On Φ-variation for 1-d scalar conservation laws

Let [Formula: see text] be a convex function satisfying [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. Consider the unique entropy admissible (i.e. Kružkov) solution [Formula: see text] of the scalar, 1-d Cauchy problem [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. For compactly supported data [Formula: see text] with bounded [Formula: see text]-variation, we realize the solution [Formula: see text] as a limit of front-tracking approximations and show that the [Formula: see text]-variation of (the right continuous version of) [Formula: see text] is non-increasing in time. We also establish the natural time-continuity estimate [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] depends on [Formula: see text]. Finally, according to a theorem of Goffman–Moran–Waterman, any regulated function of compact support has bounded [Formula: see text]-variation for some [Formula: see text]. As a corollary we thus have: if [Formula: see text] is a regulated function, so is [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text].