# Homework Help: PDE Question

1. Mar 8, 2012

### ZedCar

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I'm just trying to get an understanding of answering PDEs, so wanted to ask what you thought of my answer to this question.

The one-dimensional wave equation is given by the first equation shown in this link;

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/WaveEquation1-Dimensional.html

where Ψ = f(x, t)

Is f(x, t) = exp(x-ivt) a possible solution?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

∂^2 f/∂x^2 = exp(x-ivt)

and

∂f/∂t = -iv exp(x-ivt)

Possible if v = -i

Last edited: Mar 8, 2012
2. Mar 8, 2012

### Ray Vickson

You need to compute $\partial^2 f/\partial t^2, \text{ not just } \partial f/\partial t.$ Anyway: what is "c"? The PDE does not have "c" in it, nor does your f.

RGV

3. Mar 8, 2012

### ZedCar

Sorry, c should have been v. I've corrected it now.

4. Mar 8, 2012

### ZedCar

So when I obtain the 2nd partial differentiation for 't' I obtain;

-v^2 exp(x-ivt)

So I assume this is not a possible solution since

exp(x-ivt) ≠ -exp(x-ivt)

Share this great discussion with others via Reddit, Google+, Twitter, or Facebook