Frobenius case classification
ID: frobenius-case-classification
For a real pair of indicial roots at a regular singular point of a second-order linear differential equation, the second local solution is classified by the gap and by the recurrence relation for the smaller indicial root. Case I has and two pure Frobenius solutions. Case II has and an independent Logarithmic Frobenius solution. With a positive integer gap, Case IIIa means the exceptional coefficient equation is inconsistent, so a nonzero multiple of the first Frobenius solution times a logarithm is necessary. Case IIIb means that equation is consistent and leaves a free coefficient, so there are two pure Frobenius solutions. This IIIa/IIIb convention is the one used in the Oxford course notes.[ref]
https://www.cjhb.site/Files.php/Books/Differential%20Equation/02_ODE/Differential%20Equations%20II.pdf#page=55. Oxford A6 Differential Equations II lecture notes, draft 3 January 2023, §5.2.5, printed p. 5–7: III(a) has a nonzero right-hand side at the exceptional index; III(b) has a zero right-hand side
The free coefficient in Case IIIb adds a multiple of the first Frobenius solution, as explained by the undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance. Stating whether the logarithm occurs is useful alongside the case name because other courses may choose different labels.
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