MHB Why can't $u$ achieve its maximum in the interior of $\Omega$?

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The discussion centers on a mathematical problem regarding the behavior of a nonconstant, nonnegative solution to the PDE $\Delta u = mu$ within a bounded domain $\Omega$ in $\Bbb R^2$. It asserts that such a solution cannot achieve its maximum value in the interior of $\Omega$, highlighting the implications of the maximum principle in PDEs. The announcement also notes a change in leadership for the Problem of the Week (POTW) initiative, with a new director taking over from Ackbach. Janssens provided a correct solution to this week's problem, which can be reviewed in the thread. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the properties of solutions to elliptic equations.
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In case users haven't read the announcement, Ackbach has stepped down as POTW director, and I'll be taking his place. Here is this week's POTW.

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Let $\Omega$ be a bounded domain in $\Bbb R^2$. Suppose $u$ is a nonconstant, nonnegative solution of the PDE $\Delta u = mu$ in $\Omega$ where $m : \Omega \to (0,\infty)$ is continuous. Prove that $u$ cannot achieve its maximum in the interior of $\Omega$.
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Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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This week's problem was solved correctly by Janssens. You can read his solution below.
Suppose $\mathbf{x}_0$ is an interior point of $\Omega$ such that $u_0 := u(\mathbf{x}_0) \ge u(\mathbf{x})$ for all $\mathbf{x} \in \Omega$. If $u_0 = 0$ then the nonnegativity of $u$ implies that $u$ is constantly zero in $\Omega$, which is a contradiction. So, we may assume that $u_0 > 0$ strictly. By the (single-variable) second derivative test, we have $D_i^2 u(\mathbf{x}_0) \le 0$ where $i = 1,2$ indicates the variable. This implies that
$$
\Delta u(\mathbf{x}_0) = D_1^2 u(\mathbf{x}_0) + D_2^2 u(\mathbf{x}_0) \le 0.
$$
On the other hand,
$$
\Delta u(\mathbf{x}_0) = m(\mathbf{x}_0) u_0 > 0,
$$
a contradiction. This shows that $\mathbf{x}_0$ does not exist, so $u$ does not achieve its maximum in the interior of $\Omega$.