ADVANCED MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS

QUESTIONS
Dr. Habumugisha Isaac
2024

1 Complex Variable
1
1. Prove that, if z = cos θ + i sin θ and n is any positive integer, z n − zn
= 2i sin nθ.
Show that

2n

n−1
Yn
2 2 rπ o
z −1= z −1 z − 2z cos +1
r=1
n

By substituting z = cos θ + i sin θ, deduce that

n−1
sin nθ n−1
Yn rπ o
=2 cos θ − cos
sin θ r=1
n

1
2. From 1−z
= 1 + z + z2 + z3 . . . , (|z| < 1), prove that

∞
X 1 − r cos θ
rn cos nθ =
n=0
1 − 2r cos θ + r2

and

∞
X r sin θ
rn sin nθ = , (r < 1)
n=0
1 − 2r cos θ + r2

3. Show that

cos x cos 2x cos 3x

ecos x cos(sin x) = 1 + + + + ...
1! 2! 3!
sin x sin 2x sin 3x
ecos x sin(sin x) = + + + ...
1! 2! 3!
Hence show that
Z π
ecos x cos(sin x)dx = π
0

1
 2 Partial Differentiation
4. (a) If x = a cos θ + b sin ϕ, y = b cos θ − a sin ϕ, where a and b are constants, prove
that    
∂θ ∂ϕ
b sin θ + a cos ϕ =0
∂x y ∂x y
(b) If V = xf (u) and u = y/x, show that

∂ 2V ∂ 2V 2
2∂ V
x2 + 2xy + y = 0.
∂x2 ∂x∂y ∂y 2

5. If ϕ(r, θ) = f (r) sin θ, where f is an arbitrary function and x = r cos θ, y = r sin θ,

prove that

∂ 2ϕ ∂ 2ϕ
   2 
2 2 2d f df
x +y + = r + r − f sin θ
∂x2 ∂y 2 dr2 dr
Hence show that if ϕ satisfies the differential equation
∂ 2ϕ ∂ 2ϕ
+ =0
∂x2 ∂y 2

then f (r) = Ar + Br , where A and B are constants.

6. Show that V = (Arn + Br−n ) cos(nθ + ε), where A, B, n and ε are arbitrary con-
stants, satisfies the equation

∂ 2V 1 ∂V 1 ∂ 2V
+ + =0
∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂θ2
∂ 3 f (x,y,z)
7. Find ∂x∂y∂z
(= fxyz ) when

(a) f (x, y, z) = exyz ,

xy
(b) f (x, y, z) = 2x+z
, and verify in each case that

fxyz = fyzx = fzxy

8. If V = f (x − ct) + g(x + ct), where f and g are arbitrary functions and c is a

constant, prove that

∂ 2V 1 ∂ 2V
− =0
∂x2 c2 ∂t2
9. Find du
dt
in two ways given that u = xn y n , and x = cos at y = sin bt, where a, b and
n are constants.
du
10. Find in two ways given that u = x2 y + y1 and y = loge x.
dx

11. If V = x loge (x2 + y 2 ) − 2y tan−1 xy , find ∂V and ∂V

∂x ∂y
, and verify that

∂V ∂V
x +y = V + 2x (L.U.)
∂x ∂y

2
12. Given that V1 (x, y, z) and V2 (x, y, z) are solutions of Laplace’s equation

∂ 2V ∂ 2V ∂ 2V
+ + =0
∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2
Show that W (x, y, z) = V1 (x, y, z) + r2 V2 (x, y, z) satifies the equation
! !
2 2 2 2
∂ ∂ ∂ W ∂ W
2
+ ∂ 2 2
+ 2 =0
∂x 2
∂y + ∂z2 ∂x ∂y + ∂∂zW2
2

where r2 = x2 + y 2 + z 2

3 Line and multiple integrals

13. If θ, φ, ψ are suitable functions of position, prove that
Z Z Z
(ψ∇θ · ∇φ)dV = (φψ∇θ) · dS − {φ∇ · (ψ∇θ)}dV
V ZS ZV
= (θψ∇φ) · dS − {θ∇ · (ψ∇φ)}dV
S V

where S is a simple closed surface bounding a volume V .

