Exercise · ZW-HARMONIC-FUNCTION-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which of these functions is harmonic on the whole plane?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. \(x^2-y^2\)

Explanation

For \(u=x^2-y^2\), \(u_{xx}+u_{yy}=2-2=0\). The others have Laplacians \(4\), \(2\) and \(e^x+e^y\), none of them zero.

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Review the concept: Harmonic function

A real function \(u\) of two variables, with continuous second partial derivatives on an open set \(U\) of the plane, is harmonic if its Laplacian \(\Delta u\) is zero throughout \(U\).

\[\Delta u=\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2}+\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial y^2}=0\]

More practice problems: harmonic function

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