Boyce & DiPrima ODEs 10e: Section 3.

4 - Problem 24 Page 1 of 2

Problem 24
In each of Problems 23 through 30, use the method of reduction of order to find a second solution
of the given differential equation.

t2 y 00 + 2ty 0 − 2y = 0, t > 0; y1 (t) = t

Solution

Because this ODE is homogeneous, any constant multiple of y1 (t) is also a solution: cy1 (t) = ct.
According to the method of reduction of order, the general solution is obtained by allowing c to
vary as a function of t.
y(t) = c(t)t
Substitute this formula for y(t) into the ODE.

t2 [c(t)t]00 + 2t[c(t)t]0 − 2[c(t)t] = 0

Evaluate the derivatives using the product rule.

t2 [c0 (t)t + c(t)]0 + 2t[c0 (t)t + c(t)] − 2[c(t)t] = 0

t2 [c00 (t)t + c0 (t) + c0 (t)] + 2t[c0 (t)t + c(t)] − 2[c(t)t] = 0

t3 c00 (t) + 2t2 c0 (t) + 2t2 c0 (t) +   − 
2tc(t) 2tc(t)
 = 0

t3 c00 (t) + 4t2 c0 (t) = 0

Divide both sides by t3 .
4
c00 (t) + c0 (t) = 0
t
0
This is a linear first-order ODE for c (t), so it can be solved by multiplying both sides by an
integrating factor I. ˆ t 
4 4
I = exp ds = e4 ln t = eln t = t4
s
Proceed with the multiplication.
t4 c00 (t) + 4t3 c0 (t) = 0
The left side can be written as d/dt[Ic0 (t)] by the product rule.

d 4 0
[t c (t)] = 0
dt
Integrate both sides with respect to t.
t4 c0 (t) = C1
Divide both sides by t4 .
C1
c0 (t) =
t4

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Boyce & DiPrima ODEs 10e: Section 3.4 - Problem 24 Page 2 of 2

Integrate both sides with respect to t once more.

C1
c(t) = − + C2
3t3
Therefore, using a new constant C3 for −C1 /3, the general solution is

C3
y(t) = + C2 t;
t2
the second solution is y2 (t) = 1/t2 .

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