Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2025 / Paper 1 / 2 / a / Solution

For separation of variables, take $n=T(t)X(x)Y(y)Z(z)$ and divide the reaction-diffusion equation by this product wherever it is nonzero:Each spatial term depends on a different variable and must be constant. Write $X^{\prime \prime }=-k_x^{2}X$ and similarly for the other two factors. The Dirichlet boundary conditions give $X(0)=X(L)=0$. A zero separation constant permits only a linear function and hence the zero solution; a positive value of $X^{\prime \prime }/X$ likewise permits no nonzero function vanishing at both endpoints. The nontrivial choices are thereforeThe temporal ordinary differential equation isso, absorbing its constant multiplier into $a_{p,q,r}$,The superposition principle and completeness of the Fourier sine series give the stated threefold expansion with these factors. For an initial density $n_0$, orthogonality also determines the constants: