7.

4 Higher Order Equations

(Reduction of Order)

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 Definition
The differential equation of the -th order in the general case has
the form:

where  is a continuous function of the specified arguments.

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 The order of the equation can be reduced if it does not contain some of
the arguments or has a certain symmetry.

Three Cases of Reduction of Order

Case 1. 
Equation of type

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Steps to find the solution to the differential equation
(1) Let to be the variable, then
(2) Let to be the variable, then

(3) Iterated

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 Example
Find the general solution to the differential equation

Example
Find the particular solution to the differential equation

That satisfies the initial condition

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 Case 2. 
Equation of type

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Steps to find the solution to the differential equation
(1)Here we use the substitution where  is a new unknown function. As a
result, we obtain the first order equation:

(2)By integrating, we find the function . 

(3)Next, we solve one more equation of the st order

and find the general solution .

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 Example. 
The differential equation

satisfied the initial conditions Find the particular solution to this

differential equation.

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 Example. 
The differential equation

satisfied the initial conditions

find the particular solution to this differential equation.

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 Case 3. 
Equation of type
 

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Steps to find the solution to the differential equation
1. To solve this equation, we introduce a new function ,  setting .
2. Similar to case 2. Differentiating this expression with respect to  leads to
the equation

3. As a result, our original equation is written as an equation of the st order .

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4. Solving it, we find the function .
5. Then we solve another first order equationand determine the general
solution :
.

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Example
Find the general solution to the differential equation

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 𝑚
Example
An object that is very high above the ground falls to the
ground from rest due to the gravitational force of the earth,
find the speed and time required for it to fall to the ground.(we 𝑙
do not consider the resistance of the air)

𝑅
𝑂 𝑀

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