Method of Characteristics: Initial Conditions and the Unique Solution in This Linear PDE Example

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Find the general solution of the PDE $pu_x + u_y = u$, where $p$ is constant, in the domain $ (x, y) : x in mathbbR, 0 le y le Y $, subject to the initial condition $u(x, 0) = g(x), x in mathbbR$.




The parametric characteristic equations are



$$fracdxdt = p, fracdydt = 1, fracdudt = u$$



We can rewrite these in non-parametric form:



$$fracdxp = dt, fracdy1 = dt, fracduu = dt$$



$$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$



And this can be written as two new ODEs:



$$fracdxdy = p, fracdudy = u$$



Solving these ODEs using separation of variables, we get that $x = py + k$ and $u = Ae^y$ on any single characteristic, with $k$ and $A$ being two related constants.



Question 1: What is meant here by "related"? What does it mean for two constants to be "related"? Why are they "related"?



The values of $k$ and $A$ are constant along any one characteristic. As such, we can write the general solution as



$$x = py + k, u = A(k)e^y$$



$A$ is written here as a function of $k$. Is this because, again, $A$ is "related" to $k$?



Geometrically, the characters are straight lines, along which the solution varies exponentially.



The parameter $k$ can be eliminated:



$$u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$$



To use the initial condition, we set $y = 0$, and so $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$, and our unique solution is



$$u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$$



Question 2: Something about this doesn't seem right? Using the initial condition, we found that $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$. So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$. But in $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$, we have that $u(x, y) = A(k) = A(x - py)e^y$, not $u(x, y) = A(x) = A(x - py)e^y$? So I don't see how it makes sense to replace $A$ with the function $g$ to get $u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$? Something doesn't seem right here.



Thank you for any guidance you could offer.







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    up vote
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    Find the general solution of the PDE $pu_x + u_y = u$, where $p$ is constant, in the domain $ (x, y) : x in mathbbR, 0 le y le Y $, subject to the initial condition $u(x, 0) = g(x), x in mathbbR$.




    The parametric characteristic equations are



    $$fracdxdt = p, fracdydt = 1, fracdudt = u$$



    We can rewrite these in non-parametric form:



    $$fracdxp = dt, fracdy1 = dt, fracduu = dt$$



    $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$



    And this can be written as two new ODEs:



    $$fracdxdy = p, fracdudy = u$$



    Solving these ODEs using separation of variables, we get that $x = py + k$ and $u = Ae^y$ on any single characteristic, with $k$ and $A$ being two related constants.



    Question 1: What is meant here by "related"? What does it mean for two constants to be "related"? Why are they "related"?



    The values of $k$ and $A$ are constant along any one characteristic. As such, we can write the general solution as



    $$x = py + k, u = A(k)e^y$$



    $A$ is written here as a function of $k$. Is this because, again, $A$ is "related" to $k$?



    Geometrically, the characters are straight lines, along which the solution varies exponentially.



    The parameter $k$ can be eliminated:



    $$u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$$



    To use the initial condition, we set $y = 0$, and so $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$, and our unique solution is



    $$u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$$



    Question 2: Something about this doesn't seem right? Using the initial condition, we found that $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$. So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$. But in $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$, we have that $u(x, y) = A(k) = A(x - py)e^y$, not $u(x, y) = A(x) = A(x - py)e^y$? So I don't see how it makes sense to replace $A$ with the function $g$ to get $u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$? Something doesn't seem right here.



    Thank you for any guidance you could offer.







    share|cite|improve this question





















      up vote
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      Find the general solution of the PDE $pu_x + u_y = u$, where $p$ is constant, in the domain $ (x, y) : x in mathbbR, 0 le y le Y $, subject to the initial condition $u(x, 0) = g(x), x in mathbbR$.




      The parametric characteristic equations are



      $$fracdxdt = p, fracdydt = 1, fracdudt = u$$



      We can rewrite these in non-parametric form:



      $$fracdxp = dt, fracdy1 = dt, fracduu = dt$$



      $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$



      And this can be written as two new ODEs:



      $$fracdxdy = p, fracdudy = u$$



      Solving these ODEs using separation of variables, we get that $x = py + k$ and $u = Ae^y$ on any single characteristic, with $k$ and $A$ being two related constants.



