3 × 4)(4 × 7 ×10 ×13)
The trial solution is: y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…}

Substituting c = 0 and the above values of a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , … into the trial solution gives:
 a0  a0  2  a0  3  a0  4 
y = x 0 a0 + x +  x + x +  x + ...
 4  (1× 2)(4 × 7)   (1× 2 × 3)(4 × 7 × 10)   (2 × 3 × 4)(4 × 7 × 10 × 13)  
 x x2 x3 x4 
i.e. y = a0 1 + + + + + ... (3)
 (1× 4) (1× 2)(4 × 7 ) (1× 2 × 3)( 4 × 7 ×10 ) (2 × 3 × 4)(4 × 7 ×10 ×13) 
1
(b) When c = − :
3

From equation (1), if c = − , a 1  2  ( 3) – a 0 = 0,

1 a0
i.e. a 1 =
3 3 2
1 ar ar ar
c = − , ar +1 =
From equation (2), if= = r≥0
 2 1 + +
 r +  ( 3r + 3) 3 (3r + 2)3(r + 1)
3 (3r 2)( r 1)
 3
a1 a0 a0 a0
Thus, when r = 1,=a2 = = since a 1 =
(5 × 2) (22 × 5) (1× 2)(2 × 5) 2
a2 a0
when r = 2,=a3 =
(8 × 3) (1× 2 × 3)(2 × 5 × 8)
a3 a0
=
when r = 3, a4 = and so on
(11× 4) (1× 2 × 3 × 4)(2 × 5 × 8 ×11)
The trial solution is: y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…}

1
Substituting c = − and the above values of a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , … into the trial solution gives:
3
−  
1
a0 a0 a0 a0
y = x 3 a0 + x + x2 + x3 + + ...
 2 (1× 2)(2 × 5) (1× 2 × 3)(2 × 5 × 8) (1× 2 × 3 × 4)(2 × 5 × 8 ×11) 

−  
1
x x2 x3 x4
i.e. y = a0 x 3 1 + + + + + ... (4)
 (1× 2) (1× 2)(2 × 5) (1× 2 × 3)(2 × 5 × 8) (1× 2 × 3 × 4)(2 × 5 × 8 ×11) 
Let a0 = A in equation (3), and a0 = B in equation (4)

1304 © 2014, John Bird

  x x2 x3 
Hence, y = A 1 + + + + ...
 (1× 4 ) (1× 2 )( 4 × 7 ) (1× 2 × 3)( 4 × 7 ×10 ) 

−  
1
x x2 x3
+ B x 3 1 + + + + ...
 (1× 2) (1× 2)(2 × 5) (1× 2 × 3)(2 × 5 × 8) 

4. Show, using the Frobenius method, that the power series solution of the differential equation:
d2 y
−y=0 may be expressed as y = P cosh x + Q sinh x, where P and Q are constants. [Hint:
d x2
check the series expansions for cosh x and sinh x on page 221.]

The differential equation may be rewritten as: y′′ – y = 0

(i) Let a trial solution be of the form y = xc{a 0 + a 1 x + a 2 x2 + a 3 x3 + … + a r xr +…} (1)

where a 0 ≠ 0,

i.e. y = a 0 xc + a 1 xc+1 + a 2 xc+2 + a 3 xc+3 + … + a r xc+r +… (2)

(ii) Differentiating equation (2) gives:

y′ = a 0 cxc–1 + a 1 (c + 1)xc + a 2 (c + 2)xc+1 + … + a r (c + r)xc+r–1 + …

and y′′ = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2)xc + … + a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 +

(iii) Replacing r by (r + 2) in a r (c + r – 1)(c + r)xc+r–2 gives: a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2)xc+r

Substituting y and y′′ into each term of the given equation y′′ – y = 0 gives:

y′′ – y = a 0 c(c – 1)xc–2 + a 1 c(c + 1)xc–1 + [a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2) – a 0 ]xc + …

+ [a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) – a r ] xc+r + … = 0 (3)

(iv) The indicial equation is obtained by equating the coefficient of the lowest power of x to zero

