Separation of variables and exact solutions to nonlinear diffusion equations with \(x\)-dependent convection and absorption (Q2465858)

The generalized conditional symmetry approach [see \textit{J. M. Goard}, Eur. J. Appl. Math. 11, No. 2, 215--224 (2000; Zbl 0953.35027)] to study the separation of variables and exact solutions to nonlinear diffusion equation with \(x\)-dependent convection and source \[ u_t=(D(u)u_x)_x+Q(x,u)u_x+P(x,u) \] is applied. The conditions for nonlinear diffusion equations which possess the functionally separable solutions i.e. exist some functions \(f(u)\), \(\varphi(t)\), \(\psi(x)\) such that \(f(u)= \varphi(t)+\psi(x)\) are formulated. The cases of additive separable solution \(u=\varphi(t)+\psi(x)\) and product separable solution \(u=\varphi(t)\psi(x)\) are also studied. In Section 4 many examples to the obtained results are considered and corresponding exact solutions are derived. Conditions for nonlinear diffusion equations which admit the functionally separable solution when convection and source terms are independent of \(x\) are also formulated.