Boundary Value Problems/Introduction to BVPs

Objective edit

Introduce Boundary value problems for a single independent variable.

Approach edit

  • What is a Boundary Value problem?
  • Solution of a Boundary Value Problem is directly related to solution of an Initial Value Problem. So let's review the material on IVPs first and then make the connection to BVPs.
  • Details of solving a two point BVP.

Initial Value Problems edit

For a single independent variable   in an interval  , an initial value problem consists of an ordinary differential equation including one or more derivatives of the dependent variable,  ,

 

and   additional equations specifying conditions on the solution and the derivatives at a point  


 , ...,  ,  

Example:

The differential equation is   (First order differential equation.) and the initial condition at   is given as   .

Solution:

 

 .

When,    and  


Get out a piece of paper and try to solve the following IVP in a manner similar to the preceding example:

  and the initial condition at   is given as   .


Once you have an answer (or are stuck) check your solution here. Click here for the solution: IVP-student-1

A second order ODE example:

The differential equation is   (Second order differential equation.) and the two initial conditions at   given as   .

Solution:

Assume the solution has the form  

 

 

 

  The characteristic polynomial. Solve for "r".

 



See the Wikipedia link for more on Initial Value Problems

Two point BVPs for an ODE edit

Begin with second order DEs,  , with conditions on the solution at   and  .

  with   and   on the interval  

 

Example edit

  with   and   on the interval  

See the wikipedia topic

Boundary Value Problems

References edit

Return to Boundary Value Problems edit