Integrals and dirac delta function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating an integral involving the Dirac delta function, specifically the integral of the form \(\int f(q+T)\delta(t-q)dq\) with limits from negative to positive infinity. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the implications of the delta function and the shifting of the function \(f(q)\) due to the variable \(T\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how the Dirac delta function samples the shifted function \(f(q+T)\) and questions the role of the variables \(q\) and \(t\) in the integral. They speculate that the result might be \(f(t+T)\) and explore the implications of the delta function's properties.

Discussion Status

Some participants confirm the original poster's analysis, indicating that their reasoning aligns with the expected interpretation of the integral involving the delta function. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of the delta function in this context.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions difficulties with LaTeX formatting, which may impact their ability to communicate mathematical expressions clearly. There is also a reference to the need for further learning about LaTeX in the context of the forum.

EvLer
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hello again,
i have an integral to solve and not sure how to approach this:

[tex]\int f(q+T)\delta (t-q)dq[/tex]

and the boundaries of integral are -inf +inf couldn't figure it out with latex.
what I know about this is that if delta function is integrated like this, it would be just the value of the function f(q) at some point. What bothers me is that f(q) is shifted to the right and I am not sure where the dirac delta function samples f(q). actually, I think I'm sort of confused...with all the variables in there q and t??
Any help is very much appreciated.

edit: my best estimation of the solution to this is f(t+T)?
not sure if that's correct, but [tex]\delta (-t) = \delta (t)[/tex], so [tex]\delta (t-q) = \delta (q-t)[/tex] which means that the integral = f(q + T) evaluated at q = t, i.e. value of f(t + T)? :confused:
 
Last edited:
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You got it right, and your analysis is correct.

Carl
 
EvLer said:
hello again,
i have an integral to solve and not sure how to approach this:

[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} f(q+T)\delta (t-q)dq[/tex]

and the boundaries of integral are -inf +inf couldn't figure it out with latex.
... :confused:
You mean, like this :smile:
 
Thanks for checking my work and ... um... Latex (i still don't know how to do that, will have to read tutorials in Physics section).
 
EvLer said:
Thanks for checking my work and ... um... Latex (i still don't know how to do that, will have to read tutorials in Physics section).
If you click on the "quote" button at the bottom of my post, you can see the latex code I used. Or, the latex code anyone else has used.

For yourself, or for anyone esle reading, you can do subscripts and superscripts with the undescore (_) and carat (^) characters.
For example, x^2 becomes [tex]x^2[/tex] and x_2 becomes [tex]x_2[/tex].

The underscore and carat characters always operate on the next "object" following them. The object can be a single character or it can be a group of characters if they are enclosed within curly brackets - {}.
So,
\int_2^3 will give [tex]\int_2^3[/tex] while \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} gives [tex]\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}[/tex]
 

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