Hence, a 0 c(c – 1) = 0 from which, c = 0 or c = 1 since a 0 ≠ 0

For the term in xc–1, i.e. a 1 c(c + 1) = 0

With c = 1, a 1 = 0; however, when c = 0, a 1 is indeterminate, since any value of a 1 combined

with the zero value of c would make the product zero

1305 © 2014, John Bird
 a0
For the term in xc, a 2 (c + 1)(c + 2) – a 0 = 0 from which, a2 = (4)
(c + 1)(c + 2)
For the term in xc+r, a r+2 (c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) – a r = 0
ar
from which, ar + 2 = (5)
(c + r + 1)(c + r + 2)
(a) When c = 0: a 1 is indeterminate, and from equation (4)
a0 a0
=a2 =
(1× 2) 2!
ar a1 a1 a1
In general, ar + 2 = =
and when r = 1, a3 = =
(r + 1)(r + 2) (2 × 3) (1× 2 × 3) 3!
a2 a0
when r = 2,=
a4 =
3× 4 4!
a1
a3 3! a1
when r = 3,=
a5 = =
4 × 5 4 × 5 5!
 a0 a1 a0 a1 
Hence, y = x 0 a0 + a1 x + x 2 + x3 + x 4 + x 5 ... from equation (1)
 2! 3! 4! 5! 
 x2 x4   x3 x5 
= a0 1 + + + ... + a1  x + + + ...
 2! 4!   3! 5! 
Since a0 and a1 are arbitrary constants depending on boundary conditions, let a0 = A and

 x2 x4   x3 x5 
a1 = B, then: y = A 1 + + + ... + B  x + + + ... (6)
 2! 4!   3! 5! 
−a0 a0
(b) When c = 1: a 1 = 0, and from equation (4),=a2 =
(2 × 3) 3!
ar ar
=
Since c = 1, ar + 2 = from equation (5)
(c + r + 1)(c + r + 2) (r + 2)(r + 3)
a1
and when r = 1, a3 = = 0 since a 1 = 0
(3 × 4)

 a0 
  a
= =
a2 3! 
when r = 2, =
0
a4
(4 × 5) 4 × 5 5!
a3
when r = 3,=a5 = 0
(5 × 6)

 a0 a0 
Hence, when c = 1, y = x1 a0 + x 2 + x 4 + ... from equation (1)
 3! 5! 
 x3 x5 
i.e. y = a0  x + + + ...
 3! 5! 
1306 © 2014, John Bird
 Again, a0 is an arbitrary constant; let a0 = K,

 x3 x5 
then y = K  x + + − ...
 3! 5! 
However, this latter solution is not a separate solution, for it is the same form as the second series in

equation (6) above. Hence, equation (6) with its two arbitrary constants A and B gives the general

solution

d2 y
Hence the general power series solution of the differential equation: +y=0 is given by:
d x2
 x2 x4   x3 x5 
y = A 1 + + + ... + B  x + + + ...
 2! 4!   3! 5! 

or y = P cosh x + Q sinh x from the series expansions of cosh x and sinh x

1307 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 316 Page 879

d2 y dy
1. Determine the power series solution of Bessel’s equation: x 2 +x + ( x2 − v2 ) y =
0
dx 2 dx
when v = 2, up to and including the term in x 4

d2 y dy
The complete solution of Bessel’s equation: x 2 +x + ( x2 − v2 ) y =
0 is:
d x2 dx
 x2 x4 x6 
y = A x v 1 − + − + ...
 22 (v + 1) 24 × 2!(v + 1)(v + 2) 26 × 3!(v + 1)(v + 2)(v + 3) 
 x2 x4 x6 
+ B x − v 1 + + + + ...
 2 (v − 1) 2 × 2!(v − 1)(v − 2) 2 × 3!(v − 1)(v − 2)(v − 3)
2 4 6

 x2 x4 x6 
and y = A x v 1 − + − + ... when v is a
 2 (v + 1) 2 × 2!(v + 1)(v + 2) 2 × 3!(v + 1)(v + 2)(v + 3)
2 4 6

positive integer
 x2 x4 
Hence, when v = 2, y = A x 2 1 − + + ...
 22 (2 + 1) 24 × 2!(2 + 1)(2 + 2) 
 x2 x4   x4 x6 
i.e. y = A x 2 1 − + − ... or A  x2 − + − ...
 12 384   12 384 

2. Find the power series solution of the Bessel function: x 2 y ''+ xy '+ ( x 2 − v 2 ) y =
0 in terms of the

Bessel function J 3 ( x) when v = 3. Give the answer up to and including the term in x 4

x  1 
v
x2 x4
J v ( x) =    − + − ... provided v is not a negative integer
 2   Γ(v + 1) 22 (1!)Γ(v + 2) 24 (2!)Γ(v + 3) 

x  1 
3
x2 x4
Hence, when v = 3, J 3 ( x) =    − + − ...
 2   Γ(3 + 1) 22 (1!)Γ(3 + 2) 24 (2!)Γ(3 + 3) 

