The function y(x) satisfies the linear equation
y′′(x)+p(x)y′(x)+q(x)y(x)=0
The Wronskian, W(x), of two independent solutions denoted y1(x) and y2(x) is defined to be
W(x)=∣∣∣∣∣y1y1′y2y2′∣∣∣∣∣.
Let y1(x) be given. In this case, show that the expression for W(x) can be interpreted as a first-order inhomogeneous differential equation for y2(x). Hence, by explicit derivation, show that y2(x) may be expressed as
y2(x)=y1(x)∫x0xy1(t)2W(t)dt,
where the rôle of x0 should be briefly elucidated.
Show that W(x) satisfies
dxdW(x)+p(x)W(x)=0.
Verify that y1(x)=1−x is a solution of
xy′′(x)−(1−x2)y′(x)−(1+x)y(x)=0.
Hence, using (∗) with x0=0 and expanding the integrand in powers of t to order t3, find the first three non-zero terms in the power series expansion for a solution, y2(x), of ( † ) that is independent of y1(x) and satisfies y2(0)=0,y2′′(0)=1.