 Mixed-type partial differential equation

A second-order partial differential equation is of mixed type when the type of its principal part changes across its domain. For $A{u}_{xx}+2B{u}_{xy}+C{u}_{yy}=0$, the sign of $B^2-AC$ distinguishes a hyperbolic partial differential equation, parabolic type and an elliptic partial differential equation. For example, $u_{xx}+\mathrm{sign}(y)u_{yy}=0$ is elliptic above $y=0$, hyperbolic below it, and degenerate on the interface. On its hyperbolic side, the change $\xi =x+y$, $\eta =x-y$ reduces it to $u_{\xi \eta }=0$; above it is the Laplace equation. Type classification alone supplies no matching rule for the normal derivative.