Solve the Partial differential equation ##U_{xy}=0##

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the partial differential equation \( U_{xy} = 0 \) by treating \( U_x \) as an ordinary differential equation (ODE) in the \( y \) variable. The integration process involves integrating both sides with respect to \( y \), leading to the conclusion that \( U_x = f(x) \), where \( f(x) \) is an arbitrary function of \( x \). Further integration yields \( U(x,y) = F(x) + H(y) \), confirming that the solution can be expressed as a sum of functions dependent on \( x \) and \( y \) separately. The discussion also touches on the method of characteristics as an alternative approach to solving the equation.

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chwala
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TL;DR
I am going through these notes; i want to check that i am gettting it right...

Solve the pde;

##U_{xy}=0##
This is part of the notes;

1670243380258.png


My own way of thought;

Given;

##U_{xy}=0##

then considering ##U_x## as on ode in the ##y## variable; we integrate both sides with respect to ##y## i.e

##\dfrac{du}{dx} \int \dfrac{1}{dy} dy=\int 0 dy##

this is the part i need insight...the original problem involves partial derivatives but in this case when we integrate with respect to ##y## we are integrating with respect to ##dy## and not ##∂y## ...correct?

##U_x= 0 + k##, where ##k## is a constant in terms of ##x## therefore,

##U_x= f(x)##, an arbitrary function of ##x##... which is an ode for ##u## in the ##x## variable. On integrating again with respect to ##x## we get,##U(x,y) = F(x) + k##, where ##k## is a constant in terms of ##y## therefore,

##U(x,y) = F(x) + H(y)##cheers!
 
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I interpret you as follows.
\frac{\partial^2 U(x,y)}{\partial x \partial y}=0
Integration by y with x=const. or by x with y=const.
\frac{\partial U}{\partial x }=f(x)
\frac{\partial U}{\partial y }=g(y)
Thus
dU=f(x)dx+g(y)dy
U(x,y)=F(x)+G(y)
 
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anuttarasammyak said:
I interpret you as follows.
\frac{\partial^2 U(x,y)}{\partial x \partial y}=0
Integration by y with x=const. or by x with y=const.
\frac{\partial U}{\partial x }=f(x)
\frac{\partial U}{\partial y }=g(y)
Thus
dU=f(x)dx+g(y)dy
U(x,y)=F(x)+G(y)
Is there another way bro? ...they call it method of characteristic ...need to read on this...
 
chwala said:
Given;
##U_{xy}=0##

then considering ##U_x## as on ode in the ##y## variable; we integrate both sides with respect to ##y## i.e

##\dfrac{du}{dx} \int \dfrac{1}{dy} dy=\int 0 dy##
The above doesn't make any sense to me. Clearly the last integral would be 0 + a constant.
chwala said:
this is the part i need insight...the original problem involves partial derivatives but in this case when we integrate with respect to ##y## we are integrating with respect to ##dy## and not ##∂y## ...correct?
The expression ##dy## serves only to indicate the variable with respect to which integration is taking place. You are integrating with respect to y, not dy, and definitely not with respect to ∂y.
 
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