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Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject : Maths 
Lesson : Method of Separation of Variables 
Lesson Developer : Chaman Singh 
College/Department : Acharya Narendra Dev College , 
University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 2


Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject : Maths 
Lesson : Method of Separation of Variables 
Lesson Developer : Chaman Singh 
College/Department : Acharya Narendra Dev College , 
University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents: 
 Chapter : Method of Separation of Variables 
? 1. Learning Outcomes 
? 2. Introduction 
? 3. Separation of Variables 
? 4. The Vibrating String Problem 
? 5. Solution of the vibrating string problem 
? 5.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 6. The Heat Conduction Problem 
? 7. Solution of the heat conduction problem 
? 7.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 8. Non-homogeneous Problems 
? Summary 
? Exercises 
? Glossary 
? References/ Further Reading 
 
1. Learning Outcomes: 
 
After reading this chapter, the learner should be able to understand the 
followings: 
 
? Method of separation of variables to study the solutions of various 
partial differential equations encountered in physical applications 
in which the domain of interest are finite. 
? Use of Separations of Variable Method to solve the problem of a 
vibrating string of finite length l. 
? Solution of the heat conduction problem. 
? Solution of Non-homogeneous problems. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 3


Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject : Maths 
Lesson : Method of Separation of Variables 
Lesson Developer : Chaman Singh 
College/Department : Acharya Narendra Dev College , 
University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents: 
 Chapter : Method of Separation of Variables 
? 1. Learning Outcomes 
? 2. Introduction 
? 3. Separation of Variables 
? 4. The Vibrating String Problem 
? 5. Solution of the vibrating string problem 
? 5.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 6. The Heat Conduction Problem 
? 7. Solution of the heat conduction problem 
? 7.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 8. Non-homogeneous Problems 
? Summary 
? Exercises 
? Glossary 
? References/ Further Reading 
 
1. Learning Outcomes: 
 
After reading this chapter, the learner should be able to understand the 
followings: 
 
? Method of separation of variables to study the solutions of various 
partial differential equations encountered in physical applications 
in which the domain of interest are finite. 
? Use of Separations of Variable Method to solve the problem of a 
vibrating string of finite length l. 
? Solution of the heat conduction problem. 
? Solution of Non-homogeneous problems. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Introduction: 
 
The techniques we have used to solve the PDEs of first order and second 
order with variable and constant coefficients so far, seems to have certain 
limitations in the sense that the solution obtained in terms of arbitrary 
functions either fail to be particularised for physical/engineering problems 
of interest or the algebra becomes quite involved. 
In this chapter, a powerful technique is studied to solve the various partial 
differential equations encountered in physical applications in which the 
domain of interest are finite. In particular, we shall study the boundary 
and initial conditions needed to specify the unique solutions of their 
respective one-dimensional unsteady or two – dimensional steady 
version. The basic philosophy of the method is to reduced the single linear 
PDE into two or more (depending on the dimensions of the problem) 
ODEs, each involving only one of the independent variables. 
 
3. Method of Separation of Variables: 
 
Here, we will describe the method of separation of variables to solve the 
second order initial boundary value problems with variable and constant 
coefficients separately. 
 
Case I: 
 
Let us a take the second order homogenous partial differential equation 
 0,
uu uv vv u v
Az Bz Cz Dz Ez Fz ? ? ? ? ? ?                                         (1) 
where , , , A B C D and F are functions of u  and v . 
by considering the transformation, 
 ( , ), ( , ) x x u v y y u v ??                                                                (2) 
where 
( , )
0
( , )
xy
uv
?
?
?
.  
equation (1) can be transformed into standard/ canonical form  
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , , , , , 0,
xx yy x y
a x y z c x y z d x y z e x y z f x y z ? ? ? ? ?                   (3) 
Page 4


Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject : Maths 
Lesson : Method of Separation of Variables 
Lesson Developer : Chaman Singh 
College/Department : Acharya Narendra Dev College , 
University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents: 
 Chapter : Method of Separation of Variables 
? 1. Learning Outcomes 
? 2. Introduction 
? 3. Separation of Variables 
? 4. The Vibrating String Problem 
? 5. Solution of the vibrating string problem 
? 5.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 6. The Heat Conduction Problem 
? 7. Solution of the heat conduction problem 
? 7.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 8. Non-homogeneous Problems 
? Summary 
? Exercises 
? Glossary 
? References/ Further Reading 
 
