Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2023 iii Paper 336 3 Solution 2026-09-28
Three distinguished limits are needed.
In the origin layer, put and . Since , the leading equation isIt has the first integralSolving this first-order linear differential equation givesRegularity at requires , and then fixes . Thus Region I, , hasIts matching limit is as .
In Region II, with , setting reduces the second-order equation toHence . Matching with the inner limit fixes , so
The correction generated by changes the local decay rate when . For Region III setThe terms of order give the eikonal equationand the next balance gives . Matching to Region II selectsThereforeThis solution is already beyond all algebraic orders in in the distant region. A leading multiplicative composite expansion that contains all three balances and satisfies the boundary value exactly iswith its value at understood by continuity.
Finally, the coefficient of vanishes at the origin. Taking the regular limit of the original equation there givesso the prescribed value also fixes . Equivalently, the second inner solution behaves as and is excluded by regularity. This regular singular point is why one boundary condition determines the unique regular solution.