Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / Paper 1 / 8 / d

At zero the indicial equation is $\nu (\nu -1)+\nu ={\nu }^2=0$, with repeated indicial root zero. To exhibit the analytic solution rather than only its candidate exponent, clear the denominator in the normal form:Substitute $y_1={\sum }_{n\ge 0}{b}_n{x}^n$ and equate coefficients. With $b_j=0$ for negative indices, the linear recurrence relation isEvery leading coefficient on the left is nonzero. Hence $b_0\ne 0$ is free and all later coefficients are determined; the Frobenius method guarantees local convergence up to the next singularity. In particular,For a second solution, use reduction of order. Writing $y_2=y_{1}v$ gives $W=y_1^2{v}^{\prime }$, so part (c) yieldsThe additive constant in the integral only adds a multiple of $y_1$. As $x\downarrow 0$ within $(0,m)$, its integrand isThereforeThe nonzero Wronskian proves linear independence, and the logarithm is unavoidable for this second local solution.