Indian Institute of Technology Ropar

Department of Mathematics
MA201: Differential Equations
1st semester of academic year 2021-22

End Semester Exam Time-2 hour 29 November, 2021 40 marks

1. (a) The Legendre differential equation is

(1 − x2 )y ′′ − 2xy ′ + α(α + 1)y = 0,

where α is a constant. Let the Legendre polynomial Pn (x) is defined as the

polynomial solution of the Legendre differential equation with α = n that also
satisfies the condition Pn (1) = 1.Then show that the general formula for Pn (x)
is:
[n/2]
1 X (−1)k (2n − 2k)! n−2k
Pn (x) = n x
2 k=0 k!(n − k)!(n − 2k)!
where [n/2] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to n/2. [6]
(b) If Pn (x) is a Legendre polynomial of degree n and α is such that Pn (α) = 0.
Show that Pn−1 (α) and Pn+1 (α) are of opposite signs. [2]

2. (a) Given the ODE: (x − x2 )y ′′ + (1 − x)y ′ − y = 0. Find the exponents at the

singularity x = 0 and hence, find the first three terms in each of the two linearly
independent series solutions and hence write the general solution of the given
ODE near x = 0. [1+4=5]
(b) Show that x = ∞ is a regular singular point of the DE
x2 y ′′ + 4xy ′ + 2y = 0. [3]

3. The Strum-Liouville problem: y ′′ + λy = 0, y(0) = 0, y(1) = 0.

(a) Determine the nonzero eigenvalues and the eigenfunctions

of the given problem. [2]
(b) Find the normalized eigenfunctions of the given problem. [1]
′′ 2
(c) The nonhomogeneous problem: y +π y = a+x, y(0) = 0, y(1) = 0. Determine
whether there is any value of the constant a for which the problem has a
solution. Find the solution of the BVP for each value of a. [2+3=5]

4. Given the PDE: 4uxx + 5uxy + uyy + ux + uy = 2.

(a) Find the characteristic curves of the given PDE. [1+1=2]

(b) Find the Cannonical form of the given PDE. [3]
(c) Determine the general solution of the given PDE. [3]

5. (a) A conducting bar of uniform cross-section lies along the x-axis with the ends
at x = 0 and x = L. It is kept initially at temperature 20 degree and its lateral
surface is insulated. There are no heat sources in the bar. The end x = 0 is
kept at 0 degree and heat is suddenly applied at the end x = L, so that there
is a constant flux 50 degree at x = L. Let u(x, t) denotes the temperature
distribution in the bar. Formulate the IBVP to find u(x, t). [2]
(b) Solve the heat conduction problem: uxx = ut , 0 < x < 100, t>0 [6]
u(0, t) = 50, u(100, t) = 0, t > 0
u(x, 0) = f (x), 0 < x < 100,
where f (x) is the intial temperature assumed in part (a).

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