Introduction

In the preceding Section we looked at parabolic partial differential equations. Another class of PDE modelling initial value problems are of the hyperbolic type.

In this Section we will concentrate on the wave equation, which was introduced in HELM booklet  25.

Prerequisites

• revise those aspects of HELM booklet  25 which deal with the wave equation
• familiarise yourself with difference methods for approximating first and second derivatives
• be familiar with the numerical methods used for parabolic equations

Learning Outcomes

• obtain simple numerical solutions of the wave equation