Solve for $a^2$ in $u_{xx} = u_{tt}$ using $u_1$ and $u_2$

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The discussion focuses on solving the equation $a^2 u_{xx} = u_{tt}$ using the functions $u_1(x, t) = \sin(\lambda x) \sin(\lambda at)$ and $u_2(x, t) = e^{-a^2 \lambda^2 t} \sin(\lambda x)$. It is established that both functions are valid solutions to the differential equation. The calculations confirm that $u_{xx} = -\lambda^2 \sin(\lambda x) \sin(a \lambda t)$ and $u_{tt} = -a^2 \lambda^2 \sin(\lambda x) \sin(a \lambda t)$, leading to the conclusion that $a^2 u_{xx} = u_{tt}$ holds true.

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karush
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Find $a^2 u_{xx} = u_{tt} $ if $\lambda$ a real number.
If
$u_1\left(x, t\right)=\sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({\lambda at}\right)$
And
$u_2 \left(x, t\right)={e}^{-a^2 \lambda ^2 t}\sin\left({\lambda x}\right)$

I didn't know how to deal with the $a^2$
 
Last edited:
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karush said:
Find $a^2 u_{xx} = u_{tt} $ if $\lambda$ a real number.
If
$u_1\left(x, t\right)=\sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({\lambda at}\right)$
And
$u_2 \left(x, t\right)={e}^{-a^2 \lambda ^2 t}\sin\left({\lambda x}\right)$

I didn't know how to deal with the $a^2$

What do you mean "find" this differential equation? Are you trying to solve it? Or are you trying to show that u1 and u2 are possible solutions?
 
Yes sorry
Are $u^1$ and $u^2$ possible solutions
On the calculator I got
$${u}_{xx}=-\lambda^2\sin\left({\lambda x}\right) $$
So $\alpha$ disappeared
 
Last edited:
karush said:
Yes sorry
Are $u^1$ and $u^2$ possible solutions
On the calculator I got
$${u}_{xx}=-\lambda^2\sin\left({\lambda x}\right) $$
So $\alpha$ disappeared

It can't disappear. The entire $\displaystyle \begin{align*} \sin{ \left( \lambda \, a\, t \right) } \end{align*}$ term is a constant when differentiating partially with respect to x.
 
Since $u_{xx}=-\lambda^2 \sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({a\lambda t}\right)$

and

$u_{tt}=-a^2 \lambda^2 \sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({a\lambda t}\right)$

Then $a^2 u_{xx}=u_{tt } $
I hope
 
karush said:
Since $u_{xx}=-\lambda^2 \sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({a\lambda t}\right)$

and

$u_{tt}=-a^2 \lambda^2 \sin\left({\lambda x}\right)\sin\left({a\lambda t}\right)$

Then $a^2 u_{xx}=u_{tt } $
I hope

Yes that is correct :)

Can you do the other part of the question?
 

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