TITLE: Differential equation $f''(x)+2 x f(x)f'(x) = 0$
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: I am trying to solve, 
$ f''(x)+2 x f(x)f'(x) = 0$ 
with boundary conditions $f(-\infty)=1$ and $f(\infty)=0$. I have found that for instance $f(x) = 3/2 x^{-2}$ but obviously it does not satisfy the proper boundary conditions. Any ideas for a solution?

REPLY [2 votes]: Hint:
This belongs to a generalized Emden–Fowler equation.
$f''(x)+2xf(x)f'(x)=0$
$\dfrac{d^2f}{dx^2}=-2xf\dfrac{df}{dx}$
$\therefore\dfrac{d^2x}{df^2}=2fx\left(\dfrac{dx}{df}\right)^2$
Follow the method in http://science.fire.ustc.edu.cn/download/download1/book%5Cmathematics%5CHandbook%20of%20Exact%20Solutions%20for%20Ordinary%20Differential%20EquationsSecond%20Edition%5Cc2972_fm.pdf#page=377:
Let $\begin{cases}y=\dfrac{df}{dx}\\t=f^2\end{cases}$ ,
Then $\dfrac{d^2t}{dy^2}=2y^{-1}t^{-\frac{1}{2}}\left(\dfrac{dt}{dy}\right)^3$
$\therefore\dfrac{d^2y}{dt^2}=-2t^{-\frac{1}{2}}y^{-1}$
Which reduces to an Emden–Fowler equation.