For a solution with a continuous gradient at a quadrant corner, the prescribed derivative directions are and . When , these vectors are negatives of one another. Their corner data must therefore be opposite. Imposing as well forces both to vanish. Smooth decay of separate boundary functions alone does not ensure this local compatibility condition for an overdetermined linear system.
// Target: analysis.bigb
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2021 ii Paper 1 33D a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
The system prescribes both first derivatives of the same vector , so it is overdetermined: the two mixed derivatives must agree. Differentiating givesThus every solution satisfiesFor the system to possess arbitrary nontrivial local solution data, the coefficient matrix must vanish:This is the zero-curvature condition, or the compatibility condition for an overdetermined linear system.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 ii Paper 1 33E b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
Differentiating the first auxiliary equation in , the second in , and equating and leaves preciselyso the Airy equation is their compatibility condition.
Multiplication of by givesHenceFor , the kernel is bounded when ; dominated differentiation makes analytic for . Rapid decrease gives