M401 Spring 2010
This schedule is TENTATIVE.
I will announce any important changes at the beginning of the next class.



 
Week


Date

Material

Reading Assignment
Homework
 

1

 

19-Jan

Part I: Perturbation theory and asymptotic approximations:
Perturbation theory for algebraic equations
Read 1-17 in Fulling's notes. It may be helpful for you to read Simmonds and Mann: page 3-17 as well although it's not required.

Homework #1
due Jan 26.

Solutions.
 

1

 

21-Jan




2
26-Jan
Regular perturbation theory (power series) and its shortcomings
Read 18-31 in Fulling's notes and these supplementary notes on regular perturbation theory.
Homework #2
due Feb 2.
Solutions.
 

2


 

28-Jan




 

3


 

2-Feb

Asymptotics and uniformity and distorted time methods.
Read 32-40 in Fulling's notes.

Lecture on pointwise vs uniform convergence and the distorted time method.

Maple worksheet.
Homework #3
due Feb 9.
Solutions.
3
4-Feb



4
9-Feb
Stretched-time and two-time methods
If you've already read up to page 40 in Fulling's notes then you have an introduction to the two-time methods that we'll be discussing. It might be helpful to read ahead (page 41-50 in Fulling) although we probably won't get to the WKB approximation until next week. It may be helpful to read pages 61-71 in Simmond and Mann on the two-scale method.
Homework #4
due Feb 16.
Solutions.
 

4


 

11-Feb


Here are some of Prof. Fullings' old exams: 09, 06, 05, 98. Our exam 1 will be similar except in two respects: WKB will not be on the exam, two-scale methods will not be on the exam.

 

5


 

16-Feb

Review for Exam 1.

Homework #5
due Feb 25.
Solutions.
5
18-Feb
Exam 1 (covers first 4 weeks)
Solutions to Exam 1.

 

6


 

23-Feb

WKB (phase-integral, LiouvilleGreen) approximation We will use Simmonds and Mann (pages 71-77) as the primary text for the WKB approximation. It is also helpful to read about it in Fulling's notes (pages 41-50).
Homework #6
due Mar 4.
Solutions.
 

6


 

25-Feb

Boundary-layer problems

7
2-Mar
Boundary layer problems

Introduction to partial differential equations (PDEs)
Read 50-56 in Fulling's notes (boundary layer theory) and 57-73 (this is part II). The main topics of part II that we will cover are: introduction to PDEs, linear operators, equations and problems, separation of variables (to solve the heat equation).

Alternatively, these topics are covered in Constanda's book: linear operators (pg 6-7), and separation of variables for the heat equation (69-81). Although it isn't part of this course, you might want to read about how the heat equation is derived from physical principles (pg 49-57).
Homework #7
due Mar 11. Solutions.
 

7


 

4-Mar

Linearity, homogeneity, separation of variables.


 

8

 

9-Mar

Fourier series, solutions to the heat equation.
We will briefly review linear operators, linear equations and how to find fundamental solutions to the heat equation. From there, we'll discuss Fourier series. This is covered in Constanda chapter 2 and Fulling's notes pages 74-84. My lecture will be modeled on Constanda's chapter 2.
Homework #8

due April 1.
Solutions.
8
11-Mar

It's possible that we will start on orthogonal functions and Sturm-Liouville problems March 11. This topic is covered in Fulling's notes beginning with page 118. It is chapter 3 of Constanda's book. My lecture will be closer to Fulling's notes.

Here's a Maple worksheet on Fourier series. Here's an pdf version.

 

9

 

16-Mar

Spring Break (no class)


 

9

 

18-Mar

Spring Break (no class)


10
23-Mar
Review for exam 2.
Here is a practice exam.

 

10


 

25-Mar

Exam 2
Exam 2 covers the two-time method, the WKB approximation, boundary layer problems, linear operators and linear equations.

Exam 2 solutions.

 

11


 

30-Mar

Sturm-Liouville problems.
Sturm-Liouville problems are covered in Chapter 3 of Constanda and 118-124 in Fulling's notes.
Homework #9

due April 8.
Solutions.
11
1-April

We'll discuss using separation of variables to solve linear second-order PDEs. This material is covered in chapter 5 of Constanda. We will probably skip chapters 6 and 7 (these chapters cover separation of variables problems for non-homogeneous PDEs).

If there's time, we'll go over the D'Alembert's solution to the wave equation which is discussed in Fulling's notes pages 122-140.

 

12


 

6-April

Last day to drop without penalty.

More separation of variables problems & the Fourier transform.
We will do a few more separation of variables problems for the sake of practice. We'll also go over D'Alembert's solution to the wave equation which is discussed in Fulling's notes pages 122-140. If there's time, we'll start on the Fourier transform.

To begin studying the Fourier transform, I recommend that you read item (5) of page 81 in Fulling's notes. This discusses how to put a Fourier series into complex number notation. Then skip ahead to page 92. Ultimately we will cover the material in 92-105.

The same material is presented in Constanda chapter 8. However, the notation is different, the definition of the Fourier transform is slightly different and he uses a different method for solving PDEs via Fourier transform. My lecture will follow Fulling's notes more than Constanda's book.
Homework #10

due April 15.

Solutions.

Here's a Maple demonstration of the wave equation problems.
 

12


 

8-April




13
13-April
The Fourier transform

Homework #11

Solutions.

due April 22
 

13


 

15-April

Delta functions and Green's functions. The delta function is discussed in Constanda pages 157-158. Green's functions are the subject of Chapter 10.  Fulling's discusses these topics in  pages 106-117.  My lecture will borrow from Fulling's notes mostly.

 

14


 

20-April

Types of PDEs (parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptic); well-posed problems


14
22-April
Review for Exam III
Here is a practice exam.

 

15


 

27-April

Exam III
Exam Solutions
 

15


 

29-April

Review. This is the last day of class.
Here is a practice sheet for the final.

I will have office hours Wed and Fri 10-3pm next week and I'll be available online most of the time and I'm happy to answer your questions.

Some solutions to the practice sheet.


Wed
12-May

Final: 1-3pm. (The final is comprehensive)

I will be out of town after May 7th. A different professor will be proctoring the exam. If you need to talk with me about your grade or anything, please contact me before May 7.