ISSN 2456-1312

Volume 1, Number 1
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Applications of Laplace Decomposition Method and Variational Iteration

Transform Method to Solve Laplace Equation
Hassan Kamil Jassim
Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Thi-Qar,
Nasiriyah, Iraq, hassan.kamil@yahoo.com

Abstract
In this paper, we implement Laplace decomposition method (LDM) and variational iteration transform method
(VITM), which are analytical numerical techniques to Laplace equation. The methods provide the solution in
the form of a rapidly convergent series. The methods are illustrated by two examples of Laplace equation and
solutions are obtained. The results reveal that the proposed methods are very effective and simple.

Indexing terms/Keywords
Laplace equation; Laplace decomposition method; Variational iteration transform method; Laplace transform.

SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010): 41A25, 41A35.

INTRODUCTION
The Laplaces equation [1,2,3] is used to describe gravitational potential in absence of mass, to define electrostatic
potential in absence of charges [4,5], and to describe temperature in a steady-state heat flow. The Laplaces equation is
often called the potential equation [6] .
Recall that the heat and the wave equations investigate the evolution of temperature and displacement respectively.
However, it is worth noting that Laplaces equation describes physical phenomena at equilibrium. Moreover, since the
solution of the Laplaces equation does not depend on time t, initial conditions are not specified and boundary conditions
at the edges of a rectangle or at the faces of a rectangular volume are specified [7]. For this reason, Laplaces equation is
best described as a Boundary Value Problem (BVP).
Recently, some promising exact analytical solution methods for Laplace equation are proposed, such as, Hes
variational iteration method (VIM) [8], homotopy perturbation transform method (HPTM)[9], Adomian decomposition
method (ADM) [9,10] and homotopy analysis method (HAM)[11]. Some of these methods were also successfully
employed to solve heat- like and wave-like equations with variable coefficients [12]. They give rapidly convergent
successive approximations of the exact solution if such a solution exists.
The Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM) is a numerical algorithm to solve nonlinear ordinary, partial differential
equations. Khuri [13,14] used this method for the approximate solution of a class of nonlinear ordinary differential
equations. So we are using same procedure on the partial differential equation. The structure of the paper is as follows. In
Section 2, we give analysis of the methods used. In Section 3, we apply the Laplace decomposition and variational
iteration transform methods to deal with the Laplace equation. Finally, in Section 4, we present our conclusions.

2. ANALYTICAL METHODS
We consider the general form of inhomogeneous nonlinear partial differential equations with initial conditions given below

L u( x, t ) R u( x, t ) N u( x, t ) h( x, t )

(2.1)

u( x,0) f ( x) , ut ( x,0) g ( x) ,

(2.2)

2
is second order differential operator, R is the remaining linear operator, N represents a general nonlinear differential
t 2
operator and h( x, t ) is a source term.
where L

2.1 Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM).

Taking Laplace transform on equation (2.1), we obtain

LL u( x, t ) LR u( x, t ) LN u( x, t ) Lh( x, t ) (2.3)
By applying the Laplace transform differentiation property, we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) sf ( x) g ( x) LR u( x, t ) LN u( x, t ) Lh( x, t ) (2.4)

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Or

Lu( x, t )

1
1
1
1
1
f ( x) 2 g ( x) 2 Lh( x, t ) 2 LR( x, t ) 2 LN u( x, t ) (2.5)
s
s
s
s
s

We are going to represent the solution in an infinite series given below:

u ( x, t )

un ( x, t ) (2.6)
n 0

The nonlinear operator is written as

N u ( x, t )

An (u)

(2.7)

n 0

where An (u ) are Adomian polynomials of u0 , u1 , u2 ,..., un and it can be calculated by formula given below:

An

1 dn
n! dn

i
N ui

i 0

(2.8)

Substituting the equation (2.6), equation (2.7) and equation (2.8) in equation (2.5), which give us this result

1
1
1

1
L un ( x, t ) f ( x) 2 g ( x) 2 Lh( x, t ) 2
s
s
s
s

n 0

LR un ( x, t ) 2 L An (u )
s

n 0

n 0

(2.9)

Or

n0

Lu( x, t ) s f ( x) s 2 g ( x) s 2 Lh( x, t ) s 2 LR un ( x, t ) s 2 L An (u) .(2.10)

1

n 0

n 0

When we compare the left and right hand sides of equation (2.10) we obtain

Lu0 ( x, t )

1
1
1
f ( x) 2 g ( x) 2 Lh( x, t )
s
s
s

Lu1 ( x, t )

1
1
LR u0 ( x, t ) 2 LA0 (u )
s2
s

Lu2 ( x, t )

1
1
LR u1 ( x, t ) 2 LA1 (u )
2
s
s

(2.11)

(2.12)

(2.13)

The recursive relation, in general form is

Lun 1 ( x, t )

1
1
LR un ( x, t ) 2 LAn (u), n 0.
2
s
s

(2.14)

Applying inverse Laplace transform to Eq. (2.11) to Eq. (2.14), so our recursive relation is as follows:

u 0 ( x, t ) r ( x, t )
1
1

un 1 ( x, t ) L1 2 LR un ( x, t ) 2 LAn (u )
s
s

(2.15)

where r ( x, t ) represents the term from source term and with the initial conditions. Now first of all, we are applying Laplace transform
on the right hand side of Eq. (2.15) and then taking the inverse Laplace transform we get the values of u0 , u1 , u2 ,..., un ,...
respectively.

