Is the Equation EI(x,t)U''''(x,t) + M(x,t)V''(x,t) Separable?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the equation EI(x,t)U''''(x,t) + M(x,t)V''(x,t) and whether it is separable. Participants explore the nature of this partial differential equation (PDE), its linearity, and methods for solving it, including separation of variables.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the general solution of linear partial differential equations with variable coefficients.
  • Others express skepticism about the complexity of PDEs, suggesting that they are difficult to solve.
  • A participant attempts to apply the separation of variables principle to the equation, resulting in two ordinary differential equations (ODEs), but questions how to solve one of them.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the need for boundary or initial conditions to solve the PDE effectively.
  • There is a discussion about the linearity of the equation, with one participant asserting that it is linear due to the absence of powers or complicated functions of the dependent variables.
  • Another participant emphasizes that having two dependent variables requires two equations for a complete solution.
  • One participant suggests using computational tools like Mathematica to find solutions, noting that certain conditions may allow for power series solutions.
  • There is a request for clarification on the concept of "differential forms" and their applications, indicating a broader interest in related mathematical concepts.
  • A participant asks if the equation is separable and, if not, how it can be solved, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about the separability of the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the equation is separable. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the methods for solving the PDE and the implications of having two dependent variables.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of specifying boundary or initial conditions and the roles of variable coefficients in the equations, which may affect the solvability and methods applied.

omarxx84
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Can anyone help me to get the general solution of the linear partial differential equations with variable coefficients of any order?
 
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No one knows how to do that. PDEs are quite complicated.
 
can anyone help me to solve this ODE:
A(x)Y''''(x,t)+M(x)W''(x,t)=0
where: A(x) and M(x) are variable coefficients
Y''''(x,t) 4th derivative with respect to x.
w''(x,t) 2nd derivative with respect to t.
 
omarxx84 said:
can anyone help me to solve this ODE:
A(x)Y''''(x,t)+M(x)W''(x,t)=0
where: A(x) and M(x) are variable coefficients
Y''''(x,t) 4th derivative with respect to x.
w''(x,t) 2nd derivative with respect to t.

That is a PDE, not an ODE. What is A, what is M, what is Y, what is W? What are boundary/initial values? Unless you get specific, espcially regarding A and M, no one can help you.

jason
 
this PDE is correct. but when i use the separation of variables principle to solve this equation, the resulting two equations are ODEs, which may as follows:
A(x)Y''''(x,t)+M(x)Y''(x,t)=0 ...(1) (main equation)
PUT : Y=F(x)W(t) AND SUBSITITUTING IN THE ABOVE EQUATION AND SEPERATING THE VARIABLES, WE GET THE TWO ODEs AS FOLLOWS:
W''(t)-aW(t)=0 ...(2)
where: a is arbitrary constant. this may be solved easily.and the second ODE is:
{A(x)/M(x)}F''''(x)-aF(x)=0 ...(3)
this equation is linear ODE with variable coefficient.
in which: A(x) and M(x) are variable coefficients along x-axis.
a is arbitrary constant, from separation of variable process.
by solving equation(3) and compiling with the solution of equation(2), we will get the solution of equation(1). so, the problem is how we can solve the equation(3). boundary or initial conditions, i don't we need now to solve equation(3).
 
