Scribd
Upload
14 views2 pages

PDE Solution Methods

Basic PDE solving techniques.

Uploaded by

CyanPowder
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views2 pages

PDE Solution Methods

Basic PDE solving techniques.

Uploaded by

CyanPowder
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Basic Methods for Solving Partial Differential Equations

1 Separation of Variables
Applicable to: Linear PDEs where the solution can be expressed as the product of functions, each
depending on a single variable.
Method:
1. Assume u(x, t) = X(x) T (t).
2. Substitute into the PDE and separate variables.
3. Solve the resulting ODEs for X(x) and T (t).
2
∂u
Example: One-dimensional heat equation, ∂t = α ∂∂xu2 .
T ′ (t) X ′′ (x)
u(x, t) = X(x) T (t) =⇒ = = −λ (1)
αT (t) X(x)

2 Fourier Series Solutions


Applicable to: PDEs with periodic boundary conditions.
Method:
P∞
1. Expand the solution as a Fourier series: u(x, t) = n=0 un (t) sin(nπx/L).
2. Substitute into the PDE and solve for un (t).
Example: Wave equation with fixed boundary conditions,
∂2u 2
2 ∂ u
= c (2)
∂t2 ∂x2

3 Method of Characteristics
Applicable to: First-order PDEs.
Method:
dx
1. Rewrite the PDE in terms of characteristic curves: dt = f (x, t).
2. Solve the characteristic equations to find the general solution.
∂u
Example: First-order PDE, ∂t + c ∂u
∂x = 0.

dx
Characteristic: = c =⇒ u(x, t) = f (x − ct) (3)
dt

4 Laplace Transform Method


Applicable to: Linear PDEs with initial conditions.
Method:
1. Take the Laplace transform with respect to time: L{u(x, t)}.
2. Solve the resulting ODE for L{u(x, t)}.
3. Inverse Laplace transform to find u(x, t).
2
∂u
Example: Heat equation, ∂t = α ∂∂xu2 , with initial condition u(x, 0) = f (x).

1
5 Green’s Functions
Applicable to: Linear non-homogeneous PDEs.
Method:
1. Define the Green’s function, G(x, ξ), for the differential operator.
R
2. Solve for u(x) using the convolution: u(x) = G(x, ξ) f (ξ) dξ.
Example: Poisson’s equation, ∇2 u = −ρ.
Z
u(x) = G(x, ξ) ρ(ξ) dξ (4)

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy