Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 ia Paper 2 6D Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
For two solutions , define the WronskianDifferentiate and substitute the second-order linear differential equation:Integration proves the Abel identity, including the identically zero case:For , this is on either interval excluding zero, since the integral uses . The coefficient singularity at zero must not be ignored.
Multiply the particular equation by and substitute the Frobenius solution . With , equating coefficients givesThe leading coefficient is nonzero, so the indicial equation is . Thus only are possible, and the recurrences below construct both.
For , , , and the recurrence reads , leaving free. For all later indices,This is an undetermined coefficient at Frobenius resonance; choosing selects a convenient even basis solution but is not forced by the differential equation.
For , all odd-indexed coefficients vanish andThe factorial denominators show convergence for every finite . Expanding the given hyperbolic functions directly yieldsConsequently the exponent-zero family is , and the normalized exponent-three solution is . This verifies the coefficient formulas and supplies two independent basis functions.
Finally and , soThis agrees with the Abel calculation. Its vanishing at zero does not contradict independence on regular intervals: the original equation is singular there.