2.2 Variational Iteration Transform Method (VITM).

Taking Laplace transform on equation (2.1), we obtain

LL u( x, t ) LR u( x, t ) LN u( x, t ) Lh( x, t ) .

(2.16)

By applying the Laplace transform differentiation property, we have

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s 2 Lu( x, t ) sf ( x) g ( x) LR u( x, t ) LN u( x, t ) Lh( x, t )

(2.17)

Or

Lu( x, t )

1
1
1
1
1
f ( x) 2 g ( x) 2 Lh( x, t ) 2 LR( x, t ) 2 LN u( x, t )
s
s
s
s
s

(2.18)

Taking the inverse Laplace transform on equation (2.18), we obtain

u ( x, t ) f ( x) t g ( x) L1 2 Lh( x, t ) L1 2 LR u( x, t ) L1 2 LN u ( x, t )
s

Derivative by

ut ( x, t )

(2.19)

both side (2.19), we have

t

1 1

1

1

L 2 LR u ( x, t ) L1 2 LN u ( x, t ) L1 2 h( x, t ) g ( x) 0 .
t

t
s

(2.20)

By the correction function of the irrational method

un 1 ( x, t ) un ( x, t )
t

(2.21)
1
1 1
1 1

2 LR un ( x, ) L 2 LN un ( x, ) L 2 Lh( x, ) g ( x) d
s

(un ) ( x, ) L
0

Finally, the solution u ( x, t ) is given by

u( x, t ) lim un ( x, t ) (2.22)
n

3. ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
In this section two examples for Laplace equation is presented in order to demonstrate the simplicity and the efficiency of the above
methods.

Example 1: we consider the following Laplace equation

2u ( x, t ) 2u ( x, t )

0
t 2
x 2

(3.1)

and subject to the initial conditions

u( x,0) e x ,

u ( x,0)
0
t

(3.2)

(I) Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM).

Applying the algorithm of Laplace transform on equation (3.1), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) su( x,0) ut ( x,0) Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.3)

Using given initial conditions on Eq. (3.3), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) se x Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.4)

Or

1
1
Lu ( x, t ) e x 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s
s

(3.5)

Then applying the inverse Laplace transform to Eq.(3.5), we get

u ( x, t ) e x L1 2 Lu xx ( x, t ) .
s

(3.6)

The Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM) assumes a series solution of the function u ( x, t ) which is given by

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u ( x, t )

u n ( x, t ) .

(3.7)

n 0

Substituting equation (3.7) in equation (3.6), we have

n 0

un ( x, t ) e x L1 s 2 L x 2 un ( x, t ) .

n 0

(3.8)

The recursive relation is as follows:

u0 ( x, t ) e x

(3.9)

1
u1 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

L 2 u0 ( x, t )

1
u2 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

L 2 u1 ( x, t )

(3.10)

(3.11)

Similarly we have

1
un 1 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

L 2 un ( x, t ) , n 0.

(3.12)

Now, we get

2
1

1 t
u1 ( x, t ) L1 2 L e x L1 3 e x e x
s

s
2!

1
u2 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

(3.13)

t4
t 2
1
L e x L1 5 e x e x

4!

2!

(3.14)

Similarly, u3 , u4 ,..., etc. can be obtained. The complete solution is

u ( x, t )

un ( x, t ) u0 ( x, t ) u1( x, t ) u2 ( x, t ) ...........
n 0

e x [1

t2 t4 t6
]
2! 4! 6!

e x [1

t2 t4 t6
]
2! 4! 6!

e x cos(t ) .

(3.15)

(II) Variational Iteration Transform Method (VITM).

Applying the algorithm of Laplace transform on equation (3.1), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) su( x,0) ut ( x,0) Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.16)

Using given initial conditions on Eq. (3.16), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) se x Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.17)

Or

1
1
Lu ( x, t ) e x 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s
s

(3.18)

Then applying the inverse Laplace transform to Eq.(3.18), we get

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u ( x, t ) e x L1 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s

Derivative by

ut ( x, t )

(3.19)

both sides (3.19)

t
1 1

L 2 Lu xx ( x, t ) 0

(3.20)

Making the correction function is given

un 1 ( x, t ) un ( x, t ) (un ) ( x, )

0
t

1 1

L 2 L(un ) xx ( x, ) d

(3.21)

We can use the initial condition to select u0 ( x, t ) u( x,0) e . Using this selection into the correction functional gives the
following successive approximations
x

u0 ( x, t ) u( x,0) e x

(3.22)

u1 ( x, t ) u0 ( x, t ) (u0 ) ( x, )

0
t

e x 0

0
t

e x

1 1

L 2 L(u0 ) xx ( x, ) d

1 1
L 2 L e x
s

1 1 x
L 3 e d

t2
e x 1 (3.23)
2!

u2 ( x, t ) u1 ( x, t ) (u1 ) ( x, )

0
t

t2 t4
e x 1
2! 4!