1. Learning Outcomes: 
 
After reading this chapter, the learner should be able to understand the 
followings: 
 
? Method of separation of variables to study the solutions of various 
partial differential equations encountered in physical applications 
in which the domain of interest are finite. 
? Use of Separations of Variable Method to solve the problem of a 
vibrating string of finite length l. 
? Solution of the heat conduction problem. 
? Solution of Non-homogeneous problems. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Introduction: 
 
The techniques we have used to solve the PDEs of first order and second 
order with variable and constant coefficients so far, seems to have certain 
limitations in the sense that the solution obtained in terms of arbitrary 
functions either fail to be particularised for physical/engineering problems 
of interest or the algebra becomes quite involved. 
In this chapter, a powerful technique is studied to solve the various partial 
differential equations encountered in physical applications in which the 
domain of interest are finite. In particular, we shall study the boundary 
and initial conditions needed to specify the unique solutions of their 
respective one-dimensional unsteady or two – dimensional steady 
version. The basic philosophy of the method is to reduced the single linear 
PDE into two or more (depending on the dimensions of the problem) 
ODEs, each involving only one of the independent variables. 
 
3. Method of Separation of Variables: 
 
Here, we will describe the method of separation of variables to solve the 
second order initial boundary value problems with variable and constant 
coefficients separately. 
 
Case I: 
 
Let us a take the second order homogenous partial differential equation 
 0,
uu uv vv u v
Az Bz Cz Dz Ez Fz ? ? ? ? ? ?                                         (1) 
where , , , A B C D and F are functions of u  and v . 
by considering the transformation, 
 ( , ), ( , ) x x u v y y u v ??                                                                (2) 
where 
( , )
0
( , )
xy
uv
?
?
?
.  
equation (1) can be transformed into standard/ canonical form  
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , , , , , 0,
xx yy x y
a x y z c x y z d x y z e x y z f x y z ? ? ? ? ?                   (3) 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 4 
 
which is hyperbolic, parabolic or elliptic according as a = - c, a = 0, a = c 
respectively. 
 
To solve, equation (3), we assume 
 ( ) ( ) 0, z X x Y y ??                                                                        (4) 
where X and Y are twice continuously differentiable functions. 
Substituting equation (4) into equation (3), we get,  
 
'' '' ' '
0, aX Y cXY d XY eXY f XY ? ? ? ? ?                                          (5) 
Let there exist a function p(x, y) such that if the equation (5) is divided 
by p(x, y), we get, 
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
'' '' ' '
1 1 2 2 3 3
0, a x X Y b y XY a x XY b y XY a x b y XY ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?
??
 
on dividing the obtained result by XY, we get, 
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
'' '' ' '
1 1 2 2 3 3
0,
X Y X Y
a x b y a x b y a x b y
X Y X Y
?? ? ? ? ? ? ?
??
 
 
'' ' '' '
1 2 3 1 2 3
,
X X Y Y
a a a b b b
X X Y Y
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
                                     (6) 
The L.H.S. of this equation is the function of X only and R.H.S. of this 
equation is the function of Y only.  
on differentiating equation (6) w.r.t. x, we have  
 
'' '
1 2 3
0,
d X X
a a a
d x X X
??
? ? ?
??
??
 
Now integrating, we get, 
  
'' '
1 2 3
,
XX
a a a
XX
? ? ? ? 
where ? is a constant. 
 
'' '
1 2 3
,
YY
b b b
YY
? ? ? ? ? 
 ? ?
'' '
1 2 3
0, a X a X a X ? ? ? ? ?                                                          (7) 
 ? ?
'' '
1 2 3
0, b Y b Y b Y ? ? ? ? ?                                                          (8) 
If the solutions of the equations (7) and (8) are denoted by X(x) and Y(y) 
respectively, Then, ( , ) z x y is the solution of equation (3). 
 
Case II:  
 
If the coefficients are constants, then reduction to canonical form is not 
necessary. 
Consider the equation 
 0,
xx xy yy x y
Az Bz Cz Dz Ez Fz ? ? ? ? ? ?                                          (9) 
where A, B, C, D, E and F are constants such that at least one of them is 
non-zero. 
 
