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Assume $0<\epsilon <1$ and setThe travel-time coordinate for a one-dimensional variable-speed wave equationsends the initial interval $I_{\epsilon }=(-a,a)$ to $(-S_{\epsilon },S_{\epsilon })$. By the characteristic curves for speed one minus y squared, the two characteristic coordinates are $s-x$ and $s+x$. The finite propagation speed and uniqueness theorem for hyperbolic partial differential equations therefore give the maximal characteristic diamondEquivalently,In the $(x,s)$ plane this is a diamond with vertices $(0,\pm S_{\epsilon })$ and $(\pm S_{\epsilon },0)$; transforming back bends its four sides into the characteristic curves found in part 3(c). Beyond any one of those sides, a point's backward characteristics meet $x=0$ outside $I_{\epsilon }$, where no Cauchy data were prescribed, so uniqueness cannot be extended farther.

The principal symbol of the equation isIn the standard notation $A{u}_{tt}+2B{u}_{tx}+C{u}_{xx}$, we have $A=tx$, $B=0$, and $C=-1$, soA second-order equation is a hyperbolic partial differential equation exactly where this discriminant is positive. Hence the hyperbolic set isthe union of the first and third open quadrants.

For $u_0>u_A$, define the Alfvénic Mach-cone slopeThe equation in part (b) is the hyperbolic partial differential equationwhose characteristic curves are $x\pm mz=\text{constant}$. Let $W(s)$ be one for $|s|<L/2$ and zero otherwise. Selecting the characteristics that trail downstream, toward negative $x$, and imposing part (c) givesThe stationary induction and mass conservation equations then givewith $\delta u_z=\delta u_y=\delta B_y=0$. In the strongly super-Alfvénic limit, $\delta u_x\simeq u_{A}b/B_0$ and $\delta B_z\simeq b{u}_A/u_0$ inside the disturbed region.

The perturbations have support only whereBecause the wing is infinite in $y$, this is the union of two inclined slabs bounded by the characteristic planes $x+m|z|=\pm L/2$. These two trailing slabs are the Alfvén wings generated by the conductor.

Eliminate the two pure second derivatives by taking $\alpha ,\beta$ to be the roots of $z^2+2Bz+C=0$. They are distinct real numbers exactly whenThus the required function is $H(B)=B^2$. The mixed coefficient becomes $4(C-B^2)\ne 0$, so the transformed equation is $y_{\xi \eta }=0$. Integrating once in each coordinate giveswith arbitrary sufficiently smooth functions $F,G$. This is the characteristic form of a strictly hyperbolic partial differential equation.

For $A{u}_{xx}+2B{u}_{xy}+C{u}_{yy}+\cdots =0$, the sign of $\Delta =B^2-AC$ distinguishes a hyperbolic partial differential equation when $\Delta >0$, an elliptic partial differential equation when $\Delta <0$, and a parabolic partial differential equation when $\Delta =0$ and the principal symbol has rank one. If $A=B=C=0$, the second-order principal symbol has rank zero and the differential order drops; this fully degenerate case must be checked separately for compatibility with the lower-order terms and forcing.

Coauthor with David I. Ketcheson and Mauricio J. del Razo of a book connecting Riemann problems, hyperbolic partial differential equations and executable numerical examples.^[ref]