Partial Differential Equations Problem Sheet
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EkasPartial Differential Equations Problem Sheet
Uploaded by
EkasMA 201 (Part II), July-November, 2025 session
Partial Differential Equations
Problem Sheet - 3
Date of Discussion: October 27, 2025
D’Alembert’s solution, Fourier series
One-dimensional wave equation for a finite string
Lectures 8−12
1. Find D’Alembert’s solution of the one-dimensional wave equation with the following
initial conditions:
(i) u(x, 0) = sin x, ut (x, 0) = 0, (ii) u(x, 0) = sin x, ut (x, 0) = cos x.
2. A string stretching to infinity in both directions is given the initial displacement
1
ϕ(x) =
1 + 4x2
and released from rest. Find its subsequent motion as a function of x and t.
3. Find the Fourier series of the following functions:
(
−x, −π < x < 0,
(a) f (x) =
x, 0 < x < π.
(b) f (x) = | sin x|, −π < x < π.
4. Find the Fourier
( series expansion for the function f (x) as given:
0, −π < x < 0,
(a) f (x) =
x, 0 < x < π.
(b) f (x) is given by the line joining (−π, 0) and (0, 2) in (−π, 0) and by the line
f (x) = 2 in (0, π).
5. For the following functions, find the Fourier cosine series and the Fourier sine series on
the interval 0 < x < π:
(a) f (x) = π − x, (b) f (x) = x2 .
6. Given the Fourier series for the function f (x) = x4 , −π < x < π, as
∞
π 4 X 8(−1)n 2 2
x4 = + 4
(π n − 6) cos nx,
5 n=1
n
find the Fourier series for f (x) = x5 , −π < x < π.
1
7. Deduce the Fourier series for the function f (x) = eax , −π < x < π, where a is a real
number. Hence, find the values of the following four series:
∞ ∞
X (−1)n X (−1)n
(a) 2 + n2
, (b) 2 + n2
.
n=1
a n=−∞
a
8. Given the half-range sine series
∞
8 X sin(2n − 1)x
x(π − x) = , 0 < x < π,
π n=1 (2n − 1)3
∞
X
use Parseval’s theorem to deduce the value of the series 1/(2n − 1)6 .
n=1
9. The ends of a thin flexible string are fastened at x = 0 and x = L with the string lying
initially along the x-axis. If the string is set in motion by giving all points 0 < x < L
∂u
a constant transverse velocity ∂t
= u0 at t = 0, then find the subsequent motion of
the string.
10. A guitar string of length L = 1, is pulled in the middle so that it reaches a height h.
Assuming the initial position of the string as
(
2hx, 0 < x < 1/2,
u(x, 0) =
2h(1 − x), 1/2 ≤ x < 1,
what is the subsequent motion of the string if it is suddenly released?
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗∗
Practice Problems
The following problems will not be discussed in the tutorial class.
1. Find the(Fourier series expansion for the function f (x) as given:
−π/2, −π < x < 0,
f (x) =
π/2, 0 < x < π.
2. From Problem 7 above, evaluate the following series:
∞ ∞
X 1 X 1
(a) 2 + n2
, (b) 2 + n2
.
n=1
a n=−∞
a
3. Change the initial conditions in Problem 9 above to
(
x, 0 < x < L/2,
u(x, 0) =
(L − x), L/2 ≤ x < L.
and the string is released from rest at this position. Hence, find the displacement at
any subsequent time.
4. Find a solution of the wave equation utt = uxx ; 0 < x < π, t > 0, subject to the
following boundary and initial conditions:
u(0, t) = u(π, t) = 0, t > 0; u(x, 0) = πx − x2 , ut (x, 0) = 0, 0 < x < π.