[Math] Using power series to solve non-homogeneous differential equation

integrationordinary differential equationspower series

I've been stuck on this for a while. I've got the following non-homogeneous differential equation and I have to give a solution in the form $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}c_nX^n$:
$$
y'' – 2y'x^2 + 4xy = x^2 + 2x + 2
$$
Could you please go step by step? I really need to understand this.

Best Answer

Here's the general procedure. Where are you up to?

  1. Write down power series for $y'$ and $y''$
  2. Substitute those expressions into the left-hand side of the equation
  3. Equate both sides of the equation by equating the coefficients of all powers of $x$
  4. Solve the system of equations in the $c_n$
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