Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2007 / iii / Paper 62 / 5 / a

During radiation domination, the cosmological continuity equation gives ${\rho }_R\propto a^{-4}$. The flat Friedmann equation in conformal time is $(a^{\prime }/a{)}^2=8\pi G{a}^2{\rho }_R/3$. Hence $a^{\prime 2}$ is constant, and choosing the Big Bang at $\tau =0$ yieldsFor the CDM density equation in a matter-radiation universe, neglect ${\rho }_C{\delta }_C$ while retaining ${\delta }_C$ itself. The adiabatic initial conditions give ${\delta }_R=4{\delta }_C/3$, soThis Euler-Cauchy equation has powers ${\tau }^p$ with $p(p-1)+p-4=0$, namely $p=2,-2$. Selecting the growing superhorizon adiabatic CDM mode in radiation domination gives