Calculus of Variations (Canonical equations)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between the Euler-Lagrange equation and the canonical equations in the context of the calculus of variations. Participants explore how to demonstrate the equivalence of these two formulations using a specific functional.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a functional and derives the Hamiltonian and canonical equations from it.
  • Another participant suggests differentiating an equation involving the first derivative of "y" and substituting to show equivalence with the Euler-Lagrange equation.
  • A third participant seeks clarification on the differentiation process mentioned in the previous post.
  • A later reply corrects the differentiation variable from "t" to "x," indicating a misunderstanding related to the context of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the method to demonstrate the equivalence of the Euler-Lagrange equation and the canonical equations, and there is some confusion regarding the differentiation variable.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the definitions of variables and the context of differentiation, which may not be fully articulated by participants.

ElDavidas
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I've been looking at this example for a while now. Could someone help?

"Take the functional to be

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

For this

F(x,y,y') = \alpha y'^2 + \beta y^2

and p = \frac{ \partial F}{\partial y'} = 2 \alpha y'
\Rightarrow y' = \frac{p}{2 \alpha}

The Hamiltonian H is

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

So the canonical equations are

\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{ \partial H}{ \partial p} = \frac{p}{2 \alpha}
and

- \frac{dp}{dx} = \frac{\partial H} {\partial y} = -2 \beta y

I've also got the Euler Lagrange equation as

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

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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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.
 
dextercioby said:
Differentiate wrt "t" the eqn involving the first derivative of "y"

Sorry, what do you mean by this?
 
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.
 

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