Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 3 - Differentiation - 3.5 Higher Derivatives - Exercises - Page 136: 42

Answer

$$ f(x)= x^2-2x$$

Work Step by Step

Given $$x f^{\prime \prime}(x)+f(x)=x^{2}$$ Since the R.H.S is a polynomial of degree $2$, then consider \begin{align*} f(x)&= ax^2+bx+c\\ f'(x)&=2ax+b\\ f''(x)&=2a \end{align*} Then \begin{align*} x f^{\prime \prime}(x)+f(x)&=x^{2}\\ x(2a)+(ax^2+bx+c)&= x^2\\ ax^2+(b+2a) x+c&=x^2 \end{align*} By comparing, we get $$a=1 ,\ \ c=0,\ \ b=-2 $$ Hence $$ f(x)= x^2-2x$$
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