Samrath Matta Math3032

Assignment Homework04 due 03/17/2026 at 11:59pm EDT

We can ignore this case.

1. (1 point) In your answers below, for the variable λ type
the word lambda, for γ type the word gamma; otherwise treat • Case 2: λ = −γ2 (In your answers below use gamma
these as you would any other variable. instead of lambda)

We will solve the heat equation X(x) =

ut = 2 uxx , 0 < x < 8, t ≥0 Plugging the boundary values into this formula gives
with boundary/initial conditions:
0 = X(0) =
(
u(0,t) = 0, 2, 0 < x ≤ 4
and u(x, 0) = 0 = X(8) =
u(8,t) = 0, 0, 4 < x < 8
This models temperature in a thin rod of length L = 8 with So X(x) = which means u(x,t) =
thermal diffusivity α = 2 where the temperature at the ends is
fixed at 0 and the initial temperature distribution is u(x, 0). We can ingore this case.

For extra practice we will solve this problem from scratch. • Case 3: λ = γ2 (In your answers below use gamma
Separate Variables. instead of lambda)
Assume u(x,t) = X(x) T (t) and split the PDE into two differ-
ential equations, one with X and one with T . X(x) =
= = −λ
(Notation: Write X” and T ’ for derivatives. Place all constants Plugging in the boundary values into this formula
in the differential equation with T). gives
• DE for X(x): =0
Boundary conditions for X(x): 0 = X(0) =

0 = X(8) =

Which leads us to the eigenvalues γn =

(Enter boundary equations: e.g. ”X 0 (0) = 10”) and eigenfunctions Xn (x) =

• DE for T (t): =0 (Notation: Eigenfunctions should not include any

constants a or b.)
Find Eigenfunctions for X(x).
The problem splits into cases based on the sign of λ.
(Notation: For the cases below, use constants a and b) Solve for T (t).
• Case 1: λ = 0 Plug the eigenvalues λn = γ2n from Case 3 into the differential
equation for T (t) and solve:
X(x) =
Tn (t) =
Plugging the boundary values into this formula gives
(Notation: use c for the unknown constant.)
0 = X(0) = Combining all of the Xn and Tn we get that
∞
0 = X(8) = u(x,t) = ∑ Bn
n=1
So X(x) = which means u(x,t) = where Bn are unknown constants.
Fourier Coefficients.
1
 We compute Bn by plugging t = 0 into the formula for u(x,t) ∂2 u ∂2 u
• B. α2 = 2 , 0 < x < L, t > 0
and setting equal to the initial heat distribution given in the ∂x2 ∂t
problem. ∂2 u ∂2 u
• C. 2 + 2 = 0, 0 < x < a, 0 < y < b
∞
( ∂x ∂y
2, 0 < x ≤ 4
u(x, 0) = ∑ Bn =
n=1 0, 4 < x < 8
So the Bn are Fourier coefficients. Boundary/Initial Conditions
Z 4
2 u(0,t) = 0 u(L,t) = 0, t >0
Bn = dx
8 0
∂u
= u(x, 0) = f (x), = 0, 0 < x < L
• A. ∂t
Remember that cos(nπ) = (−1)n . t=0
Correct Answers:
• X’’/X = T’/(2*T) = \(-\lambda\)
• X’’+lambda*X u(0,t) = 0 u(L,t) = 0, t >0
• X(0)=0 u(x, 0) = f (x), 0<x<L
• X(8)=0 • B.
• T’+2*lambda*T
• <table border=’0’ cellspacing=’0’ style=’margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;’>
<tr><td>\(X(x) = \) a+b*x</td></tr>
<tr><td>\(X(0) = \) a</td></tr>
∂u ∂u
= 0, = 0, 0<y<b
<tr><td>\(X(8) = \) a+b*8</td></tr> ∂x ∂x
x=0 x=a
</table> • C. u(x, 0) = 0, u(x, b) = f (x), 0 < x < a
• 0
• 0
• <table border=’0’ cellspacing=’0’ style=’margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;’>
<tr><td>\(X(x) = \) a*eˆ(gamma*x)+b*eˆ(-gamma*x)</td></tr>
Correct Answers:
<tr><td>\(X(0) = \) a+b</td></tr>
• B
<tr><td>\(X(8) = \) a*eˆ(gamma*8)+b*eˆ(-gamma*8)</td></tr>
</table> • A
• 0
• 0 3. (1 point) Solve the wave equation with fixed endpoints
• <table border=’0’ cellspacing=’0’ style=’margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;’>
and the given initial displacement and velocity.
<tr><td>\(X(x) = \) a*cos(gamma*x)+b*sin(gamma*x)</td></tr>
<tr><td>\(X(0) = \) a</td></tr> ∂2 u ∂2 u
a2 2 = 2 , 0 < x < L,t > 0
<tr><td>\(X(8) = \) a*cos(gamma*8)+b*sin(gamma*8)</td></tr>
∂x ∂t
</table>
• n*pi/8 u(0,t) = 0, u(L,t) = 0,t > 0
• sin(n*pi*x/8) (
• c*eˆ[-2*(n*pi/8)ˆ2*t] 0, 0 < x < L2
• eˆ[-2*(n*pi/8)ˆ2*t]*sin(n*pi*x/8) u(x, 0) =
1, L2 < x < L
• sin(n*pi*x/8)
• 2*sin(n*pi*x/8) ∂u
• -4/(n*pi)*[cos(n*pi/2)-1] = x(L − x) , 0 < x < L
∂t
t=0
Now we can solve the PDE using the series solution u(x,t) =
2. (1 point) The ends of a string of length L are secured at ∞   nπa   nπa   nπ 
both ends. The string is released from rest with initial displace- ∑ A n cos t + Bn sin t sin x . The coeffi-
ment f (x) = x(L − x). n=1 L L L
Choose the PDE and boundary/initial conditions that model this cients An and Bn are Fourier coefficients we have computed
scenario. many times:

Partial Differential Equation An example:

Z
An = ————- dx
∂2 u ∂u
• A. k = , 0 < x < L, t >0
∂x2 ∂t
2
 • L/2
= • L
= • sin(n*pi*x/L)
• -2/(n*pi)*cos(n*pi*x/L)
• L/2
• L
• 2*[cos(n*pi/2)-cos(n*pi)]/(n*pi)
Z • n*pi*a
Bn = ————– dx = • 2
• 0
Correct Answers: • L
• L • x*(L-x)*sin(n*pi*x/L)
• 2 • -4*Lˆ3*[-1+(-1)ˆn]/(a*nˆ4*piˆ4)

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