Define functions $f_1,f_2 : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ by asserting that for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$ it holds that: $$f_1(x) = e^{2x}\cos x, f_2(x) = e^{2x}\sin x.$$
Also, define a set $$F = \{f : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}\,|\,f''-4f'+5f=0\}.$$
It is easy to see that for all $i \in \{1,2\}$ it holds that $f_i \in F$. How can I show that $\{f_1,f_2\}$ is a basis for $F$?
Edit: Here's an incomplete attempt at a proof. The starred lines (namely, 2 and 5) are the ones I need help with.
- Let $F' = \{c_1 f_1 + c_2 f_2 \,|\,c_1,c_2 \in \mathbb{R}\}$.
- Prove that $\{f_1,f_2\}$ are linearly independent.*
- Conclude that $\{f_1,f_2\}$ is a basis for $F'$, and therefore that that $\mathrm{dim}(F')=2$.
- Prove that $F' \subseteq F$. (This is easy.)
- Use a theorem to show that $\mathrm{dim}(F)=2$.*
- Conclude that $F'=F$, and therefore that $\{f_1,f_2\}$ is a basis for $F$.
Line 5 is the really interesting one. What's the name of the theorem that tells us that $\mathrm{dim}(F) = 2$?
Edit 2: Line 5 follows from Theorem 3.4 in this document. (Thank you muzzlater.) So all that remains to show is Line 2.
This page goes into detail about the dimension of the solution space for a linear ODE.
– muzzlator Mar 04 '13 at 06:22