14. Using Green’s theorem that
ZZ   ZZZ
∂V ∂U
U ∇2 V − V ∇2 U dτ


U −V dS =
S ∂n ∂n τ

show that, if P is any point of a volume τ bounded by a surface S,

ZZ    ZZZ
1 ∂V ∂ 1 1 2
4πVP = −V dS − ∇ V dτ
S R ∂n ∂n R τ R

where V is a scalar function of position satisfying conditions which sho ve stated,

V0 is the value of V at P , and R is the distance from P variable point of c. Hence
(i) show that ZZ  
∂ 1
4π = − dS,
S ∂n R
(ii) determine V as a function of position inside a sphere of unit radius, given that
∇2 V = −6 everywhere inside the sphere and that everywhere on the boundary
of the sphere V = 4, ∂V /∂n = −2.
15. (i) Assuming the divergence theorem, prove
s theorem that
ZZZ ZZ
2

∂V
∇U · ∇V + U ∇ V dτ = U dS
T S ∂n
Given two single-valued functions of position, U and V , whose second partial
derivatives are continuous in a connected volume τ and on its boundary surface
S, show that, if U and V are harmonic in τ , and if ∂U/∂n = ∂V /∂n on S,
then (U − V ) is constant in τ .

3
 (ii) Using spherical polar coordinates, find a harmonic function U , finite at the
origin, such that ∂U/∂r = 1 − 3 cos2 θ on the spherical surface r = 2.

16. A volume τ is bounded externally by a sphere S, of radius a and centre C, and

internally by a sphere S ′ , of centre C ′ , which lies wholly inside S. State Green’s
theorem and deduce that
Z   Z  
∂V ∂U ∂V ∂U
U −V dS + U −V dS = 0
S ∂n ∂n S′ ∂n ∂n

where U and V are functions of position such that ∇2 U = ∇2 V = 0 at all points

of τ and ∂/∂n denotes differentiation along the normal drawn outwards from τ .
A general point P inside S is at a distance R from C ′ and at a distance R′ from
the inverse point of C ′ with regard to S; if U = (1/R) − (a/bR′ ), where b = CC ′ ,
prove that ∇2 U = 0 at all points inside S (except C ′ ) and that, if P is on S,

∂U a2 − b 2
U = 0, =−
∂n aR3
Hence show that
a2 − b 2
Z Z  
V dS ∂V ∂V
+ U −V dS = 0
a S R3 S′ ∂n ∂n

and derive the limiting form of this equation as the radius of S ′ tends to zero.

17. Prove the Gauss divergence theorem and deduce Green’s theorem
Z Z
2 2


φ∇ ψ − ψ∇ φ dτ = (φ∇ψ − ψ∇φ) · dS,
τ S

where φ, ψ are functions of position defined in a region τ and on its boundary S.

Show that (cos λr)/r satisfies the equation

∇2 + λ2 φ = 0,

√
where r = (x2 + y 2 + z 2 ), in any region excluding the origin. If φ = Φ is any
solution of the above equation which has no singularity on or inside S, show that
the value of Φ at the origin, assumed to be inside S, is given by
Z  
1 ∂ cos λr cos λr ∂Φ
− Φ − dS
4π S ∂n r r ∂n

where ∂/∂n denotes differentiation along the outward normal to S.

18. Show that, if P (x, y, z), Q(x, y, z) and R(x, y, z) are continuon and single-valued
functions with continuous and single-valued partial derivatives then the condition
that the line integral
Z
[P (x, y, z)dx + Q(x, y, z)dy + R(x, y, z)dz]
C

shall be independent of path C in some simply connected region R is that

4
 ∂P (x, y, z) ∂Q(x, y, z) ∂Q(x, y, z) ∂R(x, y, z)
= , =
∂y ∂x ∂z ∂y
∂R(x, y, z) ∂P (x, y, z)
=
∂x ∂z
for every point in R.
Hence show that
Z 
y x xy 
dx + dy − 2 dz
C z z z
is independent of path, and evaluate it from (0, 0, 1) to (1, 1, 1)
19. (i) Evaluate the line integral
I  
xdy − ydx
c x2 + y 2 + 1
where C is the boundary of the minor segment of the circle x2 + y 2 = 1 cut
off by the chord x + y = 1.
(ii) Show that the line integral
Z
(yz dx + zx dy + xy dz)
PQ

is independent of the path of integration, and evaluate it when P and Q are

the points ( 1, 1, 2 ) and (3,2,1) respectively.

