In a course on partial differential equations I came through this theorem about the general solution

garcialdaria2zky1

garcialdaria2zky1

Answered question

2022-05-13

In a course on partial differential equations I came through this theorem about the general solution of a first order quasi-linear partial differential equation.
1. The general solution of a first-order, quasi-linear partial differential equation
a ( x , y , u ) u x + b ( x , y , u ) u y = c ( x , y , u )
is given by f ( ϕ , ψ ) = 0, where f is an arbitrary function of ϕ ( x , y , u ) and ψ ( x , y , u ) ..
2. ϕ = C 1 and ψ = C 2 are solution curves of the characteristic equations
d x a = d y b = d u c .
Is there any geometric interpretation of both these points so that I can have a better intuitive understanding of the graphical representation of f, ϕ and ψ ?

Answer & Explanation

Kosyging1j7u

Kosyging1j7u

Beginner2022-05-14Added 16 answers

As per usual set-up, we are looking at R 3 coordinates ( x , y , z ) for surfaces z ( x , y ) = u ( x , y ). Geometrically the PDE says the vector field v ( x , y , z ) = ( a ( x , y , u ( x , y ) ) , b ( x , y , u ( x , y ) ) , c ( x , y , u ( x , y ) ) ) is orthogonal to ( u x ( x , y , u ( x , y ) ) , u y ( x , y , u ( x , y ) ) , 1 ).
The level sets of ϕ (and similarly ψ) are therefore integral surfaces of the vector field v in R 3 from d x a = d y b = d u c . We want ϕ and ψ to have the property that ϕ = C 1 intersect ψ = C 2 transversely for C 1 , C 2 R .
Now f ( v , w ) = 0 is (assuming regularity conditions) a smooth curve in v w-plane. So f ( ϕ , ψ ) = 0 defines a smooth union of characteristic curves, so is also an integral surface of v .

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