Sturm-Liouville Problem Cheat Sheet

  • MHB
  • Thread starter Ackbach
  • Start date
In summary, the theorem states that the only solutions to the Sturm-Liouville problem are real when the condition that the function p(x)>0 fails is replaced by one of the following: classical separated boundary conditions at each endpoint, or periodic boundary conditions. The corollaries state that if one of these conditions fails, then the classical separated boundary condition at that endpoint is replaced by one that requires that y(x)<infinity at that endpoint.
  • #1
Ackbach
Gold Member
MHB
4,155
89
This is a helpful document I got from one of my DE's teachers in graduate school, and I've toted it around with me. I will type it up here, as well as attach a pdf you can download.

THEOREM: Consider the Sturm-Liouville problem:
$$p(x) \, y''+p'(x) \, y'+q(x) \, y=k \, y$$
on the interval $[a,b]$ with $p(x)$ and $q(x)$ continuous, and $p(x)>0$. Assume either classical separated boundary conditions, namely, one of:
$$y(x)=0,\qquad y'(x)=0, \qquad y'(x)=c\, y(x)$$
at each endpoint $x=a$ and $x=b$; or else periodic boundary conditions:
$$y(a)=y(b), \qquad y'(a)=y'(b).$$
Then:
  1. the only solutions are for $k$ real.
  2. the set of all linearly independent solutions is complete for the usual
    space of functions.
  3. the set of linearly independent solutions is orthogonal.

COROLLARY: If the condition $p(x)>0$ fails because, at one endpoint, $p(x)=0$, then the classical separated boundary condition at that endpoint is replaced by:
$$y(x)<\infty$$
at that endpoint.

COROLLARY: If the Sturm-Liouville problem is modified by:
$$p(x) \, y''+p'(x) \, y'+q(x) \, y=k \, r(x) \, y$$
with $r(x)$ positive and continuous, and all other conditions the same, then the conclusions of the Theorem are still true, except that the orthogonality conclusion 3. is replaced by a "weighted orthogonality" with weighting function $r(x)$:
$$\int_a^b y_n(x) \, y_m(x) \, r(x) \, dx=0 \quad \text{whenever} \quad n\not=m.$$

Example 1: $y''=ky$ on $[0,\ell]$ with $y(0)=0, \; y(\ell)=0$. Then there are solutions only for $k=-\lambda_n^2=-\dfrac{n^2 \pi^2}{\ell^2}, \; n=1,2,3,\dots$ and $y_n=c_n \, \sin\left(\dfrac{n \pi x}{\ell} \right)$. This gives the Sine series.

Example 2: $y''=ky$ on $[0,\ell]$ with $y'(0)=0, \; y'(\ell)=0$. Then there are solutions for $k=-\lambda_n^2=-\dfrac{n^2 \pi^2}{\ell^2}, \; n=1,2,3,\dots$ and for $k=0$. In the second case, $y=1$ and for $n=1,2,3,\dots, \; y_n=c_n \, \cos\left(\dfrac{n \pi x}{\ell} \right)$. This gives the Cosine series.

Example 3: $y''=ky$ on $[a,b]$ with $y(a)=y(b), \; y'(a)=y'(b)$. Then there are solutions for $k=-\lambda_n^2=-\dfrac{4 n^2 \pi^2}{(b-a)^2}, \; n=1,2,3,\dots$ as well as $k=0$. Further, for each $n\ge 1$ there are two linearly independent solutions, $y_n=a_n \, \sin\left(\dfrac{2n\pi x}{b-a}\right)$ and $y_n=b_n \, \cos\left(\dfrac{2n \pi x}{b-a}\right)$. For $k=0, \; y_0=a_0$. This gives the Fourier series.

Example 4: $xy''+y'=kxy$ with $y(0)<\infty$ and $y(\ell)=0$. There are solutions for certain $k_n=-\lambda_n^2<0, \; n=1,2,3,\dots$ Call the solutions $g_n(x)$. Then the functions $g_n(x)$ are complete on the interval $[0,\ell]$ and are
orthogonal with respect to the weight $x$:
$$\int_0^{\ell}g_m(x) \, g_n(x) \, x \, dx=0 \quad \text{whenever} \quad n\not=m.$$
It turns out that $g_n(x)=J_0(\lambda_n x)$ for the zeroth Bessel function $J_0(x)$.

Attached file: https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/4725
 

Attachments

  • Sturm-Liouville Cheat Sheet.pdf
    83.6 KB · Views: 163
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hope this will be helpful for students. Thanks for sharing!
 
  • Like
Likes Ackbach

1. What is the Sturm-Liouville problem?

The Sturm-Liouville problem is a mathematical problem that involves finding solutions to a second-order linear differential equation, subject to certain boundary conditions. It is named after mathematicians Jacques Charles François Sturm and Joseph Liouville.

2. What is the significance of the Sturm-Liouville problem?

The Sturm-Liouville problem has many applications in physics, engineering, and mathematics. It is used to model phenomena such as heat transfer, fluid flow, and quantum mechanics. It also has important implications in spectral theory and the theory of orthogonal functions.

3. What are the key components of the Sturm-Liouville problem?

The Sturm-Liouville problem consists of a differential equation, boundary conditions, and a domain or interval on which the problem is to be solved. The differential equation is typically in the form of a second-order linear differential equation with known coefficients. The boundary conditions specify the behavior of the solution at the boundaries of the domain.

4. What are some common techniques for solving the Sturm-Liouville problem?

Some common techniques for solving the Sturm-Liouville problem include separation of variables, the method of Frobenius, and the method of variation of parameters. Other techniques, such as Green's functions and the shooting method, can also be used in certain cases.

5. Are there any real-world examples of the Sturm-Liouville problem?

Yes, there are many real-world examples of the Sturm-Liouville problem. One example is the modeling of heat transfer in a rod with insulated ends. Another example is the study of natural frequencies of a vibrating string. Additionally, the Sturm-Liouville problem is used in the study of quantum mechanics and the Schrödinger equation.

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
7
Views
393
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
52
Views
616
  • Differential Equations
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Differential Equations
Replies
1
Views
755
  • Differential Equations
Replies
1
Views
668
Back
Top