Page 5


Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subject : Maths 
Lesson : Method of Separation of Variables 
Lesson Developer : Chaman Singh 
College/Department : Acharya Narendra Dev College , 
University of Delhi 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents: 
 Chapter : Method of Separation of Variables 
? 1. Learning Outcomes 
? 2. Introduction 
? 3. Separation of Variables 
? 4. The Vibrating String Problem 
? 5. Solution of the vibrating string problem 
? 5.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 6. The Heat Conduction Problem 
? 7. Solution of the heat conduction problem 
? 7.1. Uniqueness Theorem 
? 8. Non-homogeneous Problems 
? Summary 
? Exercises 
? Glossary 
? References/ Further Reading 
 
1. Learning Outcomes: 
 
After reading this chapter, the learner should be able to understand the 
followings: 
 
? Method of separation of variables to study the solutions of various 
partial differential equations encountered in physical applications 
in which the domain of interest are finite. 
? Use of Separations of Variable Method to solve the problem of a 
vibrating string of finite length l. 
? Solution of the heat conduction problem. 
? Solution of Non-homogeneous problems. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Introduction: 
 
The techniques we have used to solve the PDEs of first order and second 
order with variable and constant coefficients so far, seems to have certain 
limitations in the sense that the solution obtained in terms of arbitrary 
functions either fail to be particularised for physical/engineering problems 
of interest or the algebra becomes quite involved. 
In this chapter, a powerful technique is studied to solve the various partial 
differential equations encountered in physical applications in which the 
domain of interest are finite. In particular, we shall study the boundary 
and initial conditions needed to specify the unique solutions of their 
respective one-dimensional unsteady or two – dimensional steady 
version. The basic philosophy of the method is to reduced the single linear 
PDE into two or more (depending on the dimensions of the problem) 
ODEs, each involving only one of the independent variables. 
 
3. Method of Separation of Variables: 
 
Here, we will describe the method of separation of variables to solve the 
second order initial boundary value problems with variable and constant 
coefficients separately. 
 
Case I: 
 
Let us a take the second order homogenous partial differential equation 
 0,
uu uv vv u v
Az Bz Cz Dz Ez Fz ? ? ? ? ? ?                                         (1) 
where , , , A B C D and F are functions of u  and v . 
by considering the transformation, 
 ( , ), ( , ) x x u v y y u v ??                                                                (2) 
where 
( , )
0
( , )
xy
uv
?
?
?
.  
equation (1) can be transformed into standard/ canonical form  
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , , , , , 0,
xx yy x y
a x y z c x y z d x y z e x y z f x y z ? ? ? ? ?                   (3) 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 4 
 
which is hyperbolic, parabolic or elliptic according as a = - c, a = 0, a = c 
respectively. 
 
To solve, equation (3), we assume 
 ( ) ( ) 0, z X x Y y ??                                                                        (4) 
where X and Y are twice continuously differentiable functions. 
Substituting equation (4) into equation (3), we get,  
 
'' '' ' '
0, aX Y cXY d XY eXY f XY ? ? ? ? ?                                          (5) 
Let there exist a function p(x, y) such that if the equation (5) is divided 
by p(x, y), we get, 
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
'' '' ' '
1 1 2 2 3 3
0, a x X Y b y XY a x XY b y XY a x b y XY ?? ? ? ? ? ? ?
??
 
on dividing the obtained result by XY, we get, 
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
'' '' ' '
1 1 2 2 3 3
0,
X Y X Y
a x b y a x b y a x b y
X Y X Y
?? ? ? ? ? ? ?
??
 
 
'' ' '' '
1 2 3 1 2 3
,
X X Y Y
a a a b b b
X X Y Y
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
                                     (6) 
The L.H.S. of this equation is the function of X only and R.H.S. of this 
equation is the function of Y only.  
on differentiating equation (6) w.r.t. x, we have  
 
'' '
1 2 3
0,
d X X
a a a
d x X X
??
? ? ?
??
??
 
Now integrating, we get, 
  
'' '
1 2 3
,
XX
a a a
XX
? ? ? ? 
where ? is a constant. 
 
'' '
1 2 3
,
YY
b b b
YY
? ? ? ? ? 
 ? ?
'' '
1 2 3
0, a X a X a X ? ? ? ? ?                                                          (7) 
 ? ?
'' '
1 2 3
0, b Y b Y b Y ? ? ? ? ?                                                          (8) 
If the solutions of the equations (7) and (8) are denoted by X(x) and Y(y) 
respectively, Then, ( , ) z x y is the solution of equation (3). 
 
Case II:  
 
If the coefficients are constants, then reduction to canonical form is not 
necessary. 
Consider the equation 
 0,
xx xy yy x y
Az Bz Cz Dz Ez Fz ? ? ? ? ? ?                                          (9) 
where A, B, C, D, E and F are constants such that at least one of them is 
non-zero. 
 
