PDE as a unified subject (Q2737652)

This is a survey written in a loose style, which aims to draw attention to a necessity of developing a description of linear and nonlinear partial differential equations as a united theory, rather than a collection of isolated topics for diferent special types of the equations. Unifying principles, such as well-posedneess, regularity theory, direct variational methods, microlocal analysis, and others are stressed. Relations with physical theories, that are both sources of new mathematical models and a field for the application of newly developed mathematical techniques for PDEs are highlighted. The concluding part of the survey presents some results on a specific problem of well-posedness for nonlinear wave equations. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0960.00034].