      Question 1: What is meant here by "related"? What does it mean for two constants to be "related"? Why are they "related"?



      The values of $k$ and $A$ are constant along any one characteristic. As such, we can write the general solution as



      $$x = py + k, u = A(k)e^y$$



      $A$ is written here as a function of $k$. Is this because, again, $A$ is "related" to $k$?



      Geometrically, the characters are straight lines, along which the solution varies exponentially.



      The parameter $k$ can be eliminated:



      $$u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$$



      To use the initial condition, we set $y = 0$, and so $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$, and our unique solution is



      $$u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$$



      Question 2: Something about this doesn't seem right? Using the initial condition, we found that $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$. So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$. But in $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$, we have that $u(x, y) = A(k) = A(x - py)e^y$, not $u(x, y) = A(x) = A(x - py)e^y$? So I don't see how it makes sense to replace $A$ with the function $g$ to get $u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$? Something doesn't seem right here.



      Thank you for any guidance you could offer.







      share|cite|improve this question












      Find the general solution of the PDE $pu_x + u_y = u$, where $p$ is constant, in the domain $ (x, y) : x in mathbbR, 0 le y le Y $, subject to the initial condition $u(x, 0) = g(x), x in mathbbR$.




      The parametric characteristic equations are



      $$fracdxdt = p, fracdydt = 1, fracdudt = u$$



      We can rewrite these in non-parametric form:



      $$fracdxp = dt, fracdy1 = dt, fracduu = dt$$



      $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$



      And this can be written as two new ODEs:



      $$fracdxdy = p, fracdudy = u$$



      Solving these ODEs using separation of variables, we get that $x = py + k$ and $u = Ae^y$ on any single characteristic, with $k$ and $A$ being two related constants.



      Question 1: What is meant here by "related"? What does it mean for two constants to be "related"? Why are they "related"?



      The values of $k$ and $A$ are constant along any one characteristic. As such, we can write the general solution as



      $$x = py + k, u = A(k)e^y$$



      $A$ is written here as a function of $k$. Is this because, again, $A$ is "related" to $k$?



      Geometrically, the characters are straight lines, along which the solution varies exponentially.



      The parameter $k$ can be eliminated:



      $$u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$$



      To use the initial condition, we set $y = 0$, and so $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$, and our unique solution is



      $$u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$$



      Question 2: Something about this doesn't seem right? Using the initial condition, we found that $u(x, 0) = A(x) = g(x)$. So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$. But in $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$, we have that $u(x, y) = A(k) = A(x - py)e^y$, not $u(x, y) = A(x) = A(x - py)e^y$? So I don't see how it makes sense to replace $A$ with the function $g$ to get $u(x, y) = g(x - py)e^y$? Something doesn't seem right here.



      Thank you for any guidance you could offer.









      share|cite|improve this question










      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question









      asked Jul 30 at 10:02









      handler's handle

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          up vote
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          "So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$"



          Yes, it is exactly this way, so we can say too that $A$ as a function of $k$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $k$. In $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$ we have $u(x, y) = A(k)e^y=g(k)e^y=g(x-py)e^y$ because $k=x-py$, as stated the ODEs.



          "Related" means that there must be a functional relation between these constants $k$ and $A$, so is, "each $k$ has its $A$" determining a curve (as intersection of two surfaces $x-py=k$ and $u=Ae^y$) into a particular solution (and another value of $k$ has another correct value of $A$ to fit the curve so determined into the surface solution): remember that the solutions are surfaces constructed has a family of curves (the characteristics).






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:48

















          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Let take the problem from the system of characteristic ODEs that you correctly got :
          $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$
          A first characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdxp = fracdy1$ :
          $$x-py=c_1$$
          A second characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdy1 = fracduu$ :
          $$ue^-y=c_2$$
          The general solution of the PDE expressed on the form of an implicit equation is :
          $$Phileft(x-py:,:ue^-y right)=0$$
          $Phi$ is an arbitrary function of two variables.



          Equivalently, on explicit form :
          $$ue^-y=F(x-py)$$
          $F$ is an arbitrary function.



