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Differential EquationsHardSeries Solutions

Series Solutions · Hard problem

For y′′+ky′+y=0y'' + ky' + y = 0 with k>0k>0, the power-series solution's coefficients come from a recurrence built on the characteristic roots of r2+kr+1=0r^2+kr+1=0. The solution oscillates (coefficients behave like a decaying sine/cosine) exactly when those roots are complex. What is the smallest positive integer kk for which the solution is NOT oscillatory?