BML Munjal University Gurgaon

Differential Equations for Engineers

 Practice Problems #4

Q1. Classify the following equations (i.e. state whether they are linear, quasi-linear or fully
nonlinear):
(i) ut +aux = 0 (Transport equation), (ii) uux +uy = 0 (Inviscid Burgers equation),
(iii) ♣ p2 + q 2 = 2xy, (iv) ut + xux = 0, (v) ut + aux = u2 ,
(vi) xut + ux = u, (vii) ut = u3 uxxx ((Dym equation).
Q2. ♣ Find the first order PDE whose solution is the given function (or surface) z(x, y):
(a) The family of all spheres in R3 whose centres lie on the z−axis with radius a, i.e.,
x2 + y 2 + (z − c)2 − a2 = 0.
(b) The family of all right circular cones with vertex at (0, 0, c), whose axes coincides the
z−axis with inclination θ, i.e., (x2 + y 2 ) cos 2θ − (z − c)2 sin 2θ = 0. Compare the PDE
obtained with the one obtained in (a). Further, show that any surface z(x, y) = f (x2 + y 2 )
satisfies the same PDE as obtained in (a).
Q3. In the following, by elimination of the arbitrary function F , find a first order p.d.e. satisfied
by z:   √
(i) z = xy + F (x2 + y 2 ), (ii) z = F xy , (iii) ♣ F (x + y, x − z) = 0.

Q4. In the following, find a solution containing arbitrary function:

(i) xp + yq = z, (ii) ♣ yzp + xzq = xy.
Q5. Find the integral surface of xp + yq = z which contains Γ : x0 = s2 , y0 = s + 1, z0 = s.
Q6. ♣ Find the characteristic curves of 2p+3q+8z = 0 and solve the Cauchy problem containing
the given curve:
(a) Γ : z = x2 on the line 2y = 1 + 3x,
(b) Γ : z = e−4x on the line 2y = 3x.
Q7. Determine the domain in which the following partial differential equations can be classified
as either elliptic or parabolic or hyperbolic:
(i) ♣ uyy − xuxy + yux + xuy = 0
(ii) y 2 uxx − 2xyuxy + x2 uyy = 0
(iii) uxx + 2xuxy + (1 − y 2 )uyy = 0
Q8. Reduce the following equations to canonical form:
(i) uxx − x2 yuyy = 0, (y > 0)
2x
(ii) ♣ e uxx + 2e x+y uxy + e2y uyy = 0
2 2
(iii) x uxx + y uyy = 0, (x > 0, y > 0)
(iv) ♣ uxx + 2uxy + 5uyy = xux .
Q9. Reduce the√following equations to canonical forms and hence find solutions:
(i) uxx + 2 3uxy + uyy = 0
(ii) ♣ x2 uxx − 2xyuxy + y 2 uyy + xux + yuy = 0
(iii) ♣ uxx − 2 sin xuxy − cosx uyy − cos xuy = 0.