Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-algebra-analysis-and-differential-equations-2-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2008/7/solution
Past exam of the algebra, analysis and differential equations II course of the University of Oxford 2008 7 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Differentiate the Wronskian:It is therefore constant. Linear dependence plainly makes it zero. Conversely, if it is zero, the two initial-data vectors and are linearly dependent. Some constants , not both zero, make and its derivative zero at zero. Uniqueness for a linear second-order equation with continuous coefficients then makes identically zero. Thus .
For the prescribed integral put . Then , , and . Differentiation under the integral, using continuity of the coefficients and forcing, givesThis proves the required inhomogeneous equation, with the sign of the forcing as printed.
For the explicit forcing take , , so and . Since , the integral isIndeed expand and integrate and . Adding the entire homogeneous solution givesFinally multiply the other equation by and integrate from zero to . Integration by parts givesThus is necessary. It is also sufficient: the solution with is , and the integral condition gives its value zero at .
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