1 1

L 2 L(u1 ) xx ( x, ) d

(3.24)

.
.
.
un ( x, t ) e x

(1) k

k 0

t 2k
(2k )!

(3.25)

Finally, the solution is

u( x, t ) lim un ( x, t )
n

e x (1) k
k 0

t 2k
(2k )!

e x cos(t ) .

(3.26)

Example 2: we consider the following Laplace equation

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2u ( x, t ) 2u ( x, t )

0
t 2
x 2

(3.27)

and subject to the initial conditions

u( x,0) 0 ,

u ( x,0)
e x
t

(3.28)

(I) Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM).

Applying the algorithm of Laplace transform on equation (3.27), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) su( x,0) ut ( x,0) Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.29)

Using given initial conditions on Eq. (3.29), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) e x Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.30)

Or

Lu ( x, t )

1 x 1
e 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s2
s

(3.31)

Then applying the inverse Laplace transform to Eq.(3.31), we get

u ( x, t ) te x L1 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s

(3.32)

The Laplace Decomposition Method (LDM) assumes a series solution of the function u ( x, t ) which is given by

u ( x, t )

u n ( x, t )

(3.33)

n 0

Substituting equation (3.33) in equation (3.32), we have

1
u n ( x, t ) te x L1 2
s
n0

L 2 un ( x, t )

x n0

(3.34)

The recursive relation is as follows:

u0 ( x, t ) te x
1
u1 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

(3.35)

L 2 u0 ( x, t )

1
2

u2 ( x, t ) L1 2 L 2 u1 ( x, t )
s x

(3.36)

(3.37)

Similarly we have

1
un 1 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

L 2 un ( x, t ) , n 0.

(3.38)

Now, we get

3
1

1
t
u1 ( x, t ) L1 2 L te x L1 4 e x e x
s

s
3!

1
u2 ( x, t ) L1 2
s

t5
t 3

L e x L1 6 e x e x

5!

3!

(3.39)

(3.40)

Similarly, u3 , u4 ,..., etc. can be obtained. The complete solution is

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u ( x, t )

un ( x, t ) u0 ( x, t ) u1( x, t ) u2 ( x, t ) ...........
n 0

e x [t

t3 t5
]
3! 5!

e x [t

t3 t5
]
3! 5!

e x sin(t ) .

(3.41)

(II) Variational Iteration Transform Method (VITM).

Applying the algorithm of Laplace transform on equation (3.27), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) su( x,0) ut ( x,0) Lu xx ( x, t ) .

(3.42)

Using given initial conditions on Eq. (3.42), we have

s 2 Lu( x, t ) e x Lu xx ( x, t )

(3.43)

Or

Lu ( x, t )

1 x 1
e 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s2
s

(3.44)

Then applying the inverse Laplace transform to Eq.(3.44), we get

u ( x, t ) te x L1 2 Lu xx ( x, t )
s

Derivative by

ut ( x, t )

(3.45)

both sides (3.45)

t
1 1

x
L 2 Lu xx ( x, t ) e 0

(3.46)

Making the correction function is given

un 1 ( x, t ) un ( x, t ) (un ) ( x, )

0
t

1 1

L 2 L(un ) xx ( x, ) e x d

(3.47)

We can use the initial condition to select u0 ( x, t ) u( x,0) t ut ( x,0) te . Using this selection into the correction functional
gives the following successive approximations
x

u0 ( x, t ) te x

(3.48)

u1 ( x, t ) u0 ( x, t ) (u0 ) ( x, )

0
t

1 1

L 2 L(u0 ) xx ( x, ) e x d

1 1
x
x
te e x
L s 2 L te e d

0
t

1 1 x
L e d
te x
s 4
0
t

t3
e x t
3!

22

(3.49)

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u2 ( x, t ) u1 ( x, t ) (u1 ) ( x, )

0
t

t3 t5
e x t
3! 5!

1 1

L 2 L(u1 ) xx ( x, ) d

s
(3.50)

un ( x, t ) e x

(1) k

k 0

t 2k 1
(2k 1)!

(3.51)

Finally, the solution is

u( x, t ) lim un ( x, t )
n

e x

t 2 k 1

(1)k (2k 1)!

k 0

(3.52)

e sin(t )
x

4. CONCLUSION
In this work, Laplace decomposition method (LDM) and variational iteration transform method (VITM) is extended to solve
Laplaces Equation. By keenly observing we have come up the result that LDM and VITM are the extremely powerful and
efficient methods in finding analytical solutions for a number of linear and nonlinear problems.

REFERENCES
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(2002).
[7] G.B. Whitham, Linear and Nonlinear Waves , John Wiley, New York, (1976).
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