SSG 204

(Differential Equations I)
Linear Dependence
by
Engr. O.A. Adeleye
 Linear Dependence
• Linear Dependence is used as a method of
solution for 2 nd Order Ordinary Differential
Equations (ODE)

• Given two non-zero functions � � and � �

defined in the equation below
� � � + �� � = 0 (1)

• Notice that � = 0 and � = 0 will make

equation (1) to be true for all values of �
regardless of the functions that we use.
 Linear Dependence cont.
• Now, if we can find non-zero values of �
and � (� ≠ 0 and � ≠ 0) for which equation
(1) will still be true i.e. (eqn. (1)= 0) for all
values of �, then we call the two functions
(� � and � � ) linearly dependent functions.

• On the other hand, if the only two constants

for which eqn.(1) is true are � = 0 and � = 0,
then we call the functions linearly
independent functions.
 Linear Dependence cont.
• How to determine whether functions are
Linearly Dependent or not (Linearly
Independent)

• Wroskian Method
Let � � and � � be differentiable functions and
� 1 and � 2 be differentials of � � and � � then
they are Linearly Dependent if the non-constants
� 1 and � 2 with
�2� � − �1� � = 0
 Linear Dependence Examples
• Determine if the following pairs of functions are
linearly dependent or not
1. � � = cos � , � � = sin �
2. � � = 2푠� 2 � , � � = 1 − �� 푠 2�
3. � � = 6�, � � = 6�+2
4. � � = 9cos 2�, � � = 2�� 푠 2 � − 2푠� 2 �
5. � � = � , � � = �2�
6. � � = �2� , � � = �ln 3+ 2�
 Linear Dependence Examples
• Solution
1. � � = cos � , � � = sin �
�� ��
′ ′ =0
� � = �1 � � = �2
cos � sin �
�
cos �
�
sin � = 0
�� ��
cos � sin �
=0
−sin � cos �
cos � ∙ cos � − sin � ∙ −sin �
= �� 푠 2 � + ��
푠 2� = 1 ≠ 0

Therefore, the functions are not linearly dependent

 Linear Dependence Examples
2. � � = 2푠� 2 � , � � = 1 − ��푠 2�
�� ��
′ ′ =0
� � = �1 � � = �2
2푠� 2 � 푠 2�
1 − ��
� 2 � 2 =0
2푠� � 1 − ��
푠 �
�� ��
2푠� 2 � 1 − ��푠 2� = 0
4sin � cos � 2sin � cos �
2푠� 2 � ∙ 2sin � cos � − 1 − ��푠 2 � ∙ 4sin � cos �
4푠� 3 � cos � − 4sin � cos � + 4sin � ��
푠 3�
4sin � cos � 푠� 2 � − 1 + �� 푠 2�
4sin � cos � 1 − 1 = 0

Therefore, the functions are linearly dependent

 Linear Dependence Examples
3. � � = 6�, � � = 6�+2
Note that � � = ��, �′ � = �� ln �
�� ��
′ ′ =0
� � = �1 � � = �2
6� 6�+2
� � � �+2 = 0
6 6
�� ��
6� 6�+2 = 0
6� ln 6 6�+2 ln 6

6� ∙ 6�+2 ln 6 − 6�+2 ∙ 6� ln 6
6� ∙ 6�+2 ln 6 − 6� ∙ 6�+2 ln 6 = 0

Therefore, the functions are linearly dependent

 Linear Dependence Classwork
푠 2 � − 2푠�
1. � � = 9cos 2�, � � = 2�� 2
�
2. � � = � , � � = �2�
3. � � = �2� , � � = �ln 3+ 2�
 Application of Linear
Dependence to 2nd Order ODE
• It will be done in the 6th Week