          So, the general solution is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^yF(x-py)$$



          Boundary condition :



          $u(X,0)=g(X)=e^0F(X-0)=F(X)quad$ any $X$, doesn't matter the notation of the variable.



          Now the function $F(X)$ is known : $$F(X)=g(X)$$
          We put it into the above general solution where $X=x-py$.



          The particular solution which satisfies the boundary condition is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^y g(x-py)$$



          So, your result was correct. The variant to get it is equivalent. May be less confusing.






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:43










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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes








          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          1
          down vote













          "So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$"



          Yes, it is exactly this way, so we can say too that $A$ as a function of $k$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $k$. In $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$ we have $u(x, y) = A(k)e^y=g(k)e^y=g(x-py)e^y$ because $k=x-py$, as stated the ODEs.



          "Related" means that there must be a functional relation between these constants $k$ and $A$, so is, "each $k$ has its $A$" determining a curve (as intersection of two surfaces $x-py=k$ and $u=Ae^y$) into a particular solution (and another value of $k$ has another correct value of $A$ to fit the curve so determined into the surface solution): remember that the solutions are surfaces constructed has a family of curves (the characteristics).






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:48














          up vote
          1
          down vote













          "So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$"



          Yes, it is exactly this way, so we can say too that $A$ as a function of $k$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $k$. In $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$ we have $u(x, y) = A(k)e^y=g(k)e^y=g(x-py)e^y$ because $k=x-py$, as stated the ODEs.



          "Related" means that there must be a functional relation between these constants $k$ and $A$, so is, "each $k$ has its $A$" determining a curve (as intersection of two surfaces $x-py=k$ and $u=Ae^y$) into a particular solution (and another value of $k$ has another correct value of $A$ to fit the curve so determined into the surface solution): remember that the solutions are surfaces constructed has a family of curves (the characteristics).






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:48












          up vote
          1
          down vote










          up vote
          1
          down vote









          "So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$"



          Yes, it is exactly this way, so we can say too that $A$ as a function of $k$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $k$. In $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$ we have $u(x, y) = A(k)e^y=g(k)e^y=g(x-py)e^y$ because $k=x-py$, as stated the ODEs.



          "Related" means that there must be a functional relation between these constants $k$ and $A$, so is, "each $k$ has its $A$" determining a curve (as intersection of two surfaces $x-py=k$ and $u=Ae^y$) into a particular solution (and another value of $k$ has another correct value of $A$ to fit the curve so determined into the surface solution): remember that the solutions are surfaces constructed has a family of curves (the characteristics).






          share|cite|improve this answer













          "So this is saying that $A$ as a function of $x$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $x$"



          Yes, it is exactly this way, so we can say too that $A$ as a function of $k$ is equal to $g$ as a function of $k$. In $u(x, y) = A(x - py)e^y$ we have $u(x, y) = A(k)e^y=g(k)e^y=g(x-py)e^y$ because $k=x-py$, as stated the ODEs.



          "Related" means that there must be a functional relation between these constants $k$ and $A$, so is, "each $k$ has its $A$" determining a curve (as intersection of two surfaces $x-py=k$ and $u=Ae^y$) into a particular solution (and another value of $k$ has another correct value of $A$ to fit the curve so determined into the surface solution): remember that the solutions are surfaces constructed has a family of curves (the characteristics).







          share|cite|improve this answer













          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer











          answered Aug 1 at 8:30









          Rafa Budría

          4,7661525




          4,7661525











          • Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:48
















          • Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:48















          Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
          – handler's handle
          Aug 1 at 13:48




          Thank you for this. I think I understand now.
          – handler's handle
          Aug 1 at 13:48










          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Let take the problem from the system of characteristic ODEs that you correctly got :
          $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$
          A first characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdxp = fracdy1$ :
          $$x-py=c_1$$
          A second characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdy1 = fracduu$ :
          $$ue^-y=c_2$$
          The general solution of the PDE expressed on the form of an implicit equation is :
          $$Phileft(x-py:,:ue^-y right)=0$$
          $Phi$ is an arbitrary function of two variables.



          Equivalently, on explicit form :
          $$ue^-y=F(x-py)$$
          $F$ is an arbitrary function.



