Math Problem Statement

Solve the first-order partial differential equation 2u_t + 3u_x = 0 with the auxiliary condition u(x, 0) = sin(sin(x)).

Solution

The given problem is a first-order partial differential equation:

2ut+3ux=02u_t + 3u_x = 0

with the auxiliary condition:

u(x,0)=sin(sin(x)).u(x, 0) = \sin(\sin(x)).

This is a linear first-order PDE, and we can solve it using the method of characteristics. The general form of a linear first-order PDE is:

aut+bux=0,a u_t + b u_x = 0,

where a=2a = 2 and b=3b = 3 in this case.

Step 1: Solve the characteristic equations

The characteristic equations are given by:

dta=dxb=du0.\frac{dt}{a} = \frac{dx}{b} = \frac{du}{0}.

Substituting a=2a = 2 and b=3b = 3, we get:

dt2=dx3=du0.\frac{dt}{2} = \frac{dx}{3} = \frac{du}{0}.

From du0\frac{du}{0}, we see that uu remains constant along the characteristic curves.

Next, solve for the characteristic curves:

dt2=dx3    3dt=2dx    x32t=constant.\frac{dt}{2} = \frac{dx}{3} \implies 3 dt = 2 dx \implies x - \frac{3}{2}t = \text{constant}.

Thus, the characteristic curves are given by:

x32t=ξ,x - \frac{3}{2} t = \xi,

where ξ\xi is a constant along each characteristic.

Step 2: General solution

Since uu is constant along each characteristic, the solution must be a function of x32tx - \frac{3}{2}t, i.e.,

u(x,t)=f(x32t),u(x,t) = f\left(x - \frac{3}{2}t\right),

where ff is determined by the initial condition.

Step 3: Apply the initial condition

The initial condition is u(x,0)=sin(sin(x))u(x,0) = \sin(\sin(x)). Using this in the general solution:

u(x,0)=f(x)=sin(sin(x)).u(x,0) = f(x) = \sin(\sin(x)).

Thus, the function f(x)f(x) is:

f(x)=sin(sin(x)).f(x) = \sin(\sin(x)).

Therefore, the solution to the PDE is:

u(x,t)=sin(sin(x32t)).u(x,t) = \sin\left(\sin\left(x - \frac{3}{2}t\right)\right).

Final Answer:

The solution for the PDE 2ut+3ux=02u_t + 3u_x = 0 with the auxiliary condition u(x,0)=sin(sin(x))u(x,0) = \sin(\sin(x)) is:

u(x,t)=sin(sin(x32t)).u(x,t) = \sin\left(\sin\left(x - \frac{3}{2}t\right)\right).

Would you like further explanation or have any questions about the method used?

Here are 5 related questions to extend this:

  1. How do characteristic curves help in solving first-order PDEs?
  2. What is the physical interpretation of characteristic lines?
  3. How would the solution change if the coefficients of utu_t and uxu_x were different?
  4. Can this method be applied to nonlinear first-order PDEs?
  5. What happens if a boundary condition is added to this problem?

Tip: For solving first-order linear PDEs, the method of characteristics is a powerful tool that reduces the partial differential equation to ordinary differential equations along characteristic curves.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Partial Differential Equations
Method of Characteristics

Formulas

General form of a first-order linear PDE: a u_t + b u_x = 0
Characteristic equations: dt/a = dx/b = du/0
General solution: u(x, t) = f(x - (b/a)t)

Theorems

Method of Characteristics
Initial Condition

Suitable Grade Level

Undergraduate - Advanced Calculus / Differential Equations