Generalized Tricomi problem for a quasilinear mixed type equation (Q964795)

As early in 1923, Tricomi initiated the study of the mixed type equation with the form \[ y{\partial^2 u\over\partial x^2}+ {\partial^2 u\over\partial y^2}= 0. \] In 1950, Lavrentiev and Bitsadze introduced a new mixed type equation with the form \[ {\partial^2 u\over\partial y^2}+\text{sgn],}y{\partial^2 u\over\partial x^2}= 0. \] In the present paper the Tricomi problem and the generalized Tricomi problem for a quasilinear mixed type equation \[ (1+ u){\partial^2 u\over\partial y^2}+ \text{sgn\,}y{\partial^2u\over\partial x^2}= 0 \] are studied near \(u= 0\). The coefficients of the mixed type equation are discontinuous on the line, where the equation changes its type. The existence of solution to these problems is proved. The method developed in the paper can be used to study more difficult problems for nonlinear mixed type equations arising in gas dynamics.