On symbolic solutions of algebraic partial differential equations

Abstract

In this paper we present a general procedure for solving first-order autonomous algebraic partial differential equations in two independent variables. The method uses proper rational parametrizations of algebraic surfaces and generalizes a similar procedure for first-order autonomous ordinary differential equations. We will demonstrate in examples that, depending on certain steps in the procedure, rational, radical or even non-algebraic solutions can be found. Solutions computed by the procedure will depend on two arbitrary independent constants. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.