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For $x>0$, the Bessel differential equation of order $1/2$ has independent solutions $x^{-1/2}\sin x$ and $x^{-1/2}\cos x$. Substituting $y=x^{-1/2}u$ reduces it to $u^{\prime \prime }+u=0$. The normalization of the Bessel function of the first kind gives the displayed formulas for orders $1/2$ and $-1/2$. The Frobenius method obtains the same pair from exponents $1/2$ and $-1/2$: their even-coefficient series reduce to the sine and cosine power series. In the negative-exponent recurrence, the free coefficient at the next exponent can add the positive-exponent solution, an example of an undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance.

For a real pair of indicial roots $r_1\ge r_2$ at a regular singular point of a second-order linear differential equation, the second local solution is classified by the gap $\Delta$ and by the recurrence relation for the smaller indicial root. Case I has $\Delta \notin \mathbb{Z}$ and two pure Frobenius solutions. Case II has $\Delta =0$ and an independent Logarithmic Frobenius solution. With a positive integer gap, Case IIIa means the exceptional coefficient equation is inconsistent, so a nonzero multiple of the first Frobenius solution times a logarithm is necessary. Case IIIb means that equation is consistent and leaves a free coefficient, so there are two pure Frobenius solutions. This IIIa/IIIb convention is the one used in the Oxford course notes.^[ref]

The free coefficient in Case IIIb adds a multiple of the first Frobenius solution, as explained by the undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance. Stating whether the logarithm occurs is useful alongside the case name because other courses may choose different labels.

For the Gauss hypergeometric equation with parameters $\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma$, a Frobenius solution $y=x^{\sigma }{\sum }_{n\ge 0}{a}_n{x}^n$, $a_0\ne 0$, has indicial roots $\sigma =0$ and $\sigma =1-\gamma$. Matching each successive power gives the displayed undivided recurrence. The usual ratio formula is valid only when its left coefficient is nonzero. At integer-separated roots, a zero coefficient requires a compatibility check as in an undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance; otherwise a logarithmic companion may be necessary. For example, $\gamma =0,\sigma =0$ gives $0=\alpha \beta a_0$ at $n=1$, obstructing that exponent-zero series when $\alpha \beta \ne 0$.

Substitute a Frobenius series $y={\sum }_{n\ge 0}{a}_n{z}^{n+\rho }$ into the transformed equation. For $n\ge 1$, equating the coefficient of $z^{n+\rho -1}$ gives the recurrence relationAt the larger indicial root $\rho =2$, the coefficient of $a_n$ is $n(n+2)\ne 0$, so a Frobenius solution always exists. At the smaller indicial root $\rho =0$, the first two equations areSince $a_0\ne 0$, the exceptional equation is consistent exactly whenThese are both admissible values, including the zero value; the singular wording of the question does not remove either. This is the undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance: at either value $a_2$ is free, whereas otherwise the second independent solution requires a Logarithmic Frobenius solution.

Explicit pairs demonstrate sufficiency and linear independence. In the variable $z=x+1$ one may takeBoth displayed $u_2$ have leading term $z^2/2$, while $u_0(0)=1$. They therefore give independent Frobenius solutions with the two indicial exponents, and direct differentiation verifies the equation. The point is an apparent regular singular point in these two cases.

For the requested closed forms, particularly short choices areIn addition, $(x+2)e^{-x}$ solves the zero-parameter equation and $e^{-x}$ solves the equation with $c=-1$.

For a putative second Frobenius solution with the smaller indicial root $-a$, set $y_{-}=x^{-a}{\sum }_{n\ge 0}{d}_n{x}^n$, with $d_0=1$ and $d_j=0$ for $j<0$. Its recurrence relation isThe Frobenius case classification concerns the gap $2a$ between the indicial roots. In the course convention, Case IIIa is the obstructed recurrence requiring a Logarithmic Frobenius solution; Case IIIb permits two pure Frobenius series.

If $a>0$ and $2a\notin \mathbb{Z}$, this is Case I: no denominator vanishes. There are two linearly independent pure Frobenius solutions, withTheir different leading powers establish linear independence.

If $a=0$, this is Case II, with a repeated indicial root. There is only one pure Frobenius series with a nonzero leading coefficient. To see the second solution's form, reduction of order givesHere $y_{+}(t)=1+O(t^{\beta })$, so the integrand is $t^{-1}+O(t^{\beta -1})$. ConsequentlyThe logarithm has a nonzero coefficient and cannot be removed by adding a multiple of $y_{+}$.

If $N=2a$ is a positive integer, the only potentially obstructed coefficient is $n=N$. Below that index, $d_n=0$ unless $\beta$ divides $n$. At the exceptional index the equation readsIf $N=m\beta$ for some positive integer $m$, all coefficients $d_0,d_{\beta },\dots ,d_{(m-1)\beta }$ are nonzero because $b\ne 0$. The exceptional equation is inconsistent. This is Case IIIa, and the independent second solution has the formThe Frobenius resonance for an Euler equation with monomial potential explains why divisibility, rather than the integer gap alone, decides this outcome. For example, with $d_0=1$, applying the original differential operator to $y_{+}\log x$ gives $2x{y}_{+}^{\prime }$. Cancellation of the coefficient of $x^a$ requires $K=-b{d}_{N-\beta }/(2a)\ne 0$.