4 Special Functions
20. If Γ(1 · 1) = 0 · 951, find Γ(4 · 1) and Γ(−3 · 9).
21. Prove that ∞
tm−1 dt
Z
= B(m, n), (m, n > 0)
0 (1 + t)m+n
and hence show that Z π/2  
1√ 3 1
(tan θ)dθ = B ,
0 2 4 4
R∞ R 1 dx R π/2
22. Show that (a) 0 sech8 xdx = 16 1
, , (c) 0 sinn xdx =
1 1


35
, (b) 0 √(1−x 3) = 3 B 2 3
√ Γ( n+1
π 2 )
· Γ n +1 .
2 (2 )
23. Show that the value of the double integral
ZZ
x2/3 y 2/5 dxdy

taken over the circle x2 + y 2 = a2 is

5 7



a46/15 Γ 6

Γ 10
38
Γ 15

5
24. From the Euler definition of Γ(x) show that
 
d 1 1 1
{loge Γ(x + 1)} = lim loge n − − ... − ,
dx n→∞ x+1 x+2 x+n+1

and hence that

  Z 0
d
γ=− Γ(x + 1) = (loge t) e−t dt.
dx x=0 ∞

25. Show, using the beta-function, that

  2 !
1 √ 1
Γ = 4 (π)F √
4 2

where
! Z π/2
1 dθ
F √ = √
1 − 12 sin2 θ


2 0

is a complete elliptic integral of the first kind.

26. If

x √
π
Z
−t2
ϕ(x) = e dt and ϕ(∞) =
0 2
prove the following results
x3 x5 x7
(a) ϕ(x) = x√ − 3·1! + 5·2! − 7·3! + . . .,
π R x −t2
(b) ϕ(x) = 2 + ∞ e dt,
Rx 2 1 −x2
Rx 2
(c) ∞ e−t dt = − 2x e − 21 ∞ t12 e−t dt.
Hence, or otherwise, deduce that
√
π
 
−x2 1 1 3
ϕ(x) = −e − 2 3 + 3 5 − ...
2 2x 2 x 2x

27. By putting x = y in the relation

Z 1
Γ(x)Γ(y)
= B(x, y) = ux−1 (1 − u)y−1 du
Γ(x + y) 0

show that

1 x−1 1


[Γ(x)]2

1−2x Γ(x)Γ
Z
1 1 1 −t 2

= − τ τ dτ = 2 1
.
Γ(2x) 2 0 4 4 Γ x+ 2

Hence using the result

6
 √
 
1
Γ(x)Γ x + = 21−2x πΓ(2x)
2
(known as the ’duplication formula ’), show that
   
1 3 √
Γ Γ =π 2
4 4

5 Vectors
28. (i) Show that
div(u ∧ v) = v · curl u − u · curl v
for any two vector fields u and v. If curl a = b, and curl b = a, show that
(a) div(curl a ∧ curl b) = a2 − b2 , (b) ∇2 a + a = 0, ∇2 b + b = 0.
29. When a highly conducting homogeneous fluid moves steadily with velocity q in
a magnetic field of intensity H, it is known from magnetohydro. dynamics that
∇ ∧ (q ∧ H) = 0. For axi-symmetric incompressible flow, with z-axis as axis of
symmetry and (R, θ, z) as cylindrical polar coordinates, taking
q = U (R, z)R̂ + V (R, z)k, H = H(R, z)θ̂,
show, by forming ∇ ∧ (q ∧ H), that
∂ ∂
(HU ) + (HV ) = 0
∂R ∂z
Verify that if there exists a scalar function ψ = ψ(R, z) such that
1 ∂ψ 1 ∂ψ
U =− , V =
H ∂z H ∂R
then the last equation is satisfied and by using the equation of continuity for in-
compressible flow in the form ∇ · q = 0, show that
∂(ψ, R/H)
=0
∂(R, z)

30. Three vector fields E, H, and v satisfy the equations

∇ · E = ρ, ∇·H=0
1 ∂H 1 ∂E
∇∧E=− , ∇∧H= + ρv,
c ∂t c ∂t
ρ being a scalar field and c a constant. Assuming that E, H, v and ρ are at least
twice differentiable functions of x, y, z and t, establish the fory equations:
1 ∂ 2E 1 ∂
∇2 E − 2 2
= ∇ρ + 2 (ρv)
c ∂t c ∂t
2
1 ∂ H 1
∇2 H − 2 2 = − ∇ ∧ (ρv)
c ∂t c
∂ρ
∇ · (ρv) + =0
∂t
7
31. Given  
′ (β − 1)v · r
r =r+ − βt ,
v2
 
