Variational methods for boundary value problem
by
Bernie Tsang
University of Auckland
Coauthors: Steven Taylor, Graeme C. Wake

Boundary value problems are involved in many real life models. But they cannot always be easily solved by analytical or numerical methods. Variational methods are easier to use computationally. By writing the boundary value problem in an equivalent functional form. However, not all boundary value problems have a variational formulation. A boundary value problem with a second order differential equation and linear boundary conditions may have a variational form as a sum of a functional of integral form and one involving the boundary values. By deriving the Euler- Langrange equation, we find conditions under which the variational formulation of a boundary value problem will exist without any constraints on the set of admissible functions being improved through essential boundary conditions.

Date received: May 21, 1998

Copyright © 1998 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # cabd-15.