Second Order Linear Differential Equations
Second order linear equations with constant coefficients; Fundamental solutions; Wronskian; Existence and Uniqueness of solutions; the characteristic equation; solutions of homogeneous linear equations; reduction of order; Euler equations
In this chapter we will study ordinary differential equations of the standard form below, known as the second order linear equations :
Homogeneous Equations : If g(t) = 0, then the equation above becomes
y″ + p(t) y′ + q(t) y = 0.
It is called a homogeneous equation. Otherwise, the equation is nonhomogeneous (or inhomogeneous ).
Trivial Solution : For the homogeneous equation above, note that the function y(t) = 0 always satisfies the given equation, regardless what p(t) and q(t) are. This constant zero solution is called the trivial solution of such an equation.