′ ∇·r
t =β t− 2 ,
c
where β = √ 1
, show that
{1−(v 2 /c2 )}

(β − 1)r · r′
 
′ ′
r=r + + βt ,
v2
r · r′
 
′
t=β t + 2
c

32. Given Maxwell’s equations

1 ∂H
div E = 0, curl E = − ,
c ∂t
1 ∂E
div H = 0, curl H = ,
c ∂t
where c is a constant, prove that
1 ∂ 2E 1 ∂ 2H
∇2 E = , ∇2 H =
c2 ∂t2 c2 ∂t2

6 ODEs
13. The vector r = (x, y, z) satisfies the vector equation
d2 r
 
e dr
m 2 = eE + ∧H
dt c dt
where E = (0, E, 0), H = (0, 0, H), and e, m, c, E, H are constants. Write the equa-
tion in component form and show by solving the equation that
cEt mc2 E
 
eH
x= − sin t ,
H eH 2 mc
mc2 E
  
eH
y= 1 − cos t ,
eH 2 mc
z=0
given that r = 0, ṙ = 0 at t = 0.
33. Solve the simultaneous equations
dx
+ k(y + z) = 0
dt
dy
+ k(z + x) = 0
dt
dz
+ k(x + y) = 0
dt
where k is a constant.

8
34. Show that if P (x) + Q(x) + 1 = 0, then y = ex is a solution of the equation

d2 y dy
2
+ P (x) + Q(x)y = 0
dx dx

Hence show that the general solution of the equation

d2 y dy
x 2 − (2x + 1) + (x + 1)y = 0
dx dx
is
y = Ax2 + B ex

35. Show that

d2 y
2
+ ω2y = 0
dx
( ω constant) has a non-zero solution satisfying the conditions y = 0 when x =
0, and y = 0 when x = l ( l constant) only if ω = nπ l
, where n is an integer.
(This infinite set of discrete values of ω is called the set of eigenvalues, and the
corresponding solutions the eigenfunctions).

7 series solution of ODEs

36. Show that the differential equation

d2 y dy
1 − x2 2


− 3x + k − 1 y=0
dx2 dx
(where k is a constant) has solutions of the form
∞
X
an xn+e
n=0

provided that c = 0 or 1 . Hence obtain two independent solutions, one of them in

form ∞
X (1 − k 2 ) (32 − k 2 ) . . . {(2n − 1)2 − k 2 } 2n
y =1+ x
n=1
(2n)!
and write down the general solution.

37. Obtain the solution

x2 x4 (−1)2n x2n
y = J0 (x) = 1 − + − · · · + + ...
22 22 · 42 22n (n!)2

of the differential equation

d2 y dy
x + + xy = 0
dx2 dx
Show that y = uJ0 is a second solution if

9
 Z
dx
u=
xJ02

and expand u in the form a + loge x + b2 x2 + . . ., where a is arbitrary and b2 is to

be found.

38. Show that Jn (x)/xn is a solution of

d2 y
 
1 + 2n dy
+ +y =0
dx2 x dx
√
and that (x)Jn (kx) is a solution of

d2 y 4n2 − 1
 
2
+ k − y=0
dx2 4x2
where, in both cases, n is a positive integer.
2
39. By putting y = ve−1/4x , obtain the solution of the equation

d2 y
 
1 1 2
+ 2n + − x y = 0
dx2 2 4

( n integral) in which y = 1 when x = 0, and in which v is a polynomial in x.

40. If Pn (z) satisfies Legendre’s equation

d2 P n dPn
1 − z2 2
− 2z + n(n + 1)Pn = 0
dz dz
dm Pn
show that V = dz m
satisfies the equation

d2 V dV
1 − z2 2
− 2(m + 1)z + {n(n + 1) − m(m + 1)}V = 0,
dz dz
m/2 dm Pn
and that W = (1 − z 2 ) dz m
satisfies

d2 W m2
 
2 dW
1−z − 2z + n(n + 1) − W =0
dz 2 dz 1 − z2

Hence show that sin θ dPd(cos

n (cos θ)
θ)
is a solution of

d2 W d
2
+ (W cot θ) + n(n + 1)W = 0 (C.U.)
dθ dθ
41. By means of the substitution

1
P (θ) = Q(θ)(sin θ)− 2

in Legendre’s equation

10
  
1 d dP
sin θ + n(n + 1)P = 0
sin θ dθ dθ

show that, when cosec θ ≪ (2n + 1), the solutions of Legendre’s equation are of the
form

