What is Boundary value problem: Definition and 78 Discussions

In mathematics, in the field of differential equations, a boundary value problem is a differential equation together with a set of additional constraints, called the boundary conditions. A solution to a boundary value problem is a solution to the differential equation which also satisfies the boundary conditions.
Boundary value problems arise in several branches of physics as any physical differential equation will have them. Problems involving the wave equation, such as the determination of normal modes, are often stated as boundary value problems. A large class of important boundary value problems are the Sturm–Liouville problems. The analysis of these problems involves the eigenfunctions of a differential operator.
To be useful in applications, a boundary value problem should be well posed. This means that given the input to the problem there exists a unique solution, which depends continuously on the input. Much theoretical work in the field of partial differential equations is devoted to proving that boundary value problems arising from scientific and engineering applications are in fact well-posed.
Among the earliest boundary value problems to be studied is the Dirichlet problem, of finding the harmonic functions (solutions to Laplace's equation); the solution was given by the Dirichlet's principle.

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  1. potatocake

    Boundary value problem- Random Walker

    I want to solve this using difference equation. So I set up the general equation to be Pi = 0.5 Pi+1 + 0.5 i-1 I changed it to euler's form pi = z 0.5z2-z+0.5 = 0 z = 1 since z is a repeated real root I set up general formula Pn = A(1)n+B(1)n then P0 = A = 1 PN = A+BN = 0 -> A= -BN...
  2. Nipon

    Green's function for a boundary value problem

    Homework Statement I try to integral as picture 1. The result that is found by me, it doesn't satisfy Green's function for boundary value problem. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution show in picture 2 & picture 3.
  3. evinda

    MHB Initial and boundary value problem

    Hello! (Wave) I want to find the solution of the following initial and boundary value problem: $$u_t(x,t)-u_{xx}(x,t)=0, x>0, t>0 \\ u_x(0,t)=0, t>0, \\ u(x,0)=x^2, x>0.$$I have done the following so far: $$u(x,t)=X(x) T(t)$$ $$u_t(x,t)=u_{xx}(x,t) \Rightarrow...
  4. evinda

    MHB Boundary value problem for Laplace equation

    Hello! (Wave) Let $a,b>0$ and $D$ the rectangle $(0,a) \times (0,b)$. We consider the boundary value problem in $D$ for the Laplace equation, with Dirichlet boundary conditions, $\left\{\begin{matrix} u_{xx}+u_{yy}=0 & \text{ in } D,\\ u=h & \text{ in } \partial{D}, \end{matrix}\right.$...
  5. C

    (Numerical) Boundary Value Problem for Schrodinger's Equation

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  6. T

    A Free Simulator Software for Vacuum Field BVPs | Tom

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  7. A

    A Understanding dummy variable in solution of 1D heat equation

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  8. B

    Velocity in microchannel with temporal temperature variation

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  9. A

    Implementing symmetry boundary condition for the diffusion equation

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  10. M

    I Difference Equation Boundary Conditions0.

    This question is inspired by Gilbert Strang's Course on Computational Science and Engineering, MIT 18.085. Consider the three matrices Fixed-Fixed $$K=\begin{bmatrix} 2 &-1 & 0 &0 \\ -1&2 & -1 &0 \\ 0 & -1 &2 & -1 \\ 0 & 0 & -1 & 2 \\ \end{bmatrix} $$ Free-Fixed $$T=\begin{bmatrix} 1 &-1 & 0 &0...
  11. D

    I Applications needing fast numerical conformal maps

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  12. evinda

    MHB Boundary Value Problem: Does it Have a Solution?

    Hello! (Wave) I want to check if the following boundary value problem has a solution $\left\{\begin{matrix} -u_{xx}-4u=\sin {2x}, x \in (0,\pi)\\ u(0)=u(\pi)=0 \end{matrix}\right.$ I have thought the following: We consider the corresponding homogeneous equation $-u_{xx}-4u=0$. The...
  13. M

    A Solving a Boundary Value Problem: Proving u(x) < 0

    I have a BVP of the form u" + f(x)u = g(x) , u(0)=u(1)= 0 where f(x) and g(x) are positive functions. I suspect that u(x) < 0 in the domain 0 < x < 1. How do I go proving this. I have try proving by contradiction. Assuming first u > 0 but I can't deduce that u" > 0 which contradict that u has...
  14. TheJfactors

    A Boundary Value Problem Requiring Quarterwave Symmetry

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  15. S

    Lipschitz perturbations and Hammerstein integral equations

    Recently I was a witness and a minor contributor to this thread, which more or less derailed, in spite of the efforts by @Samy_A. This is a pity and it angered me a bit, because the topic touches upon some interesting questions in elementary functional analysis. Here I would like to briefly...
  16. H Smith 94

