Propagation Relations for Solutions of Some Higher Order Cauchy Problems

The Huygens' property is exploited to study propagation relations for solutions of certain types of linear higher order Cauchy problems. Motivated by the solution properties of the abstract wave problem, addition formulas are developed for the solution operators of these problems. The application of these alternative forms of the solution operators to data leads to connecting operator relations between distinct solutions of the problems at different times. We examine this solution behaviour for both analytic and abstract Cauchy problems. A basic algorithm for constructing addition formulas for solutions of ordinary differential equations is included.