The Laplace Par tial Differential Equation 291
Generalized series terms
> u[0](x,y):=eval(X[0](x)*Y[0](y));u[n](x,y):=eval(X[n](x)*Y[n](y));
u
0
(x, y) :=
1
6
−
1
6
x
u
n
(x, y) := −
2(1 +(−1)
n
) sinh(nπ(1 −x)) cos(nπy)
sinh(nπ)n
2
π
2
(5.37)
Series solution
> u(x,y):=u[0](x,y)+Sum(u[n](x,y),n=1..infinity);
u(x, y) :=
1
6
−
1
6
x +
∞
n=1
−
2(1 +(−1)
n
) sinh(nπ(1 −x)) cos(nπy)
sinh(nπ)n
2
π
2
(5.38)
First few terms of expansion
> u(x,y):=sum(u[0](x,y)+u[n](x,y),n=1..5):
> plot3d(u(x,y),x=0..a,y=0..b,axes=framed,thickness=1);
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
y
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
x
0.2
0
Figure 5.2
The three-dimensional surface shown in Figure 5.2 depicts the steady-state temperature
distribution u(x, y) over the rectangular region. Note how the edges of the surface adhere to
the given boundary conditions. The temperature isotherms can be obtained from Maple by
clicking on the figure, choosing the special option “Render the plot using the polygon patch
and contour style” in the graphics bar, and then clicking the “redraw” button.
EXAMPLE 5.4.3: We seek the steady-state temperature distribution in a thin rectangular plate
over the domain D ={(x, y) |0 <x<1, 0 <y<1} whose lateral surface is insulated. The side
y = 1 is insulated, the sides x = 1 and y = 0 are held at a fixed temperature of zero, and the
side x = 0 follows the temperature distribution u(0,y)= f(y) given as follows.