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Sheet 10

The document outlines problem sheets for a Master of Mathematics course focused on semilinear elliptic equations and the calculus of variations. It includes multiple problems requiring proofs related to variational methods, weak solutions, and properties of functionals. Each problem provides hints and asks for specific demonstrations regarding the existence and uniqueness of solutions within given constraints.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views4 pages

Sheet 10

The document outlines problem sheets for a Master of Mathematics course focused on semilinear elliptic equations and the calculus of variations. It includes multiple problems requiring proofs related to variational methods, weak solutions, and properties of functionals. Each problem provides hints and asks for specific demonstrations regarding the existence and uniqueness of solutions within given constraints.

Uploaded by

alvaroruizp666
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Academic year 2024/25

Master of Mathematics and Applications PDEs in Sci. and Eng.

Problem sheet 10
Semilinear elliptic equations: Calculus of variations
n R 1/2 R1 o
Problem 1. Let M = u ∈ C([0, 1]) : 0 u − 1/2 u = 1 and I : M 7→ R given by I(u) =
∥u∥∞ .

(i) Show that inf u∈M I(u) = 1.


Hint. For any h ∈ (0, 1/2) consider the function vh = uh /(1 − h), where
  1 


 1, x ∈ 0, 2
− h ,
1
−x
uh (x) = 2
1 1

x ∈ 2
− h, 2
+ h ,

 h
x ∈ 12 + h, 1 .

−1,  

(ii) Show that there is no function u ∈ M such that I(u) = 1.

Why is the direct method of the Calculus of Variations faling here?


Problem 2. (Weierstrass’ example) Let M the convex closed subset of H 1 ([0, 1]) given by M =
{u ∈ H 1 ([0, 1]) : u(0) = 1, u(1) = 0}. Consider the functional I : M 7→ R defined by I(u) =
R1
0
x|u′ (x)|2 dx.

(i) Show that inf u∈M I(u) = 0.


log((1−h)x+h)
Hint. For any h > 0 consider the function uh (x) = log h
.

(ii) Show that there does not exist any u ∈ M such that I(u) = 0.

Why is the direct method of the Calculus of Variations failing here?


Problem 3. (Bolza’s example) Let Ω = (0, 1) ⊂ R. Consider the functional I : W01,4 (Ω) 7→ R
R1
defined by I(u) = 0 ((u′ )2 − 1)2 + u4 .


(i) Show that inf u∈M I(u) = 0.


Hint. For each integer ν ≥ 2 consider the function uν defined on each interval of the form
[k/ν, (k + 1)/ν], 0 ≤ k ≤ ν − 1, as follows
(
x − νk
 2k 2k+1 
if x ∈ 2ν , 2ν ,
uν (x) =
−x + (k+1) if x ∈ 2k+1 , 2k+2

ν 2ν 2ν
.

1
(ii) Show that there does not exist any u ∈ M such that I(u) = 0.

Why is the direct method of the Calculus of Variations faling here?


Problem 4. Prove the existence of weak solutions for the following problems:

a) Given u0 ∈ H 1 (Ω),
−∆u = sin u in Ω, u = u0 on ∂Ω.

b) Assuming n = 1, and given f ∈ L1 (Ω)

u′′ = u + eu + f in Ω, u′ = 0 on ∂Ω.

Problem 5. Let Ω ⊂ RN be a bounded domain with smooth boundary, let β : R 7→ R be a


smooth function such that there exist a and b such that

0 < a ≤ β ′ (z) ≤ b for all z ∈ R,

and f ∈ L2 (Ω).

(i) Define a concept of weak solution for the nonlinear problem

−∆u = f in Ω, ∂ν u + β(u) = 0 in ∂Ω.

(ii) Prove that there exists a weak solution (and is unique).

Problem 6. Let Ω ⊂ RN be a bounded domain with smooth boundary. Given u ∈ H 1 (Ω), we


define the surface of the graphic of u by
Z p
F (u) = 1 + |∇u|2 dx.

(i) Prove that the functional F is C 1 in H 1 (Ω).

2
(ii) Let g ∈ H 1 (Ω), and A = {u = g + v : v ∈ H01 (Ω)}. Prove that a critical point of F in A is
a weak solution to the equation of minimal surfaces:
 
∇u
∇· = 0 en Ω, u = g en ∂Ω.
(1 + |∇u|2 )1/2

The expression on the left of this equality is N -times the mean curvature of the graphic of
u. Hence a minimal surface has zero mean curvature.

(iii) Check wether or not the direct method of calculus of variations can be used to deduce
existence of a minimizer of F in A.
R
(iv) Let J(w) = Ω w dx. assume that u is a smooth minimizer of F in A ∩ {w : J(w) = 1}.
Show that the graphic of u is a minimal surface with constant mean curvature.

Problem 7. Let f ∈ L2 (Ω). Show that there exists a unique minimizer u of


Z  
1 2
J(w) = |∇w| − f w
Ω 2

in A = {w ∈ H01 (Ω) : |∇w| ≤ 1 a.e. }. Show that


Z Z
∇u · ∇(w − u) ≥ f (w − u) for all w ∈ A.
Ω Ω

Problem 8. Let Ω ⊂ Rn be open and bounded. Let p ∈ [2, ∞). Let f ∈ Lq (Ω) for some
q ∈ [1, ∞). Consider the nonlinear elliptic equation
(
− div (|∇u|p−2 ∇u) = f in Ω,
u=0 on ∂Ω.

Find the weak formulation of the problem and show, for suitable values of q, the existence of a
weak solution.
Problem 9. Let Ω ⊂ Rd be a bounded, connected open set with C 1 boundary. Let f ∈ L2 (Ω).
We define I : H 1 (Ω) → R as
Z   Z
1 2
u2 − sin u .

I[u] = |Du| − f u +
Ω 2 ∂Ω

(a) Prove that the directional derivative of I at u ∈ H 1 (Ω) in the direction of v ∈ H 1 (Ω) is
given by Z Z

∂v I[u] = (Du · Dv − f v) + (2u − cos u)v .
Ω ∂Ω

(b) Prove that I is Gâteaux differentiable.

3
(c) Prove that I is sequentially continuous and strictly convex.
Hints. (i) Remember that a Gâteaux differentiable functional on a Banach space X is
strictly convex if and only if

(J ′ [u] − J ′ [v])(u − v) > 0 for all u, v ∈ X, u ̸= v.

(ii) You may use, without proving it, that there exists a constant C > 0 such that
 
∥u∥2L2 (Ω) ≤ C ∥Du∥2L2 (Ω) + ∥u∥2L2 (∂Ω) for all u ∈ H 1 (Ω).

This is Friedrich’s inequality.

(d) Show that I has a unique minimizer in H 1 (Ω).


Hint. Friedrich’s inequality may be again useful.

(e) Assume that the unique minimizer u of I satisfies u ∈ H 2 (Ω). Prove that

−∆u = f almost everywhere in Ω, ∂ν u + 2u − cos u = 0 almost everywhere in ∂Ω.

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