Scribd
Upload
13 views3 pages

Maximum and Minimum

Maximum and Minimum of PDEs

Uploaded by

Kagyera Katakara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views3 pages

Maximum and Minimum

Maximum and Minimum of PDEs

Uploaded by

Kagyera Katakara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Suppose that the temperature of metal plate is given by 𝑻 (𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒙 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝒚𝟐 .

For
the points (𝒙, 𝒚 )on a plate ellipse defined by 𝒈(𝒙, 𝒚) = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒚𝟐 ≤ 𝟐𝟒 . Find
minimum and maximum temperature on the plate.

The critical values of the temperature function 𝑇 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 on the plate must
lie either at points where the gradient of T is zero (interior critical points) or where T is
constrained by the boundary of the ellipse 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 = 24 (boundary critical
points).
In this problem, we are specifically finding critical values on the boundary of the region
𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 ≤ 24 by applying the method of Lagrange multipliers, which is
useful for finding extremum points when constrained by a surface or curve.
Here’s why critical points necessarily arise through these considerations:
1. Boundary Constraints and the Lagrange Multiplier Method
When optimizing a function with a constraint, critical points can occur where the constraint
surface (the ellipse) touches a level curve of the function 𝑇(𝑥, 𝑦). The method of Lagrange
multipliers ensures that we find points where the gradients of 𝑇 and 𝑔 are parallel, implying
that these are potential locations for minimum or maximum values on the constrained region.
2. Interior and Boundary Critical Points

If a critical point occurs in the interior (where the gradient of 𝑇 vanishes within the ellipse),
we would find it by setting 𝛻𝑇 = 0. However, in this problem:

The function 𝑇 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 does not have any critical points inside the ellipse
since 𝛻𝑇 = (2𝑥 + 2, 2𝑦) ≠ 0 for all (𝑥, 𝑦) in the plane.

Thus, we only have boundary critical points to consider, where the maximum and minimum of
𝑇 on the ellipse may occur.

3. Using 𝒈(𝒙, 𝒚) to Constrain 𝑻

The constraint 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 = 24 restricts 𝑇(𝑥, 𝑦) to the boundary of the ellipse,


and the method of Lagrange multipliers helps identify points on this boundary that could be
extrema for 𝑇(𝑥, 𝑦).

So, the critical values are necessarily on the boundary, where 𝛻𝑇 is parallel to 𝛻𝑔 because
these are the only points within the constrained region that satisfy the conditions for potential
extrema. This approach gives us the required points to evaluate 𝑇(𝑥, 𝑦) and determine the
minimum and maximum temperatures on the plate.

1
Remark: Boundary Conditions
To solve a PDE, we need boundary conditions to uniquely determine the solution. Common
types of boundary conditions are:
• Dirichlet Boundary Condition: Specifies the value of the function at the boundary
(e.g., 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) on the boundary).

• Neumann Boundary Condition: Specifies the value of the normal derivative at the
𝜕𝑢
boundary (e.g., = ℎ(𝑥, 𝑦) on the boundary).
𝜕𝑛
• Mixed Boundary Condition: A combination of Dirichlet and Neumann conditions.

Separation of Variables
Separation of Variables is a powerful method to solve second-order PDEs, especially for
equations with constant coefficients and well-defined boundary conditions. The main idea is
to express the solution as a product of functions, each depending on a single variable. For
example:

𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑋(𝑥)𝑌(𝑦).
Substituting this into the PDE allows us to separate the variables into two ODEs, which can be
solved individually.
Example: Laplace's Equation

𝜕2𝑢 𝜕2𝑢
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
Assume 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑋(𝑥)𝑌(𝑦). Substituting this into the equation and separating variables
gives two ODEs:

𝑋′′(𝑥) 𝑌′′(𝑦)
=− = 𝜆.
𝑋(𝑥) 𝑌(𝑦)
Each ODE can then be solved based on boundary conditions.

Hyperbolic Equations

For hyperbolic equations (𝐵 2 − 4𝐴𝐶 > 0), solutions typically represent wave-like
phenomena. The wave equation is the standard example of a hyperbolic PDE:

𝜕2𝑢 𝑐2𝜕2𝑢
= .
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2

2
Solutions are generally given by d'Alembert's formula or through separation of variables.
Hyperbolic equations often describe phenomena like vibrating strings and sound waves.

Parabolic Equations

Parabolic equations (𝐵 2 − 4𝐴𝐶 = 0) model diffusion-like processes. The heat equation is


the primary example of a parabolic PDE:

𝜕𝑢 𝑘𝜕2 𝑢
= .
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 2
Parabolic equations typically describe heat conduction or diffusion processes. These problems
often use initial conditions (e.g., the initial temperature distribution) and boundary
conditions.

Elliptic Equations

Elliptic equations (𝐵 2 − 4𝐴𝐶 < 0) describe steady-state processes such as electrostatic


potential or incompressible fluid flow. Laplace's equation and Poisson's equation are typical
elliptic PDEs:

𝛥𝑢 = 0 (𝐿𝑎𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒’𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛),
𝛥𝑢 = 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦)(𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛’𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛).
Elliptic PDEs often require boundary conditions and describe equilibrium states.

Conclusion
Second-order partial differential equations play a critical role in understanding physical
systems across multiple disciplines. The classification into hyperbolic, parabolic, and elliptic
PDEs provides a framework for solving them based on the nature of the phenomena they
describe. Key solution techniques like characteristic equations, constant coefficients, and
separation of variables allow us to address specific problems and apply appropriate boundary
conditions.

You might also like