CAUCHY-EULER EQUATION

The Cauchy-Euler is a linear equation with variable coefficients whose general solution can
always be expressed in terms of powers of x, sines, cosines, and logarithmic functions.
Moreover, its method of solution is quite similar to that for constant-coefficient equations
in that an auxiliary equation must be solved.
We start the discussion with a detailed examination of the forms of the general solutions of
the homogeneous 2nd-order ODE

There are three different cases to be considered, depending on whether the roots of this
quadratic equation are real and distinct, real and equal, or complex conjugate pair.
EXAMPLE: Distinct Roots

Let be the solution then

To construct a second solution first write the Cauchy-Euler DE in the form
EXAMPLE: Repeated Roots
But when the roots of the auxiliary equation are complex, as in the case of DE
with constant coefficients, we wish to write the solution in terms of real functions
only. We note the identity
EXAMPLE: An Initial-Value Problem
 H.W

(1)

(2)

(3)