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Lecture

Partial Differential Equations: Basics and Classification

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MATH-305: Introduction to partial differential equations

This is an introductory course on Elliptic Partial Differential Equations. The course will cover the theory of both classical and generalized (weak) solutions of elliptic PDEs. ...

Description

This lecture covers the basics of partial differential equations (PDEs), including notation, definitions, and classification. It explains the concepts of open, connected subsets, smooth functions, partial derivatives, and classical solutions. The classification of PDEs into linear, semi-linear, quasi-linear, and fully nonlinear is discussed, with a focus on linear second-order PDEs. Examples of PDEs such as Laplace's equation, transport equation, heat equation, wave equation, and p-Laplacian are presented. The lecture also explores domains with smooth boundaries, Gauss-Green formula, integration by parts, and Green's identities.

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Instructors (2)

Nicola De Nitti

Fabio Nobile

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Related concepts (30)

Partial differential equation

In mathematics, a partial differential equation (PDE) is an equation which computes a function between various partial derivatives of a multivariable function. The function is often thought of as an "unknown" to be solved for, similar to how x is thought of as an unknown number to be solved for in an algebraic equation like x2 − 3x + 2 = 0. However, it is usually impossible to write down explicit formulas for solutions of partial differential equations.

Elliptic partial differential equation

Second-order linear partial differential equations (PDEs) are classified as either elliptic, hyperbolic, or parabolic. Any second-order linear PDE in two variables can be written in the form where A, B, C, D, E, F, and G are functions of x and y and where , and similarly for . A PDE written in this form is elliptic if with this naming convention inspired by the equation for a planar ellipse.

Differential equation

In mathematics, a differential equation is an equation that relates one or more unknown functions and their derivatives. In applications, the functions generally represent physical quantities, the derivatives represent their rates of change, and the differential equation defines a relationship between the two. Such relations are common; therefore, differential equations play a prominent role in many disciplines including engineering, physics, economics, and biology.

Hyperbolic partial differential equation

In mathematics, a hyperbolic partial differential equation of order is a partial differential equation (PDE) that, roughly speaking, has a well-posed initial value problem for the first derivatives. More precisely, the Cauchy problem can be locally solved for arbitrary initial data along any non-characteristic hypersurface. Many of the equations of mechanics are hyperbolic, and so the study of hyperbolic equations is of substantial contemporary interest. The model hyperbolic equation is the wave equation.

Partial derivative

In mathematics, a partial derivative of a function of several variables is its derivative with respect to one of those variables, with the others held constant (as opposed to the total derivative, in which all variables are allowed to vary). Partial derivatives are used in vector calculus and differential geometry. The partial derivative of a function with respect to the variable is variously denoted by It can be thought of as the rate of change of the function in the -direction.

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