Solve the given first order PDE

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a first-order partial differential equation (PDE) given by the equation ∂u/∂t + 10 ∂u/∂x + 9u = 0 with the initial condition u(x,0) = e^{-x}. Participants are exploring various methods to approach the solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of separation of variables and the method of characteristics. Some suggest checking the solution by substituting it back into the original PDE and initial condition. Others explore the implications of the linearity of the equation and the nature of the solutions, considering the initial condition's form.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of the solution, with participants offering different forms and expressions for u(x,t). Some have provided specific forms of the solution while others emphasize the importance of verifying the results against the original PDE. The discussion is ongoing with no explicit consensus reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of the initial condition and the linearity of the PDE. There is an acknowledgment of the potential variability in solutions depending on the form of the initial condition.

chwala
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Homework Statement
See attached. This question is set by me.
Relevant Equations
pde
Solve the given PDE for ##u(x,t)##;

##\dfrac{∂u}{∂t} +10 \dfrac{∂u}{∂x} + 9u = 0##

##u(x,0)= e^{-x}##

##-∞ <x<∞ , t>0##


In my lines i have,

##x_t = 10##

##x(t) = 10t+a##

##a = x(t) - 10t##

also,

##u(x(t),t)= u(x(0),0)e^{-9t}##

note this is from, integrating

##u_t[u(x(t),t] = -9u(x(t),t)## by use of separation of variables.

...

Therefore,

##u(x,t) = (e^{10t-x} ⋅e^{-9t})=e^{t-x}##

I hope i am getting the flow right... cheers.
 
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chwala said:
I hope i am getting the flow right... cheers.
The easiest way to check this is to insert your result in the original PDE and initial condition to verify that it is the solution.
 
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chwala said:
I hope i am getting the flow right...

Orodruin said:
The easiest way to check this is to insert your result in the original PDE and initial condition to verify that it is the solution.
@chwala, what Orodruin said above is something I've also said at least once. If you're working problems at this level it's both essential and easy to do this sanity check on your work. I usually start by making sure the initial condition is satisfied, since that's easy to do. Then I verify that my solution satisfies the original ODE or PDE.
 
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Since the equation is linear with constant coefficients, the solutions will be sums of exponentials. It makes sense, given the boundary condition, to try u(x,t) = T(t)e^{-x} with T(0) = 1. This yields <br /> e^{-x}\left( T&#039; - 10T + 9T\right) = 0 so that T&#039; - T = 0. Hence T(t) = e^{t} and <br /> u(x,t) = e^{t-x}.
 
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pasmith said:
Since the equation is linear with constant coefficients, the solutions will be sums of exponentials.
The general solution is
$$
e^{-9t} f(x - 10t)
$$
That the result is a simple exponential is a consequence of the particular initial condition also being an exponential. Had the initial condition been ##u(x,0) = x^3##, then the result would have been
$$
u(x,t) = e^{-9t} (x - 10t)^3
$$
I am not sure I would call that a sum of exponentials.
 
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Orodruin said:
The general solution is
$$
e^{-9t} f(x - 10t)
$$
That the result is a simple exponential is a consequence of the particular initial condition also being an exponential. Had the initial condition been ##u(x,0) = x^3##, then the result would have been
$$
u(x,t) = e^{-9t} (x - 10t)^3
$$
I am not sure I would call that a sum of exponentials.
...just looking at your perspective again...thanks

We have, ...

##u(x,t)= f(x-10t) e^{-9t}## as the general solution,

using initial condition, ##u(x,0) = f(x-10(0))⋅1=f(x)##

therefore, ##f(x)=e^{-x}##

##u(x,t)=e^-{x-10t} ⋅ e^{-9t}##

##u(x,t)=e^{-x+10t-9t}##

##u(x,t)=e^{-x+t}##
 

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