First oder pde using laplce transform

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The discussion focuses on solving a first-order partial differential equation (PDE) using the Laplace transform. The equation presented is x^2 ∂u/∂x + 2x ∂u/∂t = g(t), with initial and boundary conditions specified. Participants emphasize the importance of transforming the equation with respect to time to derive an ordinary differential equation (ODE) for U(x,s), the Laplace transform of u(x,t). The solution involves manipulating the ODE and applying the inverse Laplace transform to find u(x,t). The conversation highlights the collaborative effort to tackle a complex mathematical problem, likely from an academic context.
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Hi I am having a lot of trouble trying to solve this equation. Any help is appreciated

x^2 \[partial]u/\[partial]x + 2 x \[partial]u/\[partial]t = g (t)
 
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So you have
x^2 \frac{\partial u(x,t)}{\partial x} + 2 x \frac{\partial u(x,t)}{\partial t}=g(t)

I am guessing there are some initial and/or boundary conditions associated with this? Does g have any constraints?

The details depend upon the answers to those questions. However, the title of your post says it all. If you transform this equation with respect to t, you get an ordinary differential equation for U(x,s), which is just the Laplace transform of u(x,t). Solve this ODE, and then you just invert the transform and you are done!

Good luck.

Jason
 
I have exactly the same problem. These are all the conditions:

By using the Laplace transform, obtain as an integral the solution of the first order PDE x^2 \frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + 2x \frac{\partial u}{\partial t} = g(t), subject to u(x, 0) = 0, u(1, t) = 0. The function g is continuous and |g(t)| \le Ke^{at} for some constants K, a and t > 0 (Hint: In the Laplace inversion recall that x^b = e^{b \ln x}).
 
Is this a question for a class? Is it from a textbook?

It seems like an improbable coincidence that two people who just started posting here are interested in the same problem ...
 
I had it proposed by my uncle, who is a teacher btw. It could be easily from a textbook, but I don't know which one. Also, my first post was actually on Sep6-09.
 
Last edited:
javicg said:
I had it proposed by my uncle, who is a teacher btw. It could be easily from a textbook, but I don't know which one. Also, my first post was actually on Sep6-09.

Fair enough. How far have you gotten?
 
I have been working on it and this is what I have now.


We take the Laplace transform in the t variable.

\mathcal{L}\left(2x \frac{\partial u}{\partial t} \right) = 2x \int_0^{\infty} \frac{\partial u}{\partial t} e^{-st} dt = 2x (-u(x,0) + \bar{U}(x,s)),​

where \bar{U}(x,s) =\int_0^{\infty} u(x,t) e^{-st} dt. Also,

\mathcal{L}\left(x^2 \frac{\partial u}{\partial x} \right) = x^2 \frac{\partial}{\partial x}\mathcal{L}(u) = x^2 \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \bar{U} (x,s),​

and x is treated as a constant.

Hence we have,

-2x u(x,0) + 2xs \bar{U} (x,s) + x^2 \frac{\partial \bar{U}}{\partial x} (x,s) = \mathcal{L} (g(t)).​

So,

x^2 \frac{d}{dx} \bar{U}(x,s) + 2xs \bar{U} (x,s) = \mathcal{L} (g(t)),​

or dividing by x^2

\frac{d}{dx} \bar{U}(x,s) + \frac1x 2s \bar{U} (x,s) = \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x^2}​

We solve this ODE by multiplying through by the integrating factor of x^{2s}.
This gives

x^{2s} \frac{d\bar{U}}{dx} + 2sx^{2s-1} \bar{U} = \mathcal{L} (g(t)) x^{2s-2}.​

Hence,

\frac{d}{dx} (x^2s\bar{U}) = \mathcal{L} (g(t)) x^{2s-2}.​

Therefore,

x^2s\bar{U} = \mathcal{L} (g(t)) \int x^{2s-2} = \mathcal{L} (g(t)) \left( \frac{x^{2s-1}}{2s-1} + C \right)​

for some constant of integration C. Solving for \bar{U} (x,s) gives,

\bar{U} (x,s) = \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x(2s-1)} + \frac{C}{x^{2s}}.​

Now we need to determine C. To do this we take the Laplace transform of the
initial condition to get,

\bar{U} (1,s) = \mathcal{L} (u(1,t)) = \mathcal{L} (0) = 0.​

We can now find our constant C. We have

\bar{U} (1,s) = \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{2s-1} + C = 0 \Rightarrow C = - \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{2s-1}​

Hence

\bar{U} (x,s) = \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x(2s-1)} - \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x^{2s}(2s-1)}.​

To find u(x,t) we now take the inverse Laplace transform:

\begin{align*}<br /> u(x,t)&amp;= \mathcal{L}^{-1} \left( \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x(2s-1)} -<br /> \frac{\mathcal{L} (g(t))}{x^{2s}(2s-1)} \right)\\<br /> &amp;= \mathcal{L} (g(t)) \left( \mathcal{L}^{-1} \left( \frac1{x(2s-1)} \right) -<br /> \mathcal{L}^{-1} \left( \frac1{x^{2s}(2s-1)} \right) \right) \\<br /> &amp;= \mathcal{L} (g(t)) \left( \frac1{sx(2s-1)} - \frac{x^{-2s}}{s(2s-1)} \right)<br /> \end{align*}​
 

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