Homogeneous n-th order ODE
$$a_{0}y^{(n)} + a_{1}y^{(n-1)} + \dots+a_{n-1}y^{(1)} + a_{n}y = 0 \tag{4}$$
where the superscripts denote
The fundamental set of solutions
- Every distinct root
contributes one solution to the basis, - Every root repeated
times contributes solutions to the basis, $$e^{mx},\ \ xe^{mx},\ \ x^2e^{mx},\ \ x^3e^{mx},\ \dots \ x^{k-1}e^{mx}$$ - Each individual complex conjugate
will contribute two solution, and . - Each repeated complex conjugate (
) repeated times, contribute LI solutions in the same fashion as rule 2. and ; and ; and ; ; and .