    Finding a solution to Laplace's equation

    So here I have Laplace's equation with non-homogeneous, mixed boundary conditions in both x and y. 1. Homework Statement Solve Laplace's equation \begin{equation}\label{eq:Laplace}\nabla^2\phi(x,y)=0\end{equation} for the following boundary conditions: \phi(0, y)=2; \phi(1, y)=0; \phi(x...
  17. evinda

    MHB Solving a Boundary Value Problem: Non-Uniform vs. Uniform Partitioning

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  18. M

    MHB Green's theorem - Boundary value problem has at most one solution

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  19. Julio1

    MHB Boundary Value Problem: Solving with Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors

    Solve the boundary value problem: $\left\{ \begin{array}{lcl} y''&=&0,\hspace{1.0mm} 1<x<2\\ y(1)&=&0\\ y(3)+y'(3)&=&0 \end{array} \right. $ For the problem, I first calculate the eigenvalues and after check the roots and finally find the eigenvectors. Is correct this? Help me please :).
  20. Zachreham

    Electric Potential Inside an Infinite Rectangular Trough

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  21. electronic engineer

    How to Solve a Shooting Method Problem with Specific Boundary Conditions?

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  22. M

    MHB Find equation system for boundary value problem

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  23. N

    Is the Boundary Value Problem affected by shear force or moments?

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  24. M

    MHB Initial and boundary value problem

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  25. F

    Electrostatic boundary value problem with radial dielectrics

    Homework Statement A unit sphere at the origin contains no free charge or conductors in its interior or on its boundary. It is, however, embedded in a dielectric medium. The dielectric is linear, but the permitivity varies by angle about the origin. It is constant along any radial direction...
  26. A

    Fourth order boundary value problem

    Hi guys, so I'm stuck on quite an interesting problem, and have been for a few days now. If anybody can take the time to have a look at it that would be the most incredible thing ever, because I have reached a point where I am at a loss. Solve the following 4th order differential equation...
  27. M

    Where's the logic in this Boundary value problem?

    Considering the classic problem in Electrodynamics "Conducting sphere with Hemispheres at different potentials" How does one think in order to attack this problem? I didn't get it. What potential was considered in solving this problem? Was it the +V or the -V? Or both? Why is θ' considered...
  28. L

    Boundary Value Problem from Laplace's eq (Thermal)

    Homework Statement A rectangular plate extends to infinity along the y-axis and has a width of 20 cm. At all faces except y=0, T= 0°C. Solve the semi-infinite plate problem if the bottom edge is held at T = {0°C when, 0 < x < 10, T = {100°C when, 10 < x < 20. Homework Equations ∇2T=0...
  29. K

    PDE - Boundary value problem found in QM

    This is a quantum mechanics problem, but the problem itself is reduced (naturally) to a differential equations problem. I have to solve the following equation: \frac{\partial}{\partial t}\psi (x,t) = i\sigma \psi (x,t) where \sigma > 0 The initial condition is: \psi (x,0) =...
  30. J

    D.E. Boundary Value Problem: Finished the work, seem to get wrong ans

  31. Y

    Find the lowest order solution for a boundary value problem

    Hello, I need help in solving the problem: " find the lowest order uniform approximation to the boundary value problem εy''+y'sinx+ysin(2x)=0. y(0)=(pi), y(pi)=0. " what I did: y(out)=Ʃ(ε^n)y(n) εy''(out)+y'(out)*sinx+y(out)*sin(2x)=0 for order 0: y'(out)*sinx+y(out)*sin(2x)=0...
  32. J

    Correcting Mistakes in Representing Constants for a Differential Equation?

    I'm not sure if my answer is correct. Did I make a mistake somewhere? I'm not sure the ± needs to be there.
  33. J

    D.E. Boundary Value Problem: Finished the work but it might be wrong

    I get a different answer from my classmates. Where did I go wrong?
  34. S

    Two-point boundary value problem

    Homework Statement Solve the given BVP or show that it has no solution. (It does have a solution) y"+2y = x, y(0)=y(\pi)=0 Homework Equations Characteristic polynomial is r^2 + 2 = 0. μ = √2 The Attempt at a Solution The solution to the complementary homogeneous equation is y_h...
  35. M

    Green's Function fo a Boundary Value Problem

    Homework Statement L[y] = \frac{d^2y}{dx^2} Show that the Green's function for the boundary value problem with y(-1) = 0 and y(1) = 0 is given by G(x,y) = \frac{1}{2}(1-x)(1+y) for -1\leq y \leq x \leq 1\ G(x,y) = \frac{1}{2}(1+x)(1-y) for -1\leq x \leq y \leq...
  36. D

