Consider the equation $$y'-y=e^x$$$$y(0)=0$$ Using power series, I'm supposed to find $y(x)$. So far, I got that $$y'-y-e^x=\sum_{n=1}^\infty na_n x^{n-1} -\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nx^n -\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^n}{n!}=$$$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty (n+1)a_{n+1}x^n-\sum_{n=0}^\infty a_nx^n-\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^n}{n!} =\sum_{n=0}^\infty x^n[(n+1)a_{n+1}-a_n-\frac{1}{n!}] =0$$ which follows that $$a_{n+1}=\frac{1}{(n+1)!} + \frac{a_n}{n+1}$$ The textbook answer states that $y(x)=xe^x$ (which I know should be in the form of its power series $\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{x^{n+1}}{n!} $). By writing down the terms, I got that $a_1=1, a_2=1, a_3=\frac{1}{2},a_4=\frac{1}{6}\dots$ but I can't see the pattern that leads to $xe^x$. Can I have some assistance? :)
Also, as an addendum, the only way I was taught solving was doing this way, which always leads to some $a_{n+1}=a_n$ recurrence which I need to solve. Is there some other way which doesn't require solving the recurrence?
You have $$ a_{n+1} = \frac{1+n!a_n}{(n+1)!}. $$ and $a_0 = 0$.
This is true for $n=1$. Assume that it is true for some $n$. Then $$ a_{n+1} = \frac{1+n!a_n}{(n+1)!} = \frac{1+n}{(n+1)!} = \frac 1{n!}. $$ Done.