Method of Separation of variables 1. Use the method of separation of variables to solve the equation 𝜕𝑢𝜕𝑥 = 2𝜕𝑢𝜕𝑡+ u; 𝑢(𝑥, 0) = 6𝑒−3𝑥.

Answer: u(x,t)=6e−3x−2tu(x, t) = 6e^{-3x - 2t}

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Assume a separable product solution

We assume a trial solution in product form u(x,t)=X(x)T(t)u(x, t) = X(x)T(t), where XX is a function solely of xx and TT is a function solely of tt. Computing the partial derivatives gives ∂u∂x=X′T\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = X'T and ∂u∂t=XT′\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} = XT'.

Step 2: Separate the variables

Substitute the derivatives into the PDE ∂u∂x=2∂u∂t+u\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} = 2\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} + u to get X′T=2XT′+XTX'T = 2XT' + XT. Dividing both sides by XT=u(x,t)XT = u(x, t) separates the variables into an expression in xx alone on the left and an expression in tt alone on the right. Since they depend on independent variables, both sides must equal a constant kk.

Step 3: Solve the ordinary differential equations

From X′X=k\frac{X'}{X} = k, integrating with respect to xx gives X(x)=C1ekxX(x) = C_1 e^{kx}. From 2T′+TT=k\frac{2T' + T}{T} = k, we have 2T′T+1=k2\frac{T'}{T} + 1 = k, which simplifies to T′T=k−12\frac{T'}{T} = \frac{k - 1}{2}. Integrating with respect to tt gives T(t)=C2ek−12tT(t) = C_2 e^{\frac{k - 1}{2}t}.

Step 4: Combine and apply the initial condition

Multiplying the solutions gives u(x,t)=Cekx+k−12tu(x, t) = C e^{kx + \frac{k - 1}{2}t}, where C=C1C2C = C_1 C_2. Applying the given condition u(x,0)=6e−3xu(x, 0) = 6e^{-3x}, we match terms to find C=6C = 6 and k=−3k = -3.

Step 5: Write the final particular solution

Substitute k=−3k = -3 and C=6C = 6 into the general solution. The exponent in tt evaluates to −3−12t=−2t\frac{-3 - 1}{2}t = -2t. Thus, the unique solution is u(x,t)=6e−3x−2tu(x, t) = 6e^{-3x - 2t}.

Solve your own maths question free →