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mathematical technique > equation solving > method of characteristics

Preferred term

method of characteristics  

Definition

  • In mathematics, the method of characteristics is a technique for solving partial differential equations. Typically, it applies to first-order equations, although more generally the method of characteristics is valid for any hyperbolic partial differential equation. The method is to reduce a partial differential equation to a family of ordinary differential equations along which the solution can be integrated from some initial data given on a suitable hypersurface. (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_characteristics)

Broader concept

Synonym(s)

  • characteristics method

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URI

http://data.loterre.fr/ark:/67375/MDL-R6H7ZQKM-V

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