Quiz 8

1. Write the general form of a homogeneous second-order linear ordinary differential

equation.
2. State the condition for the two solutions of a second-order ODE to be linearly independent.
3. The functions y1 sin x and y2 cos x are both solutions of the equation
d2y
dx2

y0

Show that y1 and y2 are linearly independent.

4. Differentiate between an ordinary point of a second-order ODE and a singular point.
5. Differentiate between a regular singular point of a second-order ODE and an irregular
singular point.
6. Consider the Legendre equation

1 x ddx y 2x dy
l l 1 y 0
dx
2

where l is a constant. Show that:

(a) the point x 0 is an ordinary point.
(b) the point x 1 is a regular singular point.
7. The Bessel equation is given by

x2

d2y
dy
x
x2 v2 y 0
2
dx
dx

where v is a constant. Show that the point x 0 is a regular singular point for this equation.