Which of the following is the general solution of $\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} - 2 \frac{dy}{dx} + y = 0$?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → $y = (Ax + B)e^x$ ##
From option (1) we have, $y = (Ax + B)e^x \dots(i)$
On differentiating both sides w.r.t. $x$, we get
$\frac{dy}{dx} = (Ax + B)e^x + e^x(A + 0)$
$\Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dx} = y + Ae^x \dots(ii)$
Again, differentiating both sides w.r.t. $x$, we get
$\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = \frac{dy}{dx} + Ae^x$
$\Rightarrow \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = \frac{dy}{dx} + \frac{dy}{dx} - y \quad \left[ \text{from Eq. (ii) } Ae^x = \frac{dy}{dx} - y \right]$
$\Rightarrow \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 2 \frac{dy}{dx} - y \Rightarrow \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} - 2 \frac{dy}{dx} + y = 0$
Hence, option (1) is correct.