Method of Separation of Variables 
Institute of Lifelong Learning                                                                                                                                        pg. 5 
 
We assume a separable solution of the form ( , ) ( ) ( ) z x y X x Y y ? , and putting 
it into equation (9), we get, 
 
'' ' ' '' ' '
0, AX Y BXY CXY DXY EXY F XY ? ? ? ? ? ? 
Dividing by AXY, we get, 
 
'' ' ' '' ' '
0,
X B XY C Y D X E Y
F
X A XY A Y A X A Y
? ? ? ? ? ?                                       (10) 
Differentiating w. r. t. x, we get, 
 
''
'' ' ' '
0,
X B X Y D X
X A X Y A X
? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
 
Dividing the above eqn. by 
'
'
BX
AX
??
??
??
, we get, 
  
'
''
'
'
'
,
X
X DY
BY
BX
AX
?
??
??
??
? ? ? ?
??
??
??
 
where ? is a separation constant. 
 
'
'
'
0, 0,
D B X
YY
B A X
??
??
??
? ? ? ? ?
?? ??
??
??
                                             (11) 
Integrating second eqn. w. r. t. x, we get, 
 
 
'' '
,
X D B X
X B A X
??
??
??
? ? ? ?
?? ??
??
??
                                                     (12) 
where ß is a constant to be determined. 
 
Substituting equation (11) in equation (10), we get, 
 ? ? ? ?
'' ' '' '
0,
X B X C Y D X E
F
X A X A Y A X A
??
??
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
??
??
 
 
'' ' ''
0,
X D B X Y E F C
X B A X Y C C A
??
? ? ? ?
??
? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ??
??
? ? ? ?
                                (13) 
From equation (12) and equation (13), we get, 
 
''
,
Y E F C
Y C C A
??
??
? ? ? ?
??
??
 
If the solutions of the equations (13) and (11) are denoted by X(x) and 
Y(y) respectively, Then, ( , ) z x y is the solution of equation (9). 
 
4. The Vibrating String Problem: 
To illustrate the details of the method, let us take the problem of a 
vibrating string of length l, that is fixed at both ends and released from 
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FAQs on Lecture 11 - Method of Separation of Variables - Differential Equation and Mathematical Modeling-II - Engineering Mathematics

1. What is the method of separation of variables in engineering mathematics?
Ans. The method of separation of variables is a technique used in engineering mathematics to solve partial differential equations. It involves assuming a solution to the equation as the product of functions, each of which depends on only one variable. By substituting this assumed solution into the equation and rearranging terms, the equation can be separated into several ordinary differential equations, each involving only one variable. The solutions to these separate equations can then be combined to obtain the solution to the original partial differential equation.
2. How does the method of separation of variables work?
Ans. The method of separation of variables works by assuming a solution to a partial differential equation as the product of functions, each depending on only one variable. By substituting this assumed solution into the equation and rearranging terms, the equation can be separated into several ordinary differential equations, each involving only one variable. These separate equations can then be solved individually using appropriate techniques like integration or differentiation. Finally, the solutions to these separate equations are combined to obtain the solution to the original partial differential equation.
3. What types of partial differential equations can be solved using the method of separation of variables?
Ans. The method of separation of variables is commonly used to solve linear homogeneous partial differential equations with constant coefficients. It is particularly effective for equations that are separable, meaning that they can be expressed as a product of functions, each depending on only one variable. Examples of equations where the method of separation of variables can be applied include the heat equation, wave equation, and Laplace's equation.
4. Are there any limitations or restrictions to the method of separation of variables?
Ans. Yes, there are certain limitations to the method of separation of variables. It is primarily applicable to linear homogeneous partial differential equations with constant coefficients. Nonlinear or inhomogeneous equations may not be amenable to this method. Additionally, the method may not be feasible if the boundary conditions of the problem are not compatible with the separated solutions obtained. In such cases, alternative techniques or numerical methods may need to be employed.
5. Can the method of separation of variables be used for higher-dimensional problems?
Ans. Yes, the method of separation of variables can be extended to solve higher-dimensional problems. However, the complexity of the calculations and the number of separate equations to be solved increases significantly with the number of variables. In three-dimensional problems, for example, the method can lead to a system of three separate equations, each involving one variable. Solving such systems can be challenging, and alternative methods like Fourier transforms or numerical techniques may be more suitable in certain cases.
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