Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / Paper 1 / 13

The homogeneous characteristic equation is $r^2+2r=r(r+2)=0$, giving the complementary solution $C_1+C_2{e}^{-2x}$. For a particular solution, try $A{x}^2+Bx$. Substitution gives $2A+4Ax+2B=4x$, so $A=1$ and $B=-1$. Therefore the general solution isAs a direct check, the polynomial part contributes $2+2(2x-1)=4x$, while both complementary terms contribute zero.

For the first-order linear ordinary differential equation, seek an integrating factor $M(x)$ that makes its left side a product rule derivative. Multiplying by $M$ gives $M{y}^{\prime }+MPy$, and comparison with $(My{)}^{\prime }=M{y}^{\prime }+M^{\prime }y$ requires $M^{\prime }=PM$. On an interval where $P$ is continuous chooseThis factor is never zero. The transformed equation is $(My{)}^{\prime }=MQ$, so integration from $x_0$ to $x$ yieldsHere $C=y(x_0)$ for an initial value problem. The indefinite integral version is $y=e^{-\int Pdx}[C+\int Q{e}^{\int Pdx}dx]$, with any constant choices inside the integrating factor absorbed into $C$. Continuity of $P,Q$ is a convenient sufficient hypothesis for a classical differentiable solution of a differential equation.

Since $1+x^2>0$ for all real $x$, divide the equation by that factor. Its linear coefficient can be integrated by polynomial division:Thus a positive integrating factor is $M=e^{3x^2/2}(1+x^2{)}^{-3/2}$. Multiplying the divided equation gives the product rule formThe integration by substitution $u=1+x^2$ givesThe initial condition $y(0)=1$ fixes $C-2=1$. The required solution is thereforeNo real singularity was introduced by the division or the integrating factor, so the solution extends over the entire real line.