$$
\newcommand{\uex}{{u_{\small\mbox{e}}}}
\newcommand{\half}{\frac{1}{2}}
\newcommand{\halfi}{{1/2}}
\newcommand{\xpoint}{\boldsymbol{x}}
\newcommand{\normalvec}{\boldsymbol{n}}
\newcommand{\Oof}[1]{\mathcal{O}(#1)}
\newcommand{\Ix}{\mathcal{I}_x}
\newcommand{\Iy}{\mathcal{I}_y}
\newcommand{\It}{\mathcal{I}_t}
\newcommand{\setb}[1]{#1^0} % set begin
\newcommand{\sete}[1]{#1^{-1}} % set end
\newcommand{\setl}[1]{#1^-}
\newcommand{\setr}[1]{#1^+}
\newcommand{\seti}[1]{#1^i}
\newcommand{\Real}{\mathbb{R}}
$$
Step 3: Algebraic version of the PDE
Replace derivatives by differences:
$$
\begin{equation}
\frac{u_i^{n+1} - 2u_i^n + u^{n-1}_i}{\Delta t^2} =
c^2\frac{u_{i+1}^{n} - 2u_i^n + u^{n}_{i-1}}{\Delta x^2},
\tag{7}
\end{equation}
$$
In operator notation:
$$
\begin{equation}
[D_tD_t u = c^2 D_xD_x]^{n}_i
\tag{8}
\end{equation}
$$
