Calculus of Variations (Canonical equations)

In summary: Then, use the second equation to substitute for dy/dx. The resulting equation should be the same as the Euler-Lagrange equation for the given Lagrangian.In summary, the conversation is about a specific example involving a functional and its corresponding Lagrangian and Hamiltonian equations. The individual is asking how to determine if the Euler-Lagrange equation is equivalent to the canonical Euler equations in this example. The expert suggests differentiating the first equation with respect to "x" and substituting the second equation, resulting in an equation that should be equivalent to the Euler-Lagrange equation for the given Lagrangian.
  • #1
ElDavidas
80
0
I've been looking at this example for a while now. Could someone help?

"Take the functional to be

[itex] J(Y) = \int_{a}^{b} \( \alpha Y'^2 + \beta Y^2) dx [/itex]

For this

[itex] F(x,y,y') = \alpha y'^2 + \beta y^2 [/itex]

and [itex] p = \frac{ \partial F}{\partial y'} = 2 \alpha y' [/itex]
[itex] \Rightarrow y' = \frac{p}{2 \alpha}[/itex]

The Hamiltonian H is

[itex] H = py' - F = \frac {p^2}{4 \alpha} - \beta y^2[/itex]

So the canonical equations are

[itex] \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{ \partial H}{ \partial p} = \frac{p}{2 \alpha} [/itex]
and

[itex]- \frac{dp}{dx} = \frac{\partial H} {\partial y} = -2 \beta y [/itex]

I've also got the Euler Lagrange equation as

[itex] 2 \beta y - \frac{d}{dx} (2 \alpha y') = 0[/itex]

How can you tell that the Euler Lagrange equation is equivalent to the Canonical Euler equations in this set example?

Thanks in advance
 
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  • #2
Differentiate wrt "t" the eqn involving the first derivative of "y" and substitute the first derivative of p from the second and the resulting 2-nd order ODE in "y" will coincide with the Euler-Lagrange eqn for the lagrangian.
 
  • #3
dextercioby said:
Differentiate wrt "t" the eqn involving the first derivative of "y"

Sorry, what do you mean by this?
 
  • #4
Differentiate with respect to "x" (sorry, i thought it was "t", like in physics, where "t" stands for time) the first equation, the one involving dy/dx.
 

1. What is the Calculus of Variations?

The Calculus of Variations is a branch of mathematics that deals with finding the optimal or most efficient path or function for a given system. It involves finding the extreme values of a functional, which is a function that takes in other functions as inputs rather than just numbers.

2. What are the applications of Calculus of Variations?

Calculus of Variations has numerous applications in physics, engineering, economics, and other fields. It is used to solve optimization problems, such as finding the shortest path between two points or minimizing energy consumption. It is also used in the study of elasticity, fluid mechanics, and control theory.

3. What are the canonical equations in Calculus of Variations?

The canonical equations in Calculus of Variations are the Euler-Lagrange equations, which are used to find the necessary conditions for a function to be an extremum of a given functional. They are derived from the principle of least action, which states that the path or function taken by a system is the one that minimizes the action, a measure of the system's energy.

4. What is the difference between the direct method and the indirect method in Calculus of Variations?

The direct method in Calculus of Variations involves directly solving the Euler-Lagrange equations to find the optimal function, while the indirect method involves transforming the original problem into a boundary value problem and solving it using techniques from ordinary differential equations. The direct method is often more efficient, but the indirect method can be used for more complex problems.

5. How is the Calculus of Variations related to other branches of mathematics?

The Calculus of Variations is closely related to other branches of mathematics, such as differential equations, functional analysis, and optimization. It is also connected to physics, as it is used to model and solve problems in mechanics and other fields. It also has connections to geometry and topology, as the optimal paths and functions often have geometric interpretations.

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