Dr. L.

Stals
Department of Mathematics
Australian National University

Second Semester 2015

MATH2306 - Partial Differential Equations and Applications

(Assignment 4.)
Question: 1 (Wave movement)

3P.

Suppose that u(x, t) = F (x ct) + G(x + ct) is a solution of the wave equation utt = c2 uxx where
F and G are sketched in Figure 1. Sketch the solution for various times.
Question: 2 (Three dimensional wave equation)

3P.

Consider the three-dimensional wave equation

2u
= c2 2 u.
t2
Assume that the solution is spherically symmetric, so that


1
2 u
2

.
u= 2

a). Make the transformation

(2P.)
u=

1
w(, t)

and verify that

2
2w
2 w
=
c
.
t2
2

b). Show that the most general spherically symmetric solution of the wave equation consists of
the sum of two spherically symmetric waves, one moving outward at speed c and the other
inward at speed c. Note the change in the amplitude.
(1P.)
Question: 3 (Wave equation)

4P.

Solve the problem

utt = c2 uxx
for t > 0 and

u(x, 0) = e2x ,

ut (x, 0) = cos x.

Use a plotting package of your choice to graph the wave profiles at t = 0, 1, and 2. Set c = 1.
Total Grade:

10P.
Assignment Due: Friday, 29th August 2015 by 5pm.
1

F (x)
x=0

x=2

1




G(x) 

x=0

x=1

Figure 1: Graph of F and G