If $\beta$ does not divide $N$, then $d_{N-\beta }=0$; this includes $N<\beta$ through the negative-index convention. The exceptional equation is $0=0$, so $d_N$ is free. This is Case IIIb: set $d_N=0$ to select an independent pure Frobenius series starting with $x^{-a}$. Subsequent coefficients again follow the recurrence relation. Changing $d_N$ simply adds a multiple of $y_{+}$, the undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance.

The complete answer is thereforeIn particular, for $\beta =1$ every positive integer gap gives Case IIIa. For $\beta =2$, positive integer $a$ gives Case IIIa, while $a=1/2,3/2,5/2,\dots$ gives Case IIIb; the remaining positive $a$ give Case I. The condition $b\ne 0$ matters: at $b=0$ the two Cauchy-Euler equation powers already give independent solutions whenever $a>0$.

For two solutions $y_1,y_2$, define the WronskianDifferentiate and substitute the second-order linear differential equation:Integration proves the Abel identity, including the identically zero case:For $p=-2/x$, this is $W=C{x}^2$ on either interval excluding zero, since the integral uses $\log |x|$. The coefficient singularity at zero must not be ignored.

Multiply the particular equation by $x^2$ and substitute the Frobenius solution $y=x^{\lambda }{\sum }_{n\ge 0}{a}_n{x}^n$. With $a_{-1}=a_{-2}=0$, equating coefficients givesThe leading coefficient is nonzero, so the indicial equation is $\lambda (\lambda -3)=0$. Thus only $\lambda =0,3$ are possible, and the recurrences below construct both.

For $\lambda =0$, $a_1=0$, $a_2=-a_0/2$, and the $n=3$ recurrence reads $0=a_1=0$, leaving $a_3$ free. For all later indices,This is an undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance; choosing $a_3=0$ selects a convenient even basis solution but is not forced by the differential equation.

For $\lambda =3$, all odd-indexed coefficients vanish andThe factorial denominators show convergence for every finite $x$. Expanding the given hyperbolic functions directly yieldsConsequently the exponent-zero family is $a_0(\cosh x-x\sinh x)-3a_3(\sinh x-x\cosh x)$, and the normalized exponent-three solution is $-3a_0(\sinh x-x\cosh x)$. This verifies the coefficient formulas and supplies two independent basis functions.

Finally $y_1^{\prime }=-x\cosh x$ and $y_2^{\prime }=-x\sinh x$, soThis agrees with the Abel calculation. Its vanishing at zero does not contradict independence on regular intervals: the original equation is singular there.

Insert the Frobenius solution and its differentiated series into the equation. Collecting the terms before shifting an index givesThe coefficient of the lowest power $x^{\sigma -1}$ is $a_0\sigma (\sigma +\gamma -1)$. Because $a_0\ne 0$, the indicial equation givesFor the coefficient of $x^{n+\sigma -1}$ with $n\ge 1$, shift the index in the second sum. The hypergeometric Frobenius recurrence isWhenever the left coefficient is nonzero, division yieldsFor noninteger $\gamma$, the two independent local solutions can therefore be identified aswith a consistent local branch for the fractional power. The hypergeometric function coefficients follow by iterating the recurrence using rising factorials.

There is a parameter qualification to the PDF's statement for all real constants: a zero denominator cannot be divided through. At an undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance, use the undivided coefficient equation to test compatibility. For example, $\gamma =0,\sigma =0,n=1$ requires $0=\alpha \beta a_0$, so a pure exponent-zero series with $a_0\ne 0$ is impossible if $\alpha \beta \ne 0$. When $\gamma =1$ the two indicial roots coincide, and a second independent solution generally needs a logarithmic term. The indicial roots and undivided relation remain the valid coefficient conclusions in these exceptional cases.

For the Frobenius solution, differentiate term by term:The unshifted terms in the equation have coefficient $[4(n+\sigma )(n+\sigma -1)-4(n+\sigma )+3]a_n$. The extra factors of $x$ give the shifted contribution $[4(n+\sigma )(n+\sigma -1)+1]a_n{x}^{n+\sigma +1}$. Equating the coefficient of $x^{k+\sigma }$ for $k\ge 1$ gives the linear recurrence relationFactoring both coefficients is especially useful:The separate lowest-power equation is $(4{\sigma }^2-8\sigma +3)a_0=0$. Do not cancel $2k+2\sigma -3$ when it vanishes: that is the possible undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance.

At the smaller indicial root $\sigma =1/2$, the $k=1$ equation is $0=0$: it leaves $a_1$ free. For $k\ge 2$, the valid recurrence isChoosing $a_1=0$ makes every later coefficient zero. The resulting terminating Frobenius series is thereforeSubstitution gives $y^{\prime }=a_0/(2\sqrt{x})$ and $y^{\prime \prime }=-a_0/(4x^{3/2})$; the three terms in the equation sum to $a_0\sqrt{x}[-(1+x)-2+(x+3)]=0$.

Termination is a permitted choice, not a condition forced on every smaller-root solution. Retaining the free $a_1$ adds the solution in part (e), so the general real solution on $x>0$ is $\boxed{y=\sqrt{x}[C_1+C_2\log (1+x)]}$. This is exactly the freedom explained by undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance. On either negative interval avoiding $-1$ and $0$, analogous real formulas use $\sqrt{|x|}$ and $\log |1+x|$.