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Let $$ \mathcal{L}\equiv\sum_{i,j}^{n}a_{i,j}\frac{\partial^{2}}{\partial x_{i}\,\partial x_{j}}+\sum_{i}^{n}b_{i}\frac{\partial}{\partial x_{i}}+c $$ be uniformly elliptic on $\Omega\equiv\mathbb{R}^{n}\times\left(0,T\right)$. Let $$ \mathcal{M\equiv L}-\frac{\partial}{\partial t} $$ Consider the parabolic equality $$ \mathcal{M}u=f\text{ on }\Omega. $$ Lastly, suppose $u\left(\mathbf{x},0\right)$ is monotone increasing in $\mathbf{x}$ and that $f\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)$ is monotone decreasing in $\mathbf{x}$ for all times $t$. A function $g:\mathbb{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ is monotone increasing if for all $\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y}\in\mathbb{R}^n$, $g\left(\mathbf{x}\right)\leq g\left(\mathbf{y}\right)$ whenever $\mathbf{x}\leq \mathbf{y}$. Monotone decreasing is defined similarly.

First, consider the case of $a_{i,j}$, $b_{i}$, $c$ being functions of $t$ only. Define $v\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)=u\left(\mathbf{x}-\epsilon,t\right)$ (where $\epsilon \in \mathbb{R}^n$ with $\epsilon > 0$) and note that $$ \mathcal{M}v=f\left(\mathbf{x}-\epsilon,t\right)\text{ on }\Omega. $$ Let $w=u-v$ so that $$ \mathcal{M}w=f\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)-f\left(\mathbf{x}-\epsilon,t\right)\leq0\text{ on }\Omega. $$ Since $u$ is monotone at time zero, we have $$w\left(\mathbf{x},0\right)=u\left(\mathbf{x},0\right)-v\left(\mathbf{x},0\right)=u\left(\mathbf{x},0\right)-u\left(\mathbf{x}-\epsilon,0\right)\geq0 \text{ on } \mathbb{R}^n.$$ These last two inequalities yield $w\geq0$ (and hence $u$ is monotone in $\mathbf{x}$) everywhere in $\Omega$.

However, this argument is rather restrictive, as it requires the assumption that the coefficients $a_{i,j}$, $b_{i}$, and $c$ are constant in space (i.e. w.r.t. $\mathbf{x}$). Does anyone know of any relaxations to the above? (see edit below)

EDIT: Some things were forgotten that are important: We need to assume the boundedness of the coefficients in the operator, along with $$\liminf_{\left|\mathbf{x}\right|\rightarrow\infty} \mathbf{u} \geq 0$$ for all times.

EDIT: I have found a potentially interesting relaxation. Suppose $\mathbf{u}$ is convex in $\mathbf{x}$ on $\Omega$. Let $A\in\mathbb{R}^{n\times n}$ be the matrix with $a_{j,k}$ in the $j^{\text{th}}$ row, $k^{\text{th}}$ column. Since $\mathcal{L}$ is assumed to be uniformly elliptic, $A$ is positive semidefinite. Denote this by $A\succeq0$. Now, relax the requirement on the coefficients $a_{j,k}$ as follows: $A\left(\mathbf{x}+\epsilon,t\right)-A\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)\succeq0$ on $\Omega$ for all $\epsilon>0$. Note that in the one-dimensional case (i.e. $n=1$), this requirement becomes $a\equiv a_{1,1}$ is monotone increasing in space. Noting that $$ \left(A\left(\mathbf{x}+\epsilon,t\right)-A\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)\right)\circ\left[\nabla_{\mathbf{x}}u_{i}\right]\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)\succeq0 $$ where $\nabla$ denotes the Hessian operator and $\circ$ the Hadamard (entrywise) product, we get $$ \sum_{i,j}^{n}a_{i,j}\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x_{i}\,\partial x_{j}}\leq\sum_{i,j}^{n}a_{i,j}\left(\mathbf{x}+\epsilon,t\right)\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x_{i}\,\partial x_{j}}. $$ Using the above, we arrive once again at $\mathcal{M}w\leq 0$. This brings me to a more interesting question...

Are there better relaxations than the above when $u\left(\mathbf{x},t\right)$ is convex in $\mathbf{x}$?

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    $\begingroup$ What is $\epsilon$ for the case $n>1$ and how monotonicity in this case is defined? $\endgroup$
    – Andrew
    Jun 27, 2013 at 20:23
  • $\begingroup$ Good question, sorry for the ambiguity. $\epsilon$ is in $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $\epsilon > 0$. A function $f:A \rightarrow B$ defined on partially ordered sets $A$ and $B$ is monotone (increasing) if for all $x,y\in A$ $f\left(x\right)\leq f\left(y\right)$ whenever $x\leq y$. Monotone decreasing is defined similarly. (I have now added these edits to the original question) $\endgroup$
    – parsiad
    Jun 27, 2013 at 20:27
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    $\begingroup$ There seem to be some assumptions on your partial order which are not explicit. Is it compatible with sums for instance ? With scaling by positive constants ? If you said which order you have in mind, your question would be clearer I think. $\endgroup$ Jul 10, 2013 at 18:07

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I am not convinced the argument works under the current specifications you have given (it can, but you need to make them). You claim that the last two inequalities lead to the desired result (I assume you are using a maximum principle to achieve this). However, not only is the domain unbounded in this problem, but potentially, the coefficient functions (for example $c(t) = 1/t$ for all $t>0$) and the solutions. I am not aware of any maximum principles for parabolic operators that can handle arbitrarily large solutions (or the function $c$ above). Of course, if you are using some other means to obtain these inequalities then I admit that this answer is probably unhelpful.

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  • $\begingroup$ You're right. I do have to assume that the coefficients appearing in the operator are at least continuous and bounded. I don't think the (un)boundedness of the domain is an issue. $\endgroup$
    – parsiad
    Jul 12, 2013 at 10:01
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    $\begingroup$ You also need to specify the behaviour of the solution to the differential inequality as $|x|\to\infty$ (namely, how the solution can blow up ... or not blow up). See the link below for a good reason why this is required. Additionally, with regard to max principles you are intending to use, you can probably include spatial inhomogeneity in the coefficients without messing things up too much. mathoverflow.net/questions/82408/… $\endgroup$
    – JCM
    Jul 12, 2013 at 14:04
  • $\begingroup$ Oh right. I forgot to mention that. You are absolutely correct. I think something weaker than a growth condition is sufficient here, such as $\liminf_{\left|x\right|\rightarrow\infty} \mathbf{u} \geq 0$. Adding to the edits. $\endgroup$
    – parsiad
    Jul 13, 2013 at 2:27
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    $\begingroup$ Now your results seem reasonable to me, good. $\endgroup$
    – JCM
    Jul 16, 2013 at 16:25
  • $\begingroup$ When you get some of these results written up, please let me know. I'm quite interested to see them as they are not too far removed from some stuff I did a while ago. $\endgroup$
    – JCM
    Jul 19, 2013 at 14:02

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