Is the Laplace Equation with Initial Conditions Ill-Posed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the Laplace equation with initial conditions, specifically examining whether the problem is ill-posed. Participants explore the implications of the equation's characteristics, including the lack of boundary conditions and the behavior of solutions under varying parameters.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the Laplace equation and its initial conditions, noting the unique solution provided and questioning how to demonstrate that the problem is ill-posed.
  • Another participant outlines the criteria for a well-posed solution, emphasizing the need for continuous dependence on data and suggesting that discontinuities, such as those involving the function 1/tan(x), could indicate ill-posedness.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the application of the energy method and the necessity of demonstrating certain conditions, such as u(x,0)=0 and ||u||=k||f||.
  • Another participant critiques the reliance on previously stated conditions and encourages focusing on the definition of ill-posedness, specifically questioning the behavior of the solution as k approaches 0.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definition of well-posedness and the need to demonstrate that the solution does not continuously depend on the initial data. However, there is disagreement on the methods to be used and the specific steps required to show that the problem is ill-posed.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of various mathematical methods, such as the energy method and maximum principle, and the implications of the initial conditions provided. There are unresolved questions about the behavior of the solution as parameters change.

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The laplace equation whit initial conditions
u_tt + u_xx = 0 -oo<x<oo , t>0
u(x,0)=0
u_t(x,0)=f_k(x)
where f_k(x)=sin(kx), has the unique solution
u(x,t)=(1/k)sin(kx)sin(kt)
Show that the problem is ill posed.


I know that the equations is elliptic so i tried first whit the maximum principle but
this Partial differential equation has no boundary condition so i can use that principle.
The Fourier method requires a periodic boundary condition, but again there is no boundary condition in this PDE.
I then tried the energy method and i get this:
d||u(*,t)||^2/dt=d/dt (int (u(x,t)^2)) after some work i get (2k/tan(kx))||u(*,t)||^2 but how does this show that the problem is ill posed? am i doing it right? if not the how do i do? thanks :D
 
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A solution is well-posed if it satisfies

1. A solution exists
2. The solution is unique
3. The solution depends continuously on the data, in some reasonable topology.Otherwise it's ill posed. They tell you you have a unique solution, so you want to show the solution is not continuously dependent on the data. So, if you had something like, 1/tan(x), if tanx = 0, you have a discontinuity, and that would be a nice place to start
 
Office_Shredder said:
A solution is well-posed if it satisfies

1. A solution exists
2. The solution is unique
3. The solution depends continuously on the data, in some reasonable topology.


Otherwise it's ill posed. They tell you you have a unique solution, so you want to show the solution is not continuously dependent on the data. So, if you had something like, 1/tan(x), if tanx = 0, you have a discontinuity, and that would be a nice place to start

thx for the fast answer :), but i don't really understand. I'm using the energy method but i don't know if it is right to use it because everything gets very complicated and strange, and i think also that i must show that u(x,0)=0
and ||u||=k||f|| somehow? or don't i need to do this, the expression i get doenst show this :(
 
You talk about using the "energy principle" and earlier about the "maximum principle". Further you say "i think also that i must show that u(x,0)=0" when you are TOLD that this is true! The problem only asks you to show that the problem is "ill posed". Do what office-shredder said: use the definition of "ill-posed"! You are told that the solution exists, you are told that the solution is unique, so there is only one thing left. As Office Shredder told you "you want to show the solution is not continuously dependent on the data." What happens to your soluition as k goes to 0? Does this problem have a solution if k= 0?
 

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