3
x  1 x2 x4  x3 x5 x7
i.e. J 3 ( x) =    − + − ... or − + − ...
 2   Γ 4 2 Γ5 2 Γ 6
2 5
 8 Γ 4 25 Γ5 28 Γ6

3. Evaluate the Bessel functions J 0 ( x) and J1 ( x) when x = 1, correct to 3 decimal places.

1308 © 2014, John Bird

 x2 x4 x6
J 0 ( x) = 1 − + − + ...
22 (1!) 2 24 ( 2!)2 26 (3!) 2

12 14 16
and when x = 1, J 0 ( x) = 1 − + − + ...
22 (1!) 2 24 ( 2!)2 26 (3!) 2

= 1 – 0.25 + 0.015625 – 0.000434 + …

= 0.765 correct to 3 decimal places

x x3 x5 x7
J1 ( x ) = − + − + ...
2 23 (1!)(2!) 25 (2!)(3!) 27 (3!)(4!)

1 13 15 17
and when x = 1, J1 ( x) = − + − + ...
2 23 (1!)(2!) 25 (2!)(3!) 27 (3!)(4!)

= 0.5 – 0.0625 + 0.002604 – 0.000054

= 0.440 correct to 3 decimal places

1309 © 2014, John Bird

EXERCISE 317 Page 883

1. Determine the power series solution of the Legendre equation: (1 − x 2 ) y ''− 2 xy '+ k (k + 1) y =
0

when (a) k = 0 (b) k = 2, up to and including the term in x5

The power series solution of the Legendre equation is:

 k (k + 1) 2 k (k + 1)(k − 2)(k + 3) 4 
y = a0 1 − x + x − ...
 2! 4! 
 (k − 1)(k + 2) 3 (k − 1)(k − 3)(k + 2)(k + 4) 5 
+ a1  x − x + x − ...
 3! 5! 
 ( −1)( +2) ( −1)( −3)( +2)( +4) 
(a) When k = 0, y = a0 {1 − 0 + 0 − ...} + a1  x − x3 + x 5 − ...
 3! 5! 
 x3 x5 
i.e. y = a0 + a1  x + + + ... 
 3 5 
 2(3) 2 2(3)(0)(5) 4   (1)(4) 3 (1)(−1)(4)(6) 5 
(b) When k = 2, y = a0 1 − x + x − ... + a1  x − x + x − ...
 2! 4!   3! 5! 
 2 1 
i.e. y = a0 (1 − 3 x 2 ) + a1  x − x 3 − x5 − ... 
 3 5 

2. Find the following Legendre polynomials: (a) P1 ( x) (b) P4 ( x) (c) P5 ( x)

(a) Since in P1 ( x) , n = k = 1, then from the second part of equation (47), page 881 of textbook, i.e.
the odd powers of x:
y = a1 { x − 0} = a1 x

a1 is chosen to make y = 1 when x = 1

i.e. 1 = a1
Hence, P1 ( x) = x
(b) Since in P4 ( x) , n = k = 4, then from the first part of equation (47), page 881 of textbook, i.e. the
even powers of x:
 4(5) 2 4(5)(2)(7) 4   35 
y = a0 1 − x + x + 0  = a0 1 − 10 x 2 + x 4 
 2! 4!   3 
a0 is chosen to make y = 1 when x = 1
 35   2 8 3
i.e. 1 = a0 1 − 10 + = a0 1 − 10 + 11 = a0 , from which, a0 =
 3   3 3 8
1310 © 2014, John Bird
 3 35 
Hence, P4 ( x) = 1 − 10 x 2 + x 4 
8 3 
1
or P4 ( x) = ( 35 x 4 − 30 x 2 + 3)
8

(c) Since in P5 ( x) , n = k = 5, then from the second part of equation (47), i.e. the odd powers of x:

 (k − 1)(k + 2) 3 (k − 1)(k − 3)(k + 2)(k + 4) 5 

y = a1  x − x + x − ...
 3! 5! 
 (4)(7) 3 (4)(2)(7)(9) 5   14 21 
i.e. y = a1  x − x + x − 0 = a1  x − x 3 + x 5 
 3! 5!   3 5 

a1 is chosen to make y = 1 when x = 1

 14 21   15 − 70 + 63  8 15
i.e. 1 = a1 =
1 − +  a1  =  a1 from which, a1 =
 3 5  15  15 8
15  14 3 21 5 
Hence, P5 ( x) = x− x + x 
8 3 5 
1
or P5 ( x) = ( 63x5 − 70 x3 + 15 x )
8

1311 © 2014, John Bird