Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Retrospective Theses and Dissertations Dissertations 1967 A numerical method of characteristics for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations David Lenz Simpson Iowa State University Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd Part of the Mathematics Commons Recommended Citation Simpson, David Lenz, "A numerical method of characteristics for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations " (1967). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 3430. https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/rtd/3430 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Iowa State University Capstones, Theses and Dissertations at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Retrospective Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. This dissertation has been microfilmed exactly as received 68-2862 SIMPSON, David Lenz, 1938- A NUMERICAL METHOD OF CHARACTERISTICS FOR SOLVING HYPERBOLIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS. Iowa State University, PluD., 1967 Mathematics University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan A NUMERICAL METHOD OF CHARACTERISTICS FOR SOLVING HYPERBOLIC PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS by David Lenz Simpson A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Major Subject: Mathematics Approved: Signature was redacted for privacy. In Cijarge of Major Work Signature was redacted for privacy. Headead of^ajorof Major DepartmentDepartmen Signature was redacted for privacy. Dean Graduate Co11^^ Iowa State University of Science and Technology Ames, Iowa 1967 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. DISCUSSION OF THE ALGORITHM 3 III. DISCUSSION OF LOCAL ERROR, EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS THEOREMS 10 IV.