Exact solutions to the double sinh-Gordon equation by the Tanh method and a variable separated ODE method

New exact travelling wave solutions for the double sinh-Gordon equation and its generalized form are formally derived by using the tanh method and the variable separated ODE method. The Painleve property v = e(u) is employed to support the tanh method in deriving exact solutions. The work emphasizes the power of the methods in providing distinct solutions of different physical structures. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.