 Solution

For a nonzero separated solution $U=X(x)T(t)$, separation of variables gives $X^{\prime \prime }/X=T^{\prime }/T=-\lambda$. The zero Dirichlet boundary conditions force $X=\sin nx$, $\lambda =n^2$, with integers $n\ge 1$; the time factors are $e^{-n^{2}t}$. Expanding the initial profile in this Fourier sine series requires only the two already displayed spatial modes. ThusBoth terms individually solve the heat equation, vanish at the endpoints and give the required initial profile at $t=0$. The initial function is also $4{\sin }^{3}x\ge 0$ on the bar; the later solution stays nonnegative and tends to zero as heat leaves through the fixed-temperature ends.