Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-differential-equations-and-applications-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2010/b/4/a/solution
Past exam of the differential equations and applications course of the University of Oxford 2010 B 4 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Use the initial-curve parameter and a characteristic parameter . Charpit's equations areAt prescribe , and . The two initial derivatives must satisfyThe second equation is the chain rule along the initial curve. For the usual local Cauchy construction also require the non-characteristic condition . It ensures both local determination of an allowed branch of and local inversion of the projected characteristic coordinates.
Along a characteristic, the chain rule and the five equations giveSince initially, along each constructed curve. With the contact compatibility propagated by this system, an invertible characteristic chart reconstructs and hence a local classical solution.
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