The wave equation, methods of solving and superposition of waves? I have some questions concerning the wave equation:
$${\partial^2 y \over \partial x^2} = {1\over c^2}{\partial^2 y \over \partial t^2}$$ 
Firstly, does the method of separation of variables give all the solutions? I presume not, since we will only get solutions of the form $y(x,t)=X(x)T(t)$ and I don't think all other solutions can be formed from the superposition of these types of waves.
Secondly, on the topic of superposition. Let's say I have a finite string length $L$ and I put an arbitrary wave on the string. If I allow this wave to take any form, can we form that wave from the superposition of stationary waves only or do we need travelling waves? (i.e. is there a wave that cannot be formed only from stationary waves on a finite (or infinite for that matter) string?
 A: The answer to the first part of my question is on wiki, so I will not answer that here. 
After some research I have come up with the following answer to the second part of my questions. There are 4 types of waves we need to consider:


*

*Travelling waves (also known as progressive waves). (TW)

*Compound waves (CW)

*Stationary waves (SW)

*Infinite (harmonic) plane waves. (IPW)


The IPW are basically the 'normal modes' of the infinite string. They are the only type that can be superimposed to form any TW. IPW can also be superimposed to form the other two types of wave (SW and CW) (in a given region where a finite string lies). SW's can be superimposed to form CW only but not TW. All of this information can be summarised on the following diagram.

Where an arrow pointing from wave A to wave B indicates the wave B can be made from the superposition of wave A.
Sources: 


*

*http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/compound+wave

*https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Geqi-oR8lR4C&pg=PA95&dq=superposition+of+standing+waves&hl=en&sa=X&ei=WfEPVdCDIq7B7AbpvYGADA&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=superposition%20of%20standing%20waves&f=false
3.http://www.colorado.edu/physics/EducationIssues/baily/courses/BailySP12_GroupVelocity.pdf


*Vibrations and Waves by A.P. French pg 205

