Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / ia / Paper 2 / 5C / b / Solution

After division by $x$, the coefficient of $y^{\prime }$ is $P(x)=1/x-1$. The Abel identity for the Wronskian givesso

For $\lambda =1$, direct substitution confirms that $y_1=1-x$. Reduction of order gives a second solution proportional toTo extract the requested coefficients, putFor the differential operatorone findsThe analytic correction $h={\sum }_{n\ge 1}{b}_n{x}^n$ must therefore satisfy $L[h]=3-x$. Its constant and linear coefficients giveHence