Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2014/ia/paper-2/6b/iii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2014 ia Paper 2 6B iii Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-06
With zero initial time derivative, the integral term in the D'Alembert formula vanishes. The Heaviside step function representation givesThe rectangular pulse splitting under the wave equation consists of two width-two pulses of height , moving left and right at speed . At they coincide and add to the initial height-one pulse. Before the overlapping interval has height one; after the two pulses are separated. Values exactly at the fronts depend on the chosen convention. Away from the fronts the equation holds classically, and across the fronts it holds as a weak solution of the wave equation.
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