Separation of variables in MATLAB

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of applying separation of variables to complex partial differential equations (PDEs) using MATLAB or similar computational software. Participants explore the limitations of separation of variables and discuss alternative methods for solving difficult PDEs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about the applicability of separation of variables to certain PDEs, noting that not all PDEs are separable.
  • One participant mentions the existence of various emerging methods for simplifying complex PDEs, including matrix representations and linear algebra techniques.
  • A participant shares a specific PDE and describes their attempts to separate variables, highlighting difficulties with a particular term, 1/RY.
  • Another participant questions the validity of treating the term r^2/RY = 0, suggesting that it may not be appropriate to extract it as a separate term.
  • There is a suggestion that the original PDE should be examined more closely to determine if separation of variables is a viable approach.
  • Some participants reference literature databases and specific methods, such as boundary layer rescaling, but acknowledge that no single method works for all PDEs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that separation of variables may not be applicable to all PDEs, but multiple competing views remain regarding the methods available for solving complex PDEs and the specific challenges presented by the discussed equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the physical meaning of the PDE and the implications of certain terms, indicating that assumptions about the behavior of the variables may affect the validity of their approaches.

SeM
Hello, I haven't found any program that can be used to perform separation of variables on difficult PDEs. Is there such a method somewhere?
 
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Programs can numerically solve PDEs. Separation of variables is a trick that you can use to solve some types of PDEs on paper.
 
Hi, I wish it was so easy. If you see on literature database, there are several emerging methods for simplifying very complex PDEs using matrix reps, linear algebra and other approaches . I was wondering if anyone has the knowledge on how to to do some, or any other methods using MATLAB Or computational math software.

Thanks for the answer anyway!
 
NFuller said:
Programs can numerically solve PDEs. Separation of variables is a trick that you can use to solve some types of PDEs on paper.
This is the one I wanted to simplify further, but I suspect it is not possible:

$$ r^2 \frac{1}{R}\frac{\partial^2 R}{\partial r^2} - (r+2i r^2) \frac{1}{R}\frac{\partial R}{\partial r} - \frac{r^2}{RY} = \frac{1}{Y} \frac{\partial^2 Y}{\partial \theta^2}+2ir \frac{1}{Y}\frac{\partial Y}{\partial \theta}$$

I have already done separation of variables, and can't get rid of the 1/RY term.
 
SeM said:
I have already done separation of variables, and can't get rid of the 1/RY term.
Not all PDEs are separable, if you can't do it then a program can't do it either. Where does this PDE come from? There may already be special methods for solving it.
SeM said:
Hi, I wish it was so easy. If you see on literature database, there are several emerging methods for simplifying very complex PDEs using matrix reps, linear algebra and other approaches
What database? There are various methods for dealing with certain classes of PDEs, boundary layer rescaling comes to my mind, but no method works for everything.
 
It comes from a system I have solved and writing about. But I am not sure it makes physical meaning, and in order to find that out I need to solve it, and find out what that 1/RY factor does and can be trated.

I divided this into three components:

The first tw dR/dr parts as one ODE equal zero.

The strange term r^2/RY = 0

and the right hand side of the equation equal to zero. I have solved the former and the latter, but the central term, r^2/RY = 0 is not an ODE, so I am not sure its valid to extract that as an own term and treat the rest as two ODEs..

Is this OK as a method?
 
NFuller said:
Not all PDEs are separable, if you can't do it then a program can't do it either. Where does this PDE come from? There may already be special methods for solving it.

What database? There are various methods for dealing with certain classes of PDEs, boundary layer rescaling comes to my mind, but no method works for everything.
scholar.google.com
 
SeM said:
The strange term r^2/RY = 0
How do you know this is zero? This implies that either ##r## is zero or the denominator goes to infinity.
SeM said:
Is this OK as a method?
It would help to see the original PDE before you attempt separation of variables. The fact that you are having trouble likely means that separation of variables will not work here i.e. the solution cannot be written as the product of two functions with only ##r## and ##\theta## dependence.
 
Hi Nfueller, I don't. I was trying to find a way to work around it, as r can be zero.
The whole PDE is:$$ r^2 \frac{1}{R}\frac{\partial^2 R}{\partial r^2} - (r+2i r^2) \frac{1}{R}\frac{\partial R}{\partial r} - \frac{r^2}{RY} = \frac{1}{Y} \frac{\partial^2 Y}{\partial \theta^2}+2ir \frac{1}{Y}\frac{\partial Y}{\partial \theta}$$
 

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