= Corner-source nonuniqueness for a degenerate parabolic problem
{title2=$w(x,t)=xt^{-2}e^{-x/t}$}
On $x,t>0$, the displayed smooth nonzero function satisfies $w_t=xw_{xx}$. For each fixed $t>0$ it tends to zero at $x=0$ and at spatial infinity; for each fixed $x>0$ it tends to zero as $t\downarrow0$. Thus these three pointwise limits do not determine a unique solution: a multiple of $w$ may be added to any particular solution of the same forced equation.
To verify the PDE, set $\eta=x/t$. Both $w_t$ and $xw_{xx}$ equal $\eta(\eta-2)e^{-\eta}/t^2$. The missing control is at the corner: $w(t,t)=1/(et)$ diverges as $t\downarrow0$. There is no contradiction with the <weak parabolic maximum principle>, because a supremum on a past strip may be infinite or unattained. A bounded-solution class excludes this example. A standard uniqueness proof there applies the maximum principle to the difference minus $\delta(1+x+t)$ and lets $\delta\downarrow0$. Conditions at infinity and at initial time must control the relevant strip, not only each fixed-variable limit.
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