Resolving a Complex Identity: Collaborative Proof Approach

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Orion1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Identity Proof
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the symbolic resolution of a complex mathematical identity involving a function P(r) and variables r and u. Participants explore various algebraic manipulations to equate the left-hand side (LHS) and right-hand side (RHS) of the identity, seeking collaborative input to clarify their approaches and reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in resolving the LHS of the identity algebraically and seeks collaboration.
  • Another participant attempts to equate the LHS with the RHS, suggesting a factorization approach and deriving an expression for u.
  • A later post questions the need to resign from the problem, suggesting that reversing steps in the derivation could lead to a solution.
  • Further contributions involve putting the LHS over a common denominator, leading to a simplified expression that appears to confirm the identity.
  • One participant acknowledges the collaborative effort and expresses gratitude for the assistance received in solving the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion includes multiple competing views on the best approach to resolve the identity. While some participants find success in their methods, others express uncertainty or resignation, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved in terms of a definitive consensus on the most effective resolution strategy.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various algebraic techniques, and there are indications of missing assumptions or steps that could affect the resolution of the identity. The complexity of the identity and the involvement of the function P(r) add layers of difficulty that are not fully resolved in the discussion.

Orion1
Messages
961
Reaction score
3


I am having difficulty symbolically resolving the LHS of this identity algebraically:

\frac{r}{2} \left[ \left(8 \pi P(r) + \frac{1}{r^2} \right) \frac{r}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{r^2} \right] = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\left(4 \pi r P(r) + \frac{1}{2r} \right) \frac{r}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{2r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\left( 4 \pi r^2 P(r) + \frac{1}{2} \right) \frac{1}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{2r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\frac{4 \pi r^2 P(r)}{r-2 u}+\frac{1}{2 (r-2 u)}-\frac{1}{2 r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

Any collaboration would be greatly appreciated.

[/Color]
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org

Attempt to resolve LHS with RHS:
\frac{4 \pi r^2 P(r)}{r-2 u}+\frac{1}{2 (r-2 u)}-\frac{1}{2 r} = \frac{4 \pi r^2 P(r)}{r - 2u} + \frac{u}{r(r - 2u)}

Identity:
\frac{1}{2 (r-2 u)}-\frac{1}{2 r} = \frac{u}{r(r - 2u)}

Factor:
\frac{1}{2} \left( \frac{1}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{r} \right) = \frac{u}{r(r - 2u)}
u = \frac{r(r - 2u)}{2} \left( \frac{1}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{r} \right)
\frac{1}{2} [r - (r - 2u )] = u
u = u

Resigned.
[/Color]
 
Last edited:
Orion1 said:
I am having difficulty symbolically resolving the LHS of this identity algebraically:

\frac{r}{2} \left[ \left(8 \pi P(r) + \frac{1}{r^2} \right) \frac{r}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{r^2} \right] = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\left(4 \pi r P(r) + \frac{1}{2r} \right) \frac{r}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{2r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\left( 4 \pi r^2 P(r) + \frac{1}{2} \right) \frac{1}{r - 2u} - \frac{1}{2r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\frac{4 \pi r^2 P(r)}{r-2 u}+\frac{1}{2 (r-2 u)}-\frac{1}{2 r} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

Any collaboration would be greatly appreciated.

[/Color]

Put the left-hand side over a common denominator. You're nearly there!
 
Orion1 said:
Attempt to resolve LHS with RHS:
...
Identity:
...
Factor:
...
Resigned.
Why resign? In the domain where your steps were reversible, doesn't reversing your steps do exactly what you want?
 

LHS over common denomonator:
\frac{8 \pi r^3 P(r)}{2r (r-2 u)}+\frac{r}{2r (r - 2 u)}-\frac{r - 2u}{2 r(r - 2u)} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\frac{8 \pi r^3 P(r) + r - (r - 2u)}{2 r(r - 2u)} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\frac{8 \pi r^3 P(r) + 2 u}{2 r (r-2 u)} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}

\boxed{\frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)} = \frac{4 \pi r^3 P(r) + u}{r(r - 2u)}}
[/Color]

Hurkyl said:
doesn't reversing your steps do exactly what you want?
[/Color]

Affirmative, there was nothing left to prove at that point, hence resign. However the LHS common denominator proof approach is what I was searching for.

Thanks johnshade, you just helped me solve a PHD level equation!
[/Color]
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
888
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
11K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K