Math 212, Homework 4.

Problem 1. Using the superposition principle, solve the following initial value problem

utt − 4 uxx = x − t, u(0, x) = ex , ut (0, x) = x.

Problem 2. We consider the following PDE

9utt − 6utx + uxx = 0,

1. Factorizing the operator L[u] = 9utt − 6utx + uxx , find a solution to the given PDE.
2. Using an appropriate change of variable show that the solutions u have the form

u(t, x) = p(x + t/3)t + q (x + t/3) ,

with p and q arbitrary C2 functions.

3. Assume u(0, x) = f (x), and ut (0, x) = g(x), find a general formula for the solution u
to the IVP.
Problem 3. The goal of this exercise is to find radial solutions to the three dimensional
wave equation.
utt = c2 (uxx + u yy + uzz ), u := u(t, x, y, z).
We assume u(t, x, y, z) = v(t, r), with r = x2 + y2 + z2 .
p

1. Show that v satisfies the following PDE

2
 
vtt − c vrr + vr = 0.
2
r

2. Assuming v(0, r) = f (r), and vt (0, r) = g(r), find a general formula for v. Hint: Set
w = r v.
Problem 4. Assume u(t, x) is a smooth solution to the wave equation utt − c2 uxx = 0. Show
that
i) The translated function v(t, x) = u(t, x − λ) is a solution to the wave equation for every
λ ∈ R.
ii) The dilated function v(t, x) = u(λt, λx) is a solution to the wave equation for every
λ ∈ R.
iii) The derivatives v(t, x) = ux (t, x), and w(t, x) = ut (t, x) are solutions to the wave equa-
tion.
iv) The momentum density P(t, x) = ut ux is a solution to the wave equation.
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v) The energy density E(t, x) = ut + c2 u2x is a solution to the wave equation.
2