Structure of solutions to linear evolution equations: Extensions of d'Alembert's formula (Q1922917)

The authors start from a factored equation \(\prod^N_{j=1} ({d\over dt}- A_j)u(t)=0\) with commuting generators \(A_j\) and the corresponding d'Alembert formula for the solutions \(u(t)= \sum^N_{j=1} e^{tA_j}x_j\). They find the appropriate generalization in the case of nonautonomous and inhomogeneous equations. Interesting examples are given.