Problems

If \[y = \begin{cases} \mathrm{k}_1(x) & x \leqslant b \\ \mathrm{k}_2(x) & x \geqslant b \end{cases}\] with \(\mathrm{k}_1(b) = \mathrm{k}_2(b)\), then \(y\) is said to be \emph{continuously differentiable} at \(x = b\) if \(\mathrm{k}_1'(b) = \mathrm{k}_2'(b)\).

1. Let \(\mathrm{f}(x) = x\mathrm{e}^{-x}\). Verify that, for all real \(x\), \(y = \mathrm{f}(x)\) is a solution to the differential equation \[\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 y}{\mathrm{d}x^2} + 2\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} + y = 0\] and that \(y = 0\) and \(\dfrac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = 1\) when \(x = 0\). Show that \(\mathrm{f}'(x) \geqslant 0\) for \(x \leqslant 1\).
2. You are given the differential equation \[\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 y}{\mathrm{d}x^2} + 2\left|\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right| + y = 0\] where \(y = 0\) and \(\dfrac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = 1\) when \(x = 0\). Let \[y = \begin{cases} \mathrm{g}_1(x) & x \leqslant 1 \\ \mathrm{g}_2(x) & x \geqslant 1 \end{cases}\] be a solution of the differential equation which is continuously differentiable at \(x = 1\). Write down an expression for \(\mathrm{g}_1(x)\) and find an expression for \(\mathrm{g}_2(x)\).
3. State the geometrical relationship between the curves \(y = \mathrm{g}_1(x)\) and \(y = \mathrm{g}_2(x)\).
4. Prove that if \(y = \mathrm{k}(x)\) is a solution of the differential equation \[\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 y}{\mathrm{d}x^2} + p\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} + qy = 0\] in the interval \(r \leqslant x \leqslant s\), where \(p\) and \(q\) are constants, then, in a suitable interval which you should state, \(y = \mathrm{k}(c - x)\) satisfies the differential equation \[\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 y}{\mathrm{d}x^2} - p\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} + qy = 0\,.\]
5. You are given the differential equation \[\frac{\mathrm{d}^2 y}{\mathrm{d}x^2} + 2\left|\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x}\right| + 2y = 0\] where \(y = 0\) and \(\dfrac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = 1\) when \(x = 0\). Let \(\mathrm{h}(x) = \mathrm{e}^{-x}\sin x\). Show that \(\mathrm{h}'\!\left(\frac{1}{4}\pi\right) = 0\). It is given that \(y = \mathrm{h}(x)\) satisfies the differential equation in the interval \(-\frac{3}{4}\pi \leqslant x \leqslant \frac{1}{4}\pi\) and that \(\mathrm{h}'(x) \geqslant 0\) in this interval. In a solution to the differential equation which is continuously differentiable at \((n + \frac{1}{4})\pi\) for all \(n \in \mathbb{Z}\), find \(y\) in terms of \(x\) in the intervals
   1. \(\frac{1}{4}\pi \leqslant x \leqslant \frac{5}{4}\pi\),
   2. \(\frac{5}{4}\pi \leqslant x \leqslant \frac{9}{4}\pi\).