Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / iii / Paper 105 / 3 / 2 / g

If $u_0=v_0$, the right-hand side of the local L1 contraction for scalar conservation laws estimate is zero. Applying it on a countable collection of rational intervals and final times proves $u=v$ almost everywhere in space-time. Thus

To deduce nonnegativity one needs a one-sided comparison, rather than merely putting $v=0$ in the absolute-value estimate. The difference $w=u-v$ satisfies the weak equation with flux $f(u)-f(v)$. Subtract its weak integral identity from the Kato inequality for scalar conservation laws and divide by two. The result is the same inequality forWhen $w\ge 0$ both expressions vanish; when $w<0$, $|q_{-}|\le M{w}_{-}$. The shrinking-interval proof therefore bounds the negative part by its initial negative part. This is order preservation for scalar entropy solutions.

The constant $v=0$ is an entropy solution for every $f$, even if $f(0)\ne 0$, because the constant flux has zero spatial derivative. If $u_0\ge 0$, its initial negative part is zero, and comparison givesThis explicitly establishes the additional sign conclusion without incorrectly identifying uniqueness alone with order preservation.