Comparison of the Effectiveness of Different Methods for Constructing Exact Solutions to Nonlinear PDEs. Generalizations and New Solutions

Abstract

The paper shows that, in looking for exact solutions to nonlinear PDEs, the direct method of functional separation of variables can, in certain cases, be more effective than the method of differential constraints based on the compatibility analysis of PDEs with a single constraint (or the nonclassical method of symmetry reductions based on an invariant surface condition). This fact is illustrated by examples of nonlinear reaction-diffusion and convection-diffusion equations with variable coefficients, and nonlinear Klein–Gordon-type equations. Hydrodynamic boundary layer equations, nonlinear Schrödinger type equations, and a few third-order PDEs are also investigated. Several new exact functional separable solutions are given. A possibility of increasing the efficiency of the Clarkson–Kruskal direct method is discussed. A generalization of the direct method of the functional separation of variables is also described. Note that all nonlinear PDEs considered in the paper include one or several arbitrary functions.