Partial Differential Equations of Mixed Type: Analysis and Applications

Abstract: Partial differential equations (PDEs) are at the heart of many mathematical and scientific advances. While great progress has been made on the theory of PDEs of standard types during the last eight decades, the analysis of nonlinear PDEs of mixed type is still in its infancy. The aim of this expository paper is to show, through several longstanding fundamental problems in fluid mechanics, differential geometry, and other areas, that many nonlinear PDEs arising in these areas are no longer of standard types, but lie at the boundaries of the classification of PDEs or, indeed, go beyond the classification to be of mixed type. Some interrelated connections, historical perspectives, recent developments, and current trends in the analysis of nonlinear PDEs of mixed type are also presented.