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Part CCSIR NET June 2025the-coefficients-have-period-2pi-so-a-shifted-solution-is-still-in-the-two-dimensional-span

The coefficients have period 2pi so a shifted solution is still in the two dimensional span

Consider the ordinary differential equation (ODE)d2y/) d^{2}y/dx2+cos⁡(x)^{2} + \cos(x) dy/dx + sin(x) y = 0. Let φ1(x),φ2(x)\varphi_{1}(x), \varphi_{2}(x) be solutions of the ODE, satisfying φ1(0)=1,dφ1/\varphi_{1}(0) = 1, d\varphi_{1}/dx(0) = 0, and φ2(0)=0,dφ2/\varphi_{2}(0) = 0, d\varphi_{2}/dx(0) = 1. Then which of the following statements are true?

  1. A.φ1(x+2π)\varphi_{1}(x + 2\pi) is also a solution of ODE✓ Correct
  2. B.φ2(x+4π)\varphi_{2}(x + 4\pi) is also a solution of ODE✓ Correct
  3. C.There are NO constants a, b such that φ2(x+4π)=aφ1(x)+bφ2(x)\varphi_{2}(x + 4\pi) = a\varphi_{1}(x) + b\varphi_{2}(x)
  4. D.There exist a,b∈Ra, b \in \mathbb{R} such that φ1(x+2π)=aφ1(x)+bφ2(x)\varphi_{1}(x + 2\pi) = a\varphi_{1}(x) + b\varphi_{2}(x)✓ Correct

You have the answer. Trap Analysis is why the other three were written.

Not a worked solution repeated four times — the specific reasoning error each wrong option was built to reward, and why this one tests standard counterexample.

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50 are analysed free — try those first.

The trap it tests

Standard counterexample

There is a canonical object that settles this. Recognising it is the whole question.

Drill statements like this

Related counterexample: W(f, g) ≡ 0 implies f and g are linearly dependent

More on this topic

The chapter behind this: Linear ODE, Wronskian and systems — free to read

From Ordinary Differential Equations › Linear ODE, Wronskian, variation of parameters, systems

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