Math 212, Homework 8.

Problem 1. The goal of this problem is to show that there exists a unique solution to
the heat equation 


 ut = uxx , t > 0, 0 < x < `
u(t, 0) = u(t, `) = 0



= f (x).

u(0, x)

R`
Let E(t) = 0 u(t, x)2 dx, with u solution to the heat equation.

1. Show that E(t) is decreasing.

2. Deduce that if f = 0 then E(t) = 0 for every t then conclude that u = 0 is the unique
solution in this case.

3. Conclude that if u1 and u2 are smooth solutions to the given heat equation (for
general f ) then u1 = u2 .

Problem 2. Let u(x, y) be a harmonic function in R2 i.e. u is a solution to the Laplacian

equation
uxx + u yy = 0.

1. Let w(r, s) = u(r2 − s2 , 2rs). Show that

wrr + wss = 0.

2. Let v(r, θ) = u(r cos θ, r sin θ). Show that

1 1
vrr + vr + 2 vθθ = 0.
r r

Problem 3. Let
 
1
 0≤x≤1 x
 0≤x≤1
f (x) =  , g(x) = 
 
2 − x
 1≤x≤2 1
 1 ≤ x ≤ 2.

Solve the following wave initial boundary value problem





 utt = uxx t > 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2
ux (t, 0) = ux (t, 2) = 0



= f (x)




 u(0, x)
= g(x).

ut (0, x)


1
Problem 4. Solve the following Laplacian initial boundary value problem




 uxx + u yy = 0 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1
u(x, 0) = 2 − cos 3πx


 0≤x≤1
u(x, 1) = sin πx
2




 0≤x≤1
ux (0, y) = ux (1, y) = 0 0 < y < 1.



Problem 5. Use the separation of variables to solve in terms of f the Helmholtz boundary
value problem 



uxx + u yy = u 1 < x, y < 1
u(x, 0) = 0


 0≤x≤1
u(x, 1) = f (x) 0≤x<1





u(0, y) = u(1, y) = 0

 0 ≤ y ≤ 1,
Problem 6. Consider the following heat equation with non homogeneous boundary
condition 
ut


 = uxx t > 0, 0 ≤ x ≤ `
u(t, 0) = α


.

`) = β




 u(t,
ut (0, x) = x(x − `)



1. Find uE the equilibrium solution of the given initial boundary value problem.

2. Let v = u − uE . Write and solve the initial boundary value problem for v.

3. Conclude the solution u.

Problem 7. Consider the minimal surface PDE

(1 + u2y ) uxx − 2ux u y uxy + (1 + u2x ) u yy = 0, −π/2 < x, y < π/2

We are interested in a solution of the form u(x, y) = F(x) − F(y), with F(0) = 1, F0 (0) = 0.

1. Show that F must satisfy the following ODE

F00 − λ((F0 )2 + 1) = 0 F(0) = 1, F0 (0) = 0 (∗),

with λ constant.

2. Solve the ODE (∗) when λ = 0, and deduce a solution u(x, y).
cos λy
!
1
3. Solve (∗) when λ , 0 and conclude that u(x, y) = ln is a solution to the
λ cos λx
minimal surface PDE.
NB: We recovered the solution of homework 1 Problem 3.