General solution for a standing wave to the wave equation.

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SUMMARY

The general solution for a standing wave represented by the wave equation is derived using the separation of variables technique, yielding two forms for P(x): \(P(x) = A\sin{(nx)}\) and \(P(x) = B\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}\). The complete solution combines these forms, resulting in \(u(x,t) = \sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\sin{(nx)}\sin{(nct+\phi)} + \sum_{n=1}^\infty b_n\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}\sin{(nct+\phi)}\). The discrepancy arises from the quantization of \(\lambda\) as both integers and odd multiples divided by two, which is permissible in the context of linear combinations of solutions. This indicates a nuanced understanding of boundary conditions and eigenvalues in wave equations.

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Homework Statement



If ##u(x,t)\in \mathbb R, x\in[-\pi,\pi] ## represents a standing wave with ##u(\pm\pi,t)=0## Then what is the most general solution u(x,t)?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Using the separation of variable technique: u(x,t)=P(x)Q(t)
I get ##P(x) =A\sin{(\lambda x)}+B\cos{(\lambda x)}##
##u(\pm\pi,t)=0## implies either (1) or (2);
(1) A=0 and ##\lambda=\frac{2n-1}{2}## so ##P(x)=B\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}##
(2) B=0 and ##\lambda=n## so ##P(x)=A\sin{(nx)}##
If (1) then ##Q(t)=C_n\sin{(\frac{2n-1}{2}ct+\phi)}## and ##u(x,t)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty b_n\sin{(\frac{2n-1}{2}ct+\phi)}\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}##
If (2) then ##Q(t)=C_n\sin{(nct+\phi)}## and ##u(x,t)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\sin{(nct+\phi)}\sin{(nx)}##
So i would be inclined to say the most general solution is linear combinations of (1) and (2);
##u(x,t)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\sin{(nct+\phi)}\sin{(nx)} + \sum_{n=1}^\infty b_n\sin{(\frac{2n-1}{2}ct+\phi)}\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}##

However this is what the solution says;
##u(x,t)=\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n\sin{(nx)}\sin{(nct+\phi)}+\sum_{n=1}^\infty b_n\cos{(\frac{2n-1}{2}x)}\sin{(nct+\phi)}##
I don't quite understand this solution because in one part of u(x,t) it has quantized lamda as integers (##\lambda=n##) and in another part it has quantized lamda as odd multiples divided by two (##\lambda=\frac{2n-1}{2}##). Its as if the solution has taken linear combinations of my (1) and (2) and let lambda equal different values. Are you allowed to do this?
 
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I see nothing wrong with your reasoning, so I suspect you found an error in the book solutions.
 

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