Find a linear differential operator that annihilates the given function

Find a linear differential operator that annihilates the given function. (Use D for the differential operator.)

For, 1+6x – 2×3 and, e-x + 2xex – x2ex

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

L(D)[f(x)]=0

Where D=ddxD = \frac{d}{dx}D=dxd​ is the differential operator.


Part 1: f(x)=1+6x−2x3f(x) = 1 + 6x – 2x^3f(x)=1+6x−2×3

This is a polynomial of degree 3. Any polynomial of degree nnn can be annihilated by Dn+1D^{n+1}Dn+1.

  • Here, the degree is 3.
  • So, the annihilator is:

D4\boxed{D^4}D4​

Explanation:

  • D[1+6x−2×3]=6−6x2D[1 + 6x – 2x^3] = 6 – 6x^2D[1+6x−2×3]=6−6×2
  • D2[1+6x−2×3]=−12xD^2[1 + 6x – 2x^3] = -12xD2[1+6x−2×3]=−12x
  • D3[1+6x−2×3]=−12D^3[1 + 6x – 2x^3] = -12D3[1+6x−2×3]=−12
  • D4[1+6x−2×3]=0D^4[1 + 6x – 2x^3] = 0D4[1+6x−2×3]=0

Thus, the operator D4D^4D4 annihilates the polynomial function.


Part 2: f(x)=e−x+2xex−x2exf(x) = e^{-x} + 2x e^x – x^2 e^xf(x)=e−x+2xex−x2ex

This is a combination of two terms:

  • e−xe^{-x}e−x
  • (2x−x2)ex(2x – x^2)e^x(2x−x2)ex, which is a polynomial times exe^xex

We can treat each separately and take the least common multiple (LCM) of their annihilators.

For e−xe^{-x}e−x:

  • D+1D + 1D+1 annihilates e−xe^{-x}e−x because: (D+1)[e−x]=D[e−x]+e−x=−e−x+e−x=0(D + 1)[e^{-x}] = D[e^{-x}] + e^{-x} = -e^{-x} + e^{-x} = 0(D+1)[e−x]=D[e−x]+e−x=−e−x+e−x=0

For (2x−x2)ex(2x – x^2)e^x(2x−x2)ex:

This is a polynomial of degree 2 multiplied by exe^xex.

  • A polynomial of degree 2 times exe^xex is annihilated by (D−1)3(D – 1)^3(D−1)3

Why?
Because:

  • If f(x)=P(x)exf(x) = P(x)e^xf(x)=P(x)ex, and P(x)P(x)P(x) is degree nnn, then the annihilator is (D−1)n+1(D – 1)^{n+1}(D−1)n+1

So:

  • (D−1)3(D – 1)^3(D−1)3 annihilates (2x−x2)ex(2x – x^2)e^x(2x−x2)ex

Now take the LCM of the annihilators:

  • For e−xe^{-x}e−x: D+1D + 1D+1
  • For (2x−x2)ex(2x – x^2)e^x(2x−x2)ex: (D−1)3(D – 1)^3(D−1)3

So the overall annihilator is: (D+1)(D−1)3\boxed{(D + 1)(D – 1)^3}(D+1)(D−1)3​


✅ Final Answers:

  • For 1+6x−2×31 + 6x – 2x^31+6x−2×3
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