Integral-based solution for a class of second order boundary value problems (Q1294195)

An approach to solve boundary value problems for second order equations providing the solution in terms of power series is proposed. Assuming the second order differential equations written in the form \( y''(x) + P(x, y(x), y(x), y''(x))=0,\) where \(P\) is a polynomial function in its arguments, the author starts transforming the differential equation into an equivalent integral form. Then he proposes to get the desired solution as a power series based in \(x=0\) whose coefficients must be computed by substitution into the integral equation, similarly as the treatment undertaken by Cauchy (1824) in his proof of the existence of the solution of a system of differential equations. The approach is formal and neither the convergence of the power series nor the existence of a unique solution for the algebraic equations which determine the coefficients are proved. Some elementary examples whose solution is known a priori are included.