4.2.1: Case n=3

The Euler-Poisson-Darboux equation in this case is

$$(rM)_{rr}=c^{-2}(rM)_{tt}.\]

Thus \(rM\) is the solution of the one-dimensional wave equation with initial data

\begin{equation}
\label{initialn3}\tag{4.2.1.1}
(rM)(r,0)=rF(r)\ \ \ (rM)_t(r,0)=rG(r).
\end{equation}
From the d'Alembert formula we get formally
\begin{eqnarray}
\label{meansol1}
M(r,t)&=&\dfrac{(r+ct)F(r+ct)+(r-ct)F(r-ct)}{2r}\\ \tag{4.2.1.2}
&&+\dfrac{1}{2cr}\int_{r-ct}^{r+ct}\ \xi G(\xi)\ d\xi.
\end{eqnarray}

The right hand side of the previous formula is well defined if the domain of dependence \([x-ct,x+ct]\) is a subset of \((0,\infty)\). We can extend \(F\) and \(G\) to \(F_0\) and \(G_0\) which are defined on \((-\infty,\infty)\) such that \(rF_0\) and \(rG_0\) are \(C^2(\mathbb{R}^1)\)-functions as follows.
Set

$$
F_0(r)=\left\{\begin{array}{r@{\quad:\quad}l}
F(r)&r>0\\
f(x)&r=0\\
F(-r)&r<0
\end{array}\right.\
\]

The function \(G_0(r)\) is given by the same definition where \(F\) and \(f\) are replaced by \(G\) and \(g\), respectively.

Lemma. \(rF_0(r),\ rG_0(r)\in C^2(\mathbb{R}^2)\).

Proof. From definition of \(F(r)\) and \(G(r)\), \(r>0\), it follows from the mean value theorem

$$\lim_{r\to+0} F(r)=f(x),\ \ \ \lim_{r\to+0} G(r)=g(x).\]

Thus \(rF_0(r)\) and \(rG_0(r)\) are \(C(\mathbb{R}^1)\)-functions. These functions are also in \(C^1(\mathbb{R}^1)\). This follows since \(F_0\) and \(G_0\) are in \(C^1(\mathbb{R}^1)\). We have, for example,

\begin{eqnarray*}
F'(r)&=&\dfrac{1}{\omega_n}\int_{\partial B_1(0)}\ \sum_{j=1}^n f_{y_j}(x+r\xi)\xi_j\ dS_\xi\\
F'(+0)&=&\dfrac{1}{\omega_n}\int_{\partial B_1(0)}\ \sum_{j=1}^n f_{y_j}(x)\xi_j\ dS_\xi\\
&=&\dfrac{1}{\omega_n}\sum_{j=1}^n f_{y_j}(x)\int_{\partial B_1(0)}\ n_j\ dS_\xi\\
&=&0.
\end{eqnarray*}

Then, \(rF_0(r)\) and \(rG_0(r)\) are in \(C^2(\mathbb{R}^1)\), provided \(F''\) and \(G''\) are bounded as \(r\to+0\). This property follows from

$$F''(r)=\dfrac{1}{\omega_n}\int_{\partial B_1(0)}\ \sum_{i,j=1}^n f_{y_iy_j}(x+r\xi)\xi_i\xi_j\ dS_\xi.\]

Thus

$$F''(+0)=\dfrac{1}{\omega_n}\sum_{i,j=1}^n f_{y_iy_j}(x)\int_{\partial B_1(0)}\ n_in_j\ dS_\xi.\]

We recall that \(f,g\in C^2(\mathbb{R}^2)\) by assumption.

\(\Box\)

The solution of the above initial value problem, where \(F\) and \(G\) are replaced by \(F_0\) and \(G_0\), respectively, is

\begin{eqnarray*}
M_0(r,t)&=&\dfrac{(r+ct)F_0(r+ct)+(r-ct)F_0(r-ct)}{2r}\\
&&+\dfrac{1}{2cr}\int_{r-ct}^{r+ct}\ \xi G_0(\xi)\ d\xi.
\end{eqnarray*}

Since \(F_0\) and \(G_0\) are even functions, we have

$$\int_{r-ct}^{ct-r}\ \xi G_0(\xi)\ d\xi=0.\]

Thus

\begin{eqnarray}
M_0(r,t)&=&\dfrac{(r+ct)F_0(r+ct)-(ct-r)F_0(ct-r)}{2r}\nonumber\\
\label{meansol2} \tag{4.2.1.3}
&&+\dfrac{1}{2cr}\int_{ct-r}^{ct+r}\ \xi G_0(\xi)\ d\xi,
\end{eqnarray}

see Figure 4.2.1.1.

Figure 4.2.1.1: Changed domain of integration

For fixed \(t>0\) and \(0<r<ct\) it follows that \(M_0(r,t)\) is the solution of the initial value problem with given initially data (\ref{initialn3}) since \(F_0(s)=F(s)\), \(G_0(s)=G(s)\) if \(s>0\).

Since for fixed \(t>0\)

$$u(x,t)=\lim_{r\to 0} M_0(r,t),\]

it follows from d'Hospital's rule that

\begin{eqnarray*}
u(x,t)&=&ctF'(ct)+F(ct)+tG(ct)\\
&=&\dfrac{d}{dt}\left(tF(ct)\right)+tG(ct).
\end{eqnarray*}

Theorem 4.2. Assume \(f\in C^3(\mathbb{R}^3)\) and \(g\in C^2(\mathbb{R}^3)\) are given. Then there exists a unique solution \(u\in C^2(\mathbb{R}^3\times [0,\infty))\) of the initial value problem (4.2.2)-(4.2.3), where \(n=3\), and the solution is given by the Poisson's formula

\begin{eqnarray}
u(x,t)&=&\dfrac{1}{4\pi c^2}\dfrac{\partial}{\partial t}\left(\dfrac{1}{t}\int_{\partial B_{ct}(x)}\ f(y)\ dS_y\right)\\ \tag{4.2.1.4}
&&+\dfrac{1}{4\pi c^2 t}\int_{\partial B_{ct}(x)}\ g(y)\ dS_y.
\end{eqnarray}

Proof. Above we have shown that a \(C^2\)-solution is given by Poisson's formula. Under the additional assumption \(f\in C^3\) it follows from Poisson's formula that this formula defines a solution which is in \(C^2\), see F. John [10], p. 129.

\(\Box\)

Corollary. From Poisson's formula we see that the domain of dependence for \(u(x,t_0)\) is the intersection of the cone defined by \(|y-x|=c|t-t_0|\) with the hyperplane defined by \(t=0\), see Figure 4.2.1.2.

Figure 4.2.1.2: Domain of dependence, case \(n=3\).

Contributors and Attributions

• Prof. Dr. Erich Miersemann (Universität Leipzig)

• Integrated by Justin Marshall.