omarxx84 said:
can anyone help me to solve this ODE:
A(x)Y''''(x,t)+M(x)W''(x,t)=0
where: A(x) and M(x) are variable coefficients
Y''''(x,t) 4th derivative with respect to x.
w''(x,t) 2nd derivative with respect to t.
A(x)\frac{\partial^4 Y}{\partial x^4}+ M(x)\frac{\partial^2M}{\partial t^2}= 0
Not only do you have two independent variables, x and t, you have two dependent variables, Y and M. One equation is not sufficient to solve for two unknown functions.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
omarxx84 said:
this PDE is correct. but when i use the separation of variables principle to solve this equation, the resulting two equations are ODEs, which may as follows:
A(x)Y''''(x,t)+M(x)Y''(x,t)=0 ...(1) (main equation)
PUT : Y=F(x)W(t) AND SUBSITITUTING IN THE ABOVE EQUATION AND SEPERATING THE VARIABLES, WE GET THE TWO ODEs AS FOLLOWS:
W''(t)-aW(t)=0 ...(2)
where: a is arbitrary constant. this may be solved easily.and the second ODE is:
{A(x)/M(x)}F''''(x)-aF(x)=0 ...(3)
this equation is linear ODE with variable coefficient.
in which: A(x) and M(x) are variable coefficients along x-axis.
a is arbitrary constant, from separation of variable process.
by solving equation(3) and compiling with the solution of equation(2), we will get the solution of equation(1). so, the problem is how we can solve the equation(3). boundary or initial conditions, i don't we need now to solve equation(3).

What you seemed to want was:

A(x)\frac{\partial^4 Y}{\partial x^4}+M(x)\frac{\partial^2 Y}{\partial t^2}=0

and by letting Y(x,t)=F(x)W(t) and separation constant equal to a, you get one ODE in t and another ODE in x. You then want to know how to solve the ODE in x:

\frac{d^4 F}{dx^4}=b(x)F

where b(x)=\frac{aM(x)}{A(x)}

Here's what I'd do with this and every other problem like it: First just try it in Mathematica or Wolfram Alpha:

DSolve[y''''[x] == b[x] y[x], y, x]

who knows, might get an answer and then that answer could conceivably help you derive an analytical method to obtain it. However in this case, Mathematica can't come up with one. Doesn't mean some nice method can't find it but rather, just Mathematica. However if A(x) is a constant and M(x) is a polynomial, then looks like you could solve it via simple power series. Additionally if b(x) is analytic with power series b(x)=\sum c_n x^n you could still conceivably solve it via power series but would need to form the Cauchy Product of the resulting series product. For example, the equation y''''-e^x y=0 is not too hard to solve this way for say x in (0,1). See "Intermediate Differential Equations" by Rainville for a (simple) example.
 
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i want to ask. what are the "differential forms"? and what are the distinct applications?
 
Hi colleages. can you help me to solve the cubic equation below:
2N(Ep-En)hp^3(x)-3[M(x,t)(Ep-En)-2NEnh]hp^2(x)-6Enh[M(x,t)+Nh]hp(x)+Enh^2[3M(x,t)+2Nh]=0 notice that all variables in the equation are dependent on x only, except M is dependent on x and t.
En, Ep, N and h are constants.
i know the solution when the equation dependent on one variable, but the problem is that M dependent on two variables x and t.
please help me and i will be very grateful for you...
 
  • #10
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME A GUIDANCE TO SOLVE THE EQUATION BELOW:

EI(x,t)U''''(x,t)+M(x,t)V''(x,t)=0
where
U''''=4th partial derivative with respect to x only.
V''=2nd partial derivative with respect to t only.
 
  • #11
please, my colleages, can tell me is the equation below is linear or nonlinear PDE?
EI(x,t)U''''(x,t)+M(x,t)V''(x,t)=0
U''''=4th partial derivative with respect to x only.
V''=2nd partial derivative with respect to t only.
 
  • #12
Since you have no powers or more complicated functions of the dependent variables U and V, that is a linear equations. However, I will say once more- if you have two dependent variables to solve for, you will need two equations.
 
  • #13
However, I will say once more- if you have two dependent variables to solve for, you will need two equations.

So what about the equation I asked about in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=410984 , which is

\Deltau(x,y) = u(x,y)*f(x,y)

Does this fall into the same category? It seems to me that there is only one unknown equation with two variables, however, does this count as two equations if f is separable?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
Thank you very much. but is the equation ( EI(x,t)U''''(x,t)+M(x,t)V''(x,t)=0 )separable or not?How?if it isnot separable how can be solved?
 

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