Transactions in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Transactions in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

The Second-Order Basis for Homogeneous Solutions of Compatible Higher Order Linear ODEs with Varying Coefficients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 JL. WONORUNGKUT UTARA I/23, RUNGKUT
2 Department of Engineering Physics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember
Abstract
This research presents a reduction and reconstruction study for third and fourth order linear ordinary differential equations with variable coefficients, including equations with nonzero dependent variable terms. A compatible higher order equation is reduced to a second order ODE and then is solved analytically to produce the homogeneous solution required by variation of parameters and the Wronskian. Once this homogeneous solution is found, the systematic general solution follows from the classical variation of parameters, represented here by equation (9d). The work therefore aims to pierce the main difficulty of variable coefficient problems: finding an analytical homogeneous solution for the linear compatible ODE with varying coefficients. Validation is performed on Airy, Bessel, Legendre, and Weber type models, including induced third and fourth order equations and beyond special functions coefficients. Numerical comparisons with classical special functions show agreement at round off scale.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 3, Issue 2
Spring 2026
Pages 74-81

  • Receive Date 15 May 2026
  • Revise Date 19 May 2026
  • Accept Date 21 May 2026
  • First Publish Date 21 May 2026
  • Publish Date 01 May 2026