scientific article; zbMATH DE number 193884

Publication date 5 June 1993

The diffusion equation is of widespread importance in many areas of pure and applied mathematics. Its original and still most familiar occurrence is in connection with heat conduction. While analytical solutions of associated boundary value problems are of great interest both mathematically and practically, the type of situation appropriate to this approach is necessarily limited, so that various numerical and approximate methods have been developed, in particular in connection with mathematical modelling. Much of the above analysis here presented may also be directed to the theory of partial differential equations in general. While clarity has suggested that the relatively simple results have been written into the text, more involved aspects of the work occur as problems at the end of each chapter. No misprints have been noticed other than those included in the short list of errata. Chapter One is concerned with a succinct presentation of the history of the subject and to ways in which the heat equation in one and three dimensions is obtained including a probabilistic approach. Boundary value problems are introduced. Theorems on existence and uniqueness of solutions of the heat equation form an important part of the second chapter which is also devoted to the preliminaries of the theory of Laplace transforms, Fourier series and Green's functions. In Chapters Three and Four, important practical examples of exact solutions are discussed in detail. The techniques of Laplace transforms, variation of parameters and Fourier series are dealt with including the use of curvilinear coordinates. Various types of approximate and numerical solutions form the subject of the next two chapters. These involve the concepts of heat balance, explicit and implicit finite differences, finite elements and boundary integrals. Computer programs are also included. In conclusion, Chapter Seven is concerned with moving boundary conditions as associated with melting and freezing. This is from the point of view of both exact solutions and approximate solutions. This book tackles a major of the study of partial differential equations from a broad and practical standpoint. The inclusion of a number of computer programs greatly enhances the overall value of this well-written and readable work which is a welcome addition to the literature on the subject. Useful lists of general formulae and Laplace transforms have been given. Although the work is intended to be of undergraduate level, it will certainly be of use in a wider field of various applications. The readership would be considerably widened if the opportunity had been taken to include a more extensive bibliography.

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