Constant-coefficient Riccati equation 2026-10-20
The linearization of a Riccati equation turns this equation into . For distinct real roots, every nonzero linearizing solution is and on intervals with nonzero denominator. The constants arise when one coefficient vanishes. With , the relative coefficient can have either sign; replacing it by a fixed-sign real exponential would omit a real family of solutions.
For , the solutions are and . The equilibrium occurs at . Zeros of a nontrivial give poles of a Riccati solution from zeros of its linearizing solution, so the corresponding is defined separately between them. Multiplying both coefficients by the same nonzero scalar changes but not .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 iii Paper 8 4 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
The Painlevé property says that the general solution has no movable critical singularities: analytic continuation around a singularity whose location depends on the initial data must not create a different branch. A fixed singularity of a complex differential equation has its location prescribed by the coefficients; a movable singularity of a complex differential equation has a location which varies with the initial data. A commonly used stronger form requires movable singularities to be poles, so that the solution is locally a meromorphic function there. Movable branch points are excluded; a movable pole is permitted. We will prove the stronger form for this equation by finding its complete general solution family as rational functions.
Use the linearization of a Riccati equation. If , put wherever . Differentiating this expression and cancelling the quadratic terms yieldsConversely a nonzero solution of this linear ordinary differential equation gives a solution , wherever the quotient is defined. Every local finite solution at an ordinary point arises this way: solve with a nonzero initial value and differentiate to get the second-order equation. Multiplying by a nonzero constant leaves unchanged, giving the one effective constant of integration expected for a first-order Riccati equation.
For the present coefficients, , so the linear ordinary differential equation simplifies toTwo direct substitutions give solutions and . Their Wronskian iswhich is nonzero at every ordinary point . They therefore form a fundamental pair there, and all local solutions have the formTaking its logarithmic derivative givesThus, for , writing , the general family isThe remaining member, corresponding to , isThe completeness of the linearizing pair proves that no other local solution is omitted. These are rational functions, single-valued meromorphic functions; hence their continuation has no branch points. Their only possible moving singularities are zeros of . A root outside is simple, and its residue isEquivalently, poles of a Riccati solution from zeros of its linearizing solution are simple at ordinary points, because a nontrivial solution of a linear ordinary differential equation cannot have both and . The exceptional collisions or occur at the fixed coefficient singularities, and still give rational functions. Consequently every movable singularity is a pole, establishing the Painlevé property in its stronger meromorphic sense.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2014 ia Paper 2 5B Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
For and on an interval where , the logarithmic derivative substitution givesThe quadratic terms cancel. Multiplying by gives the linearization of a Riccati equation:Multiplying by a nonzero constant leaves unchanged. If , that substitution is undefined, but the original equation is already a first-order linear ordinary differential equation, solvable by an integrating factor.
For the particular equation, and the linear equation is . Use the PDF's logarithmic coordinate and write . The chain rule gives and , leaving . Thus , as also follows from the Euler-Cauchy equation. Recovering the Riccati equation solution yieldsThe initial value imposes ; choose . ThereforeThe denominator vanishes only at , and its numerator is then nonzero. This is a simple pole: . The maximal interval containing is ; the same expression on is a separate solution branch. These are poles of a Riccati solution from zeros of its linearizing solution.