Advanced Engineering Mathematics, 10th Edition

CHAPTER 2

Second-Order Linear ODEs

Many important applications in mechanical and electrical engineering, as shown in Secs. 2.4, 2.8, and 2.9, are modeled by linear ordinary differential equations (linear ODEs) of the second order. Their theory is representative of all linear ODEs as is seen when compared to linear ODEs of third and higher order, respectively. However, the solution formulas for second-order linear ODEs are simpler than those of higher order, so it is a natural progression to study ODEs of second order first in this chapter and then of higher order in Chap. 3.

Although ordinary differential equations (ODEs) can be grouped into linear and nonlinear ODEs, nonlinear ODEs are difficult to solve in contrast to linear ODEs for which many beautiful standard methods exist.

Chapter 2 includes the derivation of general and particular solutions, the latter in connection with initial value problems.

For those interested in solution methods for Legendre's, Bessel's, and the hypergeometric equations consult Chap. 5 and for Sturm–Liouville problems Chap. 11.

COMMENT. Numerics for second-order ODEs can be studied immediately after this chapter. See Sec. 21.3, which is independent of other sections in Chaps. 19–21.

Prerequisite: Chap. 1, in particular, Sec. 1.5.

Sections that may be omitted in a shorter course: 2.3, 2.9, 2.10.

References and Answers to Problems: App. 1 Part A, and ...