Asymptotic matching condition 2026-10-14
An asymptotic matching condition requires the inner expansion and outer expansion, re-expressed in a common overlap region, to agree to the retained order. Both function values and slopes may constrain the free constants. In the square-root reaction problem with nested boundary layers, the shared small plateau sets the first integral of a square-root reaction layer, while its large-field fourth-power tail fixes the neighboring broad layer.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 iii Paper 79 3 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
In the outer solution, derivative terms are small and , so . To resolve its mismatch with the zero left boundary, set , . The original equation becomes exactly . The left inner variable is therefore , with and as .
Multiplying by gives the first integral of a square-root reaction layer. Matching , fixes its constant:The positive derivative branch below begins with and approaches the plateau exponentially. Thus the left layer has thickness , not despite the coefficient on the original second derivative. Its small amplitude is essential in the dominant balance.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 iii Paper 79 3 b ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
For , the first integral of a square-root reaction layer reduces to . Integrating gives after a possible translation, orFor the right profile this large-positive- limit matches a broader scale with . Since and , the overlap isThus the translated layer lies between the outer plateau and the boundary layer. The large- primitive also gives , establishing the leading location .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 iii Paper 79 3 b i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Put . The separated first integral of a square-root reaction layer gives a primitive as defined in solution. One can verify it directly: above the plateau,while below it the derivative has the opposite sign. Accordingly the increasing left profile uses , and the increasing right profile uses after choosing its translation constant.
As , the logarithm dominates:Hence the left profile approaches from below with , while the right profile approaches from above with as . These are precisely the required two plateau matching conditions. The absolute value in the logarithm is necessary to use the same real primitive on both sides.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 iii Paper 79 3 Solution 2026-10-14
The square-root reaction problem with nested boundary layers has a small positive plateau , an left-end layer, and two distinct scales on the right. The broad right layer has width ; its inner edge needs a thinner transition to the plateau. A single right-end scale cannot describe both matches.
Here is a uniformly matched leading solution. Let solveusing the increasing branch below . DefineThen . For the right-hand branch, define by ; it tends to as . These formulas follow from the first integral of a square-root reaction layer and are expanded in solution and solution.
For sufficiently small , let . Then , so the right profile meets the prescribed order-one endpoint. The composite asymptotic expansion isThe subtraction removes the common plateau counted twice. Its boundary residuals are exponentially small: the right profile has almost reached at , and the left profile has almost reached at . In each active layer the opposite profile is exponentially close to its plateau, so the composite reproduces that layer's governing equation and the shared outer solution to the retained order.
The right transition location satisfies . Outside its thin transition, the broad right layer iswhere the bracket is positive; it matches through the thin layer to , rather than continuing as a fourth power on the wrong side. The dominant balances and the end-region matches are detailed below.
The left layer, small plateau and two right-hand scales of the square-root reaction problem
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