Solving Inhomogeneous Linear Partial Differential Equations

Lagrange's variation-of-constantsmethod for solving linear inhomogeneous ordinary differential equations (ode's) is replaced by a method based on the Loewy decomposition of the corresponding homogeneous equation. It uses only properties of the equations and not of its solutions. As a consequence it has the advantage that it may be generalized for partial differential equations (pde's). It is applied to equations of second order in two independent variables, and to a certain system of third-order pde's. Therewith all possible linear inhomogeneous pde's are covered that may occur when third-order linear homogeneous pde's in two independent variables are solved.