[[_high_order, _with_linear_symmetries]]
Book solution method
TO DO
Mathematica ✓
cpu = 0.0145875 (sec), leaf count = 116
Maple ✓
cpu = 0.027 (sec), leaf count = 89
DSolve[a*y[x] + 12*x^2*y''[x] + 8*x^3*y'''[x] + x^4*y''''[x] == 0,y[x],x]
Mathematica raw output
{{y[x] -> (C[1]/x^(Sqrt[5 - 4*Sqrt[1 - a]]/2) + x^(Sqrt[5 - 4*Sqrt[1 - a]]/2)*C[
2] + C[3]/x^(Sqrt[5 + 4*Sqrt[1 - a]]/2) + x^(Sqrt[5 + 4*Sqrt[1 - a]]/2)*C[4])/Sq
rt[x]}}
Maple raw input
dsolve(x^4*diff(diff(diff(diff(y(x),x),x),x),x)+8*x^3*diff(diff(diff(y(x),x),x),x)+12*x^2*diff(diff(y(x),x),x)+a*y(x) = 0, y(x),'implicit')
Maple raw output
y(x) = _C1*x^(-1/2-1/2*(5-4*(1-a)^(1/2))^(1/2))+_C2*x^(-1/2+1/2*(5-4*(1-a)^(1/2)
)^(1/2))+_C3*x^(-1/2-1/2*(5+4*(1-a)^(1/2))^(1/2))+_C4*x^(-1/2+1/2*(5+4*(1-a)^(1/
2))^(1/2))