Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2026 / iii / Paper 105 / 3 / b / Solution

For every compactly supported $C^1$ test function $\phi$ on $[0,\infty )\times \mathbb{R}$, define a weak solution by the identityThe extra $\phi$ appears because ${\partial }_x(x\phi )=x{\phi }_x+\phi$. This identity is obtained from the linear transport equation by integration by parts in time and space.

Conversely, if $u$ and $u_0$ have the stated $C^1$ regularity, choosing test functions supported away from $t=0$ shows in the distributional sense that $u_t+x{u}_x=0$. Continuity makes the equation pointwise. Integrating that pointwise equation by parts in the displayed identity leavesfor all boundary test functions. The fundamental lemma of the calculus of variations gives $u(0,x)=u_0(x)$, so $u$ is a classical solution.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.