1


− 12 sin n+ 2
θ
(sin θ)
cos
42. By writing Bessel’s equation in the form

d2 y 1 dy v2
 
+ + 1− 2 y =0
dx2 x dx x

and neglecting, for large x, the term v 2 /x2 , obtain the equation

d2 u
 
1
+ 1+ 2 u=0
dx2 4x
p
where u = (x)y. Hence neglecting, for large x, the term 1/4x2 , show that an
asymptotic form (x > 1) of the Bessel functions is

1
p (A cos x + B sin x)
(x)

8 Partial Differential Equation

43. Show that the solution of
∂ 2V ∂ 2V
+ =0
∂x2 ∂y 2
over the region 0 ≦ x ≦ a, 0 ≦ y ≦ a with V = 0 along the lines x = 0, x = a, y = 0
and V = V0 (= constant ) along y = a is

∞  
4V0 X cosech(2r + 1)π πy πx
V (x, y) = sinh(2r + 1) sin(2r + 1)
π r=0 2r + 1 a a

44. Obtain the general form of solutions periodic in t of the equation

∂ 2V ∂V
2
+V −4 =0
∂t ∂x
If, when x = 0, V = V0 sin 3t, show that, when x = 1, V oscillates between (approx-
imately) ±0.135V0 .
ANSWER V = (A cos pt + B sin pt)e(1−p )x/4 .
2

11
45. Obtain all solutions of the equation

∂ 2z ∂z
2
− =z
∂x ∂y
of the form z = (A cos kx + B sin kx)f (y), where A, B and k are constants. Find
a solution of the equation for which z = 0 when x = 0; z = 0 when x = π; z = x
when y = 1.
(−1)n −1 (n2 +1)(1−y)
ANSWER z = k e−(k +1)y (Ak cos kx + Bk sin kx), z = 2 ∞
P 2 P
n=1 n
e sin nx.

46. Show that the equation

∂V ∂ 2V
=k 2
∂t ∂x
(where k is a constant) has solutions of the type

∞
2
X
V = e−kr t (Ar cos rx + Br sin rx)
r=1

where An , Br are constants.

The initial conditions are

2V0 x
V (x, 0) = , (0 ≦ x ≦ a/2)
a
V (x, 0) = 0, (a/2 < x ≦ a)

and V (0, t) = V (a, t) = 0, where V0 and a are constants.

Find the form of the Fourier series giving V .
−(kn2 π 2 t)/a2
ANSWER: V = ∞ sin nπx
P
n=1 Bn e a
, where
 
4V0 1 nπ π nπ
Bn = 2 sin − cos
π n2 2 2n 2

47. Show that

V = J0 (kr) cos(kct + α)

is a solution of the equation

∂ 2V ∂ 2V
 
1 ∂V
2
= c2 2
+
∂t ∂r r ∂r

where k, c and α are constants. ( J0 is Bessel’s function of zero order

48. The temperature distribution T (x, t) along a thin bar of length a satifies the equa-
tion

∂ 2T 1 ∂T
= , (t ≧ 0, 0 ≦ x ≦ a)
∂x2 k ∂t
12
 where k is a constant, t denotes time and x is the distance from one of the ends.
Find T (x, t) if the bar is insulated at each end and the initial distribution is given
by

T (x, 0) = 2T0 cos2 (πx/a)

where T0 is a constant. Show that the bar eventually attains the uniform tempera-
ture T0 .


−4kπ2 t
ANSWER: T = T0 + 1 + cos 2πx

a
]e a2

49. Solve the equation

∂ 2θ 1 ∂θ
=
∂x2 k ∂t
where k is a constant, subject to the following conditions
(a) θ is finite as t → ∞ for 0 < x < l,
(b) θ = 100 for x = 0, t > 0,
∂θ
(c) ∂x = 0 for x = l, t > 0,
(d) θ = 100 + sin πx 2l
for 0 < x < l, t = 0.

−kπ 2 t
πx


ANSWER: θ = 100 + sin 2l
e 4l2

9 Tensors
50. REFER to Advanced mathematical methods for engineering and science students
/ G. Stephenson and P. M. Radmore

10 Laplace and Fourier Transform

51. REFER to Advanced mathematical methods for engineering and science students
/ G. Stephenson and P. M. Radmore

11 Applications of contour integration

52. REFER to Advanced mathematical methods for engineering and science students
/ G. Stephenson and P. M. Radmore

13