What method can be used to solve this pde?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for solving a specific partial differential equation (PDE) represented by the integral $$I(a,b) = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-ax^{2}-\frac{b}{x^2}}$$. Participants explore various approaches, including differentiation under the integral sign, substitution, and integration by parts, as well as the implications of treating the PDE as an ordinary differential equation (ODE) under certain conditions.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in understanding the methods used by mathematical software to solve the PDE, particularly after deriving properties of the integral.
  • One participant suggests that the PDE can be treated as an ODE by fixing variables, leading to a transformation that simplifies the problem.
  • Another participant notes that while the equation $$I(a,b) = \frac{\partial^2 }{\partial a\, \partial b} I(a,b)$$ is valid, it may not uniquely determine the solution due to its symmetry and the original equation's asymmetry.
  • Participants discuss potential solutions involving forms like $$(Ae^a + Be^b)f(a + b)$$ and $$(Ae^a + Be^b)g(a-b)$$, with specific functions $f$ and $g$ satisfying certain differential equations.
  • There is a mention of the difficulty in reconstructing the original solution from the proposed forms, indicating a challenge in the approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the methods for solving the PDE. There are multiple competing views on how to approach the problem, with some suggesting transformations to ODEs and others questioning the completeness of the derived equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the equation derived from the integral may have extra solutions due to its symmetry, which does not align with the original PDE's characteristics. This introduces uncertainty regarding the uniqueness of the solutions.

MAGNIBORO
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hi, i know a little bit of ODE but not much about PDE,Some math programs give me the solution but I would like to know what methods they use.

The problem is the following:
$$I(a,b) = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-ax^{2}-\frac{b}{x^2}}$$

through differentiation under the integral sign, substitution and integration by parts, we can find this properties.

$$I(a,b) = -\sqrt{\frac{b}{a}}\, \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial b}I(a,b) \right )=-\frac{2a}{1+2\sqrt{ab}} \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial a} I(a,b)\right )$$

and the condition

$$I(a,0) = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{\frac{\pi }{a}}$$then using a softfware:

$$I(a,b) = -\sqrt{\frac{b}{a}}\, \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial b}I(a,b) \right )$$
$$I(a,b) = f(a)\, e^{-2\sqrt{ab}}$$

now with the other equation

$$I(a,b) = -\frac{2a}{1+2\sqrt{ab}} \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial a} I(a,b)\right )$$
$$I(a,b) = g(b)\, \frac{e^{-2\sqrt{ab}}}{\sqrt{a}}$$

comparing the 2 equations and considering the condition I(a,0) we get

$$I(a,b) = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2} \frac{e^{-2\sqrt{ab}}}{\sqrt{a}}$$To fully understand the development, I would like to know what methods use the program to solve the 2 pde
thanks.
 
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MAGNIBORO said:
I would like to know what methods use the program to solve the 2 pde
Having got to this:
##I(a,b) = -\sqrt{\frac{b}{a}}\, \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial b}I(a,b) \right )##
we can treat it as an ODE in Ia(b).
##I_a=-I_a'\sqrt{\frac ba}##
##\frac{dI_a}{I_a}=-\sqrt{\frac ab}db##
 
haruspex said:
Having got to this:
##I(a,b) = -\sqrt{\frac{b}{a}}\, \left ( \frac{\partial }{\partial b}I(a,b) \right )##
we can treat it as an ODE in Ia(b).
##I_a=-I_a'\sqrt{\frac ba}##
##\frac{dI_a}{I_a}=-\sqrt{\frac ab}db##
wow, if we suppose "fix variables" we can "transform" pde into ode, very impressive
 
MAGNIBORO said:
wow, if we suppose "fix variables" we can "transform" pde into ode, very impressive
PDEs are only significantly tougher than ODEs when derivatives wrt different independent variables occur in the same equation.
 
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haruspex said:
PDEs are only significantly tougher than ODEs when derivatives wrt different independent variables occur in the same equation.
ok, I find this quite useful To solve the "camouflaged pde".
the function ##I(a,b)## also satisfies the equation
$$I(a,b) = \frac{\partial^2 }{\partial a\, \partial b} I(a,b)$$
If I had tried to solve the problem by this equation, It would be a difficult problem or there is some method to solve it?
thanks
 
MAGNIBORO said:
ok, I find this quite useful To solve the "camouflaged pde".
the function ##I(a,b)## also satisfies the equation
$$I(a,b) = \frac{\partial^2 }{\partial a\, \partial b} I(a,b)$$
If I had tried to solve the problem by this equation, It would be a difficult problem or there is some method to solve it?
thanks
I think there should be a minus sign in there, but that's beside the point.
Although the equation is true, it is only one equation instead of two, so may well have extra solutions. Indeed, it is symmetric in a and b, whereas your original equation pair is not, and neither is the solution you already have.

I tried separation of variables... I did get solutions like ##k_ne^{\lambda_n a-b/\lambda_n}##, but it is not obvious how a sum of those with different parameters would recreate your original solution.
 
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One can obtain solutions of the form (Ae^a + Be^b)f(a + b) where f&#039;&#039; + f&#039; - f = 0 so that <br /> f(z) = Ce^{\frac12 z}\cosh\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}z\right) + De^{\frac12 z}\sinh\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}z\right)
or (Ae^a + Be^b)g(a-b) where g&#039;&#039; + g&#039; + g = 0 so that <br /> g(z) = Ce^{\frac12 z}\cos\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}z\right) + De^{\frac12 z}\sin\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}z\right).
 
pasmith said:
One can obtain solutions of the form (Ae^a + Be^b)f(a + b) where f&#039;&#039; + f&#039; - f = 0 so that <br /> f(z) = Ce^{\frac12 z}\cosh\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}z\right) + De^{\frac12 z}\sinh\left(\frac{\sqrt{5}}{2}z\right)
or (Ae^a + Be^b)g(a-b) where g&#039;&#039; + g&#039; + g = 0 so that <br /> g(z) = Ce^{\frac12 z}\cos\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}z\right) + De^{\frac12 z}\sin\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}z\right).

For what pde are this solutions?
 

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