Linear Elliptic Equations

Abstract

The first major topic of this chapter is the Dirichlet problem for the Laplace operator on a compact domain with boundary: 0.1 (formula presented) We also consider the nonhomogeneous problem Δu = g and allow for lower-order terms. As in Chap. 2, Δ is the Laplace operator determined by a Riemannian metric. In §1 we establish some basic results on existence and regularity of solutions, using the theory of Sobolev spaces. In §2 we establish maximum principles, which are useful for uniqueness theorems and for treating (0.1) for f continuous, among other things.