# Finding eigenvalue and eigenfunction of the boundary value problem

How to find eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of this boundary value problem? $$y'' + \lambda y = 0 \\ y'(0)=0, y(\pi/2)=0$$ I want to find only positive eigenvalues. I proceed like this: $$y=C_1 \cos(\sqrt{\lambda} x) + C_2 \sin(\sqrt{\lambda} x)\\ y(\pi/2)=0 \Rightarrow C_2=0\\ \therefore y=C_1 \cos(\sqrt{\lambda }x \\ y'=-C_1 \sqrt{\lambda } \sin(\sqrt{\lambda} x) \\ y'(0)=0 \Rightarrow -C_1 \sqrt{\lambda } \sin(\sqrt{\lambda} x)$$ So, $C_1=0$ or $\lambda=0$. In these cases, we only get trivial solution.

So, does any value of $\lambda$ is eigenvalue? Or have I made errors?

• How do you get $C_2 = 0$? – user99914 Nov 16 '14 at 23:42
• @John $C_2sin(\sqrt{\lambda}\frac{\pi}{2})=0$ but sine function is not zero. – b2850624 Nov 16 '14 at 23:48

For simplicity $\lambda\mapsto\lambda^2$, then we have $$y'' + \lambda^2y = 0$$ which is the differential equation for SHO. Thus, $y(x) = A\cos(\lambda x) + B\sin(\lambda x)$. The first BC we should use is $y'(0) = 0$. \begin{alignat}{2} y'(0) &= B\lambda &&{}=0\\ B &= 0\\ y(x) &= A\cos(\lambda x)\\ y(\pi/2) &= \cos(\lambda\pi/2) &&{}=0 \end{alignat} Cosine is zero when the argument is $n\pi/2$ where $n$ is an odd integer. Therefore, $\lambda = 2n-1$. Your eigenfunction is then $$y_n(x) = A_n\cos[(2n-1)x]$$
• $\cos(\lambda\pi/2)=0$ if $\lambda=1,3,5,7,9,\cdots$. – DisintegratingByParts Nov 17 '14 at 0:23