Question:medium

Let \( u(x, t) \) be the solution of the following initial-boundary value problem: \[ \frac{\partial u}{\partial t} - \frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2} = 0, \quad x \in (0, \pi), \quad t>0, \] with the boundary conditions: \[ u(0, t) = u(\pi, t) = 0, \quad u(x, 0) = \sin 4x \cos 3x. \] Then, for each \( t>0 \), the value of \( u\left( \frac{\pi}{4}, t \right) \) is

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For heat equation problems, use separation of variables and apply the initial and boundary conditions to determine the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions. Use trigonometric identities to simplify the initial condition.
Updated On: Feb 2, 2026
  • \( \frac{e^{-49t}}{2\sqrt{2}} (e^{48t} - 1) \)
  • \( \frac{e^{-49t}}{2\sqrt{2}} (1 - e^{48t}) \)
  • \( \frac{e^{-49t}}{2\sqrt{2}} (1 + e^{48t}) \)
  • \( \frac{e^{-49t}}{4\sqrt{2}} (1 - e^{48t}) \)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To find the solution to this problem, we are dealing with a heat equation (a type of partial differential equation). Here, the equation is given by:

\[\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} - \frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2} = 0,\] with boundary conditions u(0, t) = u(\pi, t) = 0 for x \in (0, \pi) and t > 0.

The initial condition is u(x, 0) = \sin(4x) \cos(3x), which is given.

The general solution for this type of equation (heat equation on a bounded domain) can be expressed using the method of separation of variables. Assume a solution of the form:

u(x, t) = X(x)T(t).

Plugging this into the original equation, we get:

X(x)\frac{dT}{dt} = T(t)\frac{d^2X}{dx^2}.

Separating variables, we have:

\[\frac{1}{T}\frac{dT}{dt} = \frac{1}{X}\frac{d^2X}{dx^2} = -\lambda\] (a separation constant).

We solve these equations individually:

The spatial part: \(\frac{d^2X}{dx^2} + \lambda X = 0\)

Boundary conditions: X(0) = X(\pi) = 0.

These are sine functions; hence, \(\lambda_n = n^2\) and \(X_n(x) = \sin(nx)\).

The temporal part: \(\frac{dT}{dt} + \lambda T = 0\) which gives:

T(t) = e^{-\lambda t}.

Thus, the solution is a sum of terms: u(x, t) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} C_n e^{-n^2 t} \sin(nx).

The coefficients C_n are obtained by the initial condition:

u(x, 0) = \sin(4x) \cos(3x).

Use trigonometric identity: \(\sin(4x) \cos(3x) = \frac{1}{2} (\sin(7x) + \sin(x))\).

Comparing with u(x,0) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} C_n \sin(nx), the coefficients are C_7 = \frac{1}{2} and C_1 = \frac{1}{2}.

The solution becomes:

\[ u(x, t) = \frac{1}{2} e^{-49t} \sin(7x) + \frac{1}{2} e^{-t} \sin(x).\]

Now, evaluate u\left( \frac{\pi}{4}, t \right):

u\left( \frac{\pi}{4}, t \right) = \frac{1}{2} e^{-49t} \sin\left(7 \cdot \frac{\pi}{4}\right) + \frac{1}{2} e^{-t} \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right).

We calculate:

\[\sin\left(\frac{7\pi}{4}\right) = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, \quad \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}.\]

Thus:

\[ u\left( \frac{\pi}{4}, t \right) = \frac{1}{2} e^{-49t} \left(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right) + \frac{1}{2} e^{-t} \left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right) \Rightarrow \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)\left(e^{-t} - e^{-49t}\right) \]

Finally, we can simplify this result:

\[ \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)\left(e^{-t} - e^{-49t}\right) = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}\left(e^{-49t}- e^{-t}\right) = \frac{e^{-49t}}{2\sqrt{2}} (e^{48t} - 1) \]

Therefore, the correct answer is:

Option: \(\frac{e^{-49t}}{2\sqrt{2}} (e^{48t} - 1)\)

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