For those familiar with the WKB method

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Poirot1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Method Wkb
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the WKB approximation method in the context of differential equations, specifically addressing the dominant balance in the equation $y''-y(t^{2}x^{2}+tx^{-1})=0$. The participant, Poirot, seeks clarification on whether to treat the parameter x as O(1) when lambda tends to infinity. Sudharaka confirms the topic is indeed the WKB method and prompts for further elaboration. The key conclusion is that in dominant balance, only the term t should be retained, as it is the leading order term, while x should not be treated as O(1) in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of WKB approximation method
  • Familiarity with dominant balance techniques in differential equations
  • Knowledge of asymptotic notation, specifically Big O notation
  • Basic concepts of differential equations and their solutions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the WKB approximation method in detail
  • Learn about dominant balance in asymptotic analysis
  • Explore examples of differential equations using the WKB method
  • Investigate the implications of asymptotic notation in mathematical analysis
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and engineers who are working with differential equations and require a deeper understanding of the WKB approximation method and its applications in asymptotic analysis.

Poirot1
Messages
243
Reaction score
0
let x be the parameter in some interval and let lambda tend to infinity. Should I treat x as of the same order as constants, i.e x=O(1)?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Poirot said:
let x be the parameter in some interval and let lambda tend to infinity. Should I treat x as of the same order as constants, i.e x=O(1)?

Hi Poirot, :)

I am sorry but I don't understand your question. Are you taking about the WKB approximation method? Can you please elaborate further?

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Last edited:
Sudharaka said:
Hi Poirot, :)

I am sorry but I don't understand your question. Are you taking about the WKB approximation method? Can you please elaborate further?

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

This is indeed what I am talking about Sudharaka. I have two questions for you- one which can be best illustrated by an example. For large t, find wkb approximation of

$y''-y(t^{2}x^{2}+tx^{-1})=0$ for x not zero

We do this by substituting y=exp(...) (I'm sure you're familiar with this) and finding dominant balances. In the second dominant balance equation, I had potential driving terms t and t/x, and I thought both should be retained in the dominant balance as they are both of O(t). But the answer was wrong and it was clear that I should only retain t.
Why?

My second (and original) question is if I have to choose between x and a constant between retained in the dominant balance, ought I to retain both? I.e. x=O(1)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K