    Boundary value problem - constrained paramter

    Let's say I have a set of nonlinear differential equations of the form. x' = f(x,y) \\ y' = g(x,y) Where f and g contain some parameter 'a' that is constrained to within certain values. Let's say I know x(0), y(0) and x(T), y(T) where T isn't a set value. What methods can I use to...
  37. D

    Boundary Value Problem and Eigenvalues

    Homework Statement y'' +λy=0 y(1)+y'(1)=0 Show that y=Acos(αx)+Bsin(αx) satisfies the endpoint conditions if and only if B=0 and α is a positive root of the equation tan(z)=1/z. These roots (a_{n})^{∞}_{1} are the abscissas of the points of intersection of the curves y=tan(x) and...
  38. M

    Solving boundary value problem (Wave Equation)

    Homework Statement Show that the boundary-value problem $$u_{tt}=u_{xx}\qquad u(x,0)=2f(x)\qquad u_t(x,0)=2g(x)$$ has the solution $$u(x,t)=f(x+t)+f(x-t)+G(x+t)-G(x-t)$$ where ##G## is an antiderivative/indefinite integral of ##g##. Here, we assume that ##-\infty<x<\infty## and ##t\geq 0##...
  39. F

    Boundary Value problem and ODE

    Hi, I'm not sure if this is on the right thread but here goes. It's a perturbation type problem. Consider the boundry value problem $$\epsilon y'' + y' + y = 0$$ Show that if $$\epsilon = 0$$ the first order constant coefficient equation has the solution $$y_{outer} (x) = e^{1-x} $$...
  40. F

    Boundary Value problem and ODE

    Hi, I'm not sure if this is on the right thread but here goes. It's a perturbation type problem. Consider the boundry value problem $$\epsilon y'' + y' + y = 0$$ Show that if $$\epsilon = 0$$ the first order constant coefficient equation has the solution $$y_{outer} (x) = e^{1-x} $$ I have...
  41. P

    Boundary Value Problem; Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions

    Homework Statement Find the eigenvalues and eigenfunction for the BVP: y'''+\lambda^2y'=0 y(0)=0, y'(0)=0, y'(L)=0 Homework Equations m^3+\lambdam=0, auxiliary equation The Attempt at a Solution 3 cases \lambda=0, \lambda<0, \lambda>0 this first 2 give y=0 always, as the only...
  42. P

    Non-homogeneous Boundary value Problem

    Hello, I am trying to solve a vibration problem analytically but I don't understand how to implement the non-homogeneous boundary conditions. The problem is defined as below: y_{t}_{t}(x,t) = a^{2}y_{x}_{x}(x,t) With Boundary conditions: y(0,t) = 0 [ fixed...
  43. J

    Heat Equation: Boundary Value Problem

    http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7901/heatp.png Uploaded with ImageShack.us I'm having difficulty with the boundary conditions on this problem. I don't need a solution or a step by step. I've just never solved a boundary condition like this. Its the u(pi,t) = cos(t) that is giving me...
  44. P

    Solving a Boundary Value Problem: y + y = 0 ; 0<x<2π, y(0)=0 , y(2π)=1

    Homework Statement Determine all the solutions, if any, to the given boundary value problem by first finding a general solution to the differential equation: y" + y = 0 ; 0<x<2π y(0)=0 , y(2π)=1 The attempt at a solution So the general solution is given by: y = c1sin(x) +...
  45. X

    Eigenvalues for a 4th order boundary value problem

    Homework Statement y^{(4)}+\lambda y=0 y(0)=y'(0)=0 y(L)=y'(L)=0 Homework Equations The hint says... let \lambda = -\mu ^4, \mu >0 or \lambda = 0The Attempt at a Solution Listening to the hint, I got r=\pm\mu With multiplicity 2 of each. So that means.. y=c_1 e^{\mu t}+c_2te^{\mu...
  46. W

    Could anyone help me out for this Boundary Value Problem?

    Can't seem to work this out, any solutions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! Solve the boundary-value problem Uxx + Uyy + U = 0 , 0<x<1,0<y<1 U(0,y) = 0 , Ux(a,y)= f(y) U(x,0) = 0 , Uy(x,1)= sin(3*pi*x)
  47. S

    Two point boundary value problem

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  48. J

    Boundary value problem for heat conduction (HELP)

    Hi, I am trying to work this problem out but I don't know how to solve the boundary value. here is the problem statement thanks in advance
  49. L

    Laplace Boundary Value Problem

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  50. B

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