          So, the general solution is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^yF(x-py)$$



          Boundary condition :



          $u(X,0)=g(X)=e^0F(X-0)=F(X)quad$ any $X$, doesn't matter the notation of the variable.



          Now the function $F(X)$ is known : $$F(X)=g(X)$$
          We put it into the above general solution where $X=x-py$.



          The particular solution which satisfies the boundary condition is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^y g(x-py)$$



          So, your result was correct. The variant to get it is equivalent. May be less confusing.






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:43














          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Let take the problem from the system of characteristic ODEs that you correctly got :
          $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$
          A first characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdxp = fracdy1$ :
          $$x-py=c_1$$
          A second characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdy1 = fracduu$ :
          $$ue^-y=c_2$$
          The general solution of the PDE expressed on the form of an implicit equation is :
          $$Phileft(x-py:,:ue^-y right)=0$$
          $Phi$ is an arbitrary function of two variables.



          Equivalently, on explicit form :
          $$ue^-y=F(x-py)$$
          $F$ is an arbitrary function.



          So, the general solution is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^yF(x-py)$$



          Boundary condition :



          $u(X,0)=g(X)=e^0F(X-0)=F(X)quad$ any $X$, doesn't matter the notation of the variable.



          Now the function $F(X)$ is known : $$F(X)=g(X)$$
          We put it into the above general solution where $X=x-py$.



          The particular solution which satisfies the boundary condition is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^y g(x-py)$$



          So, your result was correct. The variant to get it is equivalent. May be less confusing.






          share|cite|improve this answer





















          • Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:43












          up vote
          1
          down vote










          up vote
          1
          down vote









          Let take the problem from the system of characteristic ODEs that you correctly got :
          $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$
          A first characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdxp = fracdy1$ :
          $$x-py=c_1$$
          A second characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdy1 = fracduu$ :
          $$ue^-y=c_2$$
          The general solution of the PDE expressed on the form of an implicit equation is :
          $$Phileft(x-py:,:ue^-y right)=0$$
          $Phi$ is an arbitrary function of two variables.



          Equivalently, on explicit form :
          $$ue^-y=F(x-py)$$
          $F$ is an arbitrary function.



          So, the general solution is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^yF(x-py)$$



          Boundary condition :



          $u(X,0)=g(X)=e^0F(X-0)=F(X)quad$ any $X$, doesn't matter the notation of the variable.



          Now the function $F(X)$ is known : $$F(X)=g(X)$$
          We put it into the above general solution where $X=x-py$.



          The particular solution which satisfies the boundary condition is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^y g(x-py)$$



          So, your result was correct. The variant to get it is equivalent. May be less confusing.






          share|cite|improve this answer













          Let take the problem from the system of characteristic ODEs that you correctly got :
          $$rightarrow fracdxp = fracdy1 = fracduu$$
          A first characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdxp = fracdy1$ :
          $$x-py=c_1$$
          A second characteristic equation comes from $quadfracdy1 = fracduu$ :
          $$ue^-y=c_2$$
          The general solution of the PDE expressed on the form of an implicit equation is :
          $$Phileft(x-py:,:ue^-y right)=0$$
          $Phi$ is an arbitrary function of two variables.



          Equivalently, on explicit form :
          $$ue^-y=F(x-py)$$
          $F$ is an arbitrary function.



          So, the general solution is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^yF(x-py)$$



          Boundary condition :



          $u(X,0)=g(X)=e^0F(X-0)=F(X)quad$ any $X$, doesn't matter the notation of the variable.



          Now the function $F(X)$ is known : $$F(X)=g(X)$$
          We put it into the above general solution where $X=x-py$.



          The particular solution which satisfies the boundary condition is :
          $$u(x,y)=e^y g(x-py)$$



          So, your result was correct. The variant to get it is equivalent. May be less confusing.







          share|cite|improve this answer













          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer











          answered Aug 1 at 9:07









          JJacquelin

          39.7k21649




          39.7k21649











          • Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:43
















          • Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
            – handler's handle
            Aug 1 at 13:43















          Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
          – handler's handle
          Aug 1 at 13:43




          Yes, I found this clearer! Thank you for this.
          – handler's handle
          Aug 1 at 13:43












           

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