Find the most general function f such that

f′′(x) = 16 cos 4x .

To find the most general function f that satisfies the given second-order differential equation f''(x) = 16 cos 4x, we will integrate the equation twice.

Step 1: Integrate the equation f''(x) = 16 cos 4x with respect to x to find the first antiderivative.

∫ f''(x) dx = ∫ 16 cos 4x dx

By integrating the right side, we get:

f'(x) = 16/4 ∫ cos 4x dx
f'(x) = 4 ∫ cos 4x dx

Using the integral identity for the cosine function, we have:

f'(x) = 4 (1/4) sin 4x + C1
f'(x) = sin 4x + C1

Here, C1 is an arbitrary constant.

Step 2: Integrate the equation f'(x) = sin 4x + C1 with respect to x to find the second antiderivative.

∫ f'(x) dx = ∫ (sin 4x + C1) dx

By integrating the right side, we get:

f(x) = ∫ sin 4x dx + ∫ C1 dx
f(x) = -1/4 cos 4x + C1x + C2

Here, C2 is an arbitrary constant.

Therefore, the most general function f that satisfies the given differential equation f''(x) = 16 cos 4x is:

f(x) = -1/4 cos 4x + C1x + C2