Solutions of the differential equation $x^2y’’-4xy’+6y=0$.

ordinary differential equations

In one of my test it given to prove that $x^3$ and $x^2|x|$ are linear independent solutions of the differential equation $x^2y’’-4xy’+6y=0$ on $\mathbb R$( here $x$ is independent variable).

But according to me it’s Cauchy Euler equation having general solution as $y=c_1x^3+c_2x^2$, where $c_1$ and $c_2$ are arbitrary constants. How can be $x^2|x|$ a solution of given ODE as I am unable to find its by giving particular values of constants $c_1$ and $c_2$? Please help me to solve it . Thank you.

Best Answer

The differential equation has a singularity at $x=0$, so the Existence and Uniqueness Theorem doesn't apply there. On each of the intervals $(-\infty, 0)$ and $(0,\infty)$ where the theorem does apply, you have two-parameter families of solutions. But it turns out any solution on $(-\infty, 0)$ and any solution on $(0,\infty)$ with the same $c_2$ can be put together to make a solution on $\mathbb R$.

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