Check sturm-liouville orthogonality problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Sturm-Liouville orthogonality problem, specifically focusing on proving the orthogonality of the derivatives of functions satisfying the Sturm-Liouville equation under certain boundary conditions. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanations related to the properties of eigenfunctions and their orthogonality.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes to prove that the derivatives of functions \( u' \) and \( v' \) are orthogonal with respect to a weighting factor \( p \) by using the orthogonality integral \( \langle u'|v' \rangle_p \).
  • Another participant questions the validity of the integration by parts approach, suggesting that it leads to an identity rather than a conclusion about orthogonality.
  • A participant clarifies the boundary conditions being used, which are intended to make certain terms vanish in the integrals.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of the original Sturm-Liouville equation and the orthogonality of the eigenfunctions with respect to the weighting function \( w \).
  • One participant attempts to manipulate the Sturm-Liouville equation to derive the orthogonality condition, expressing concern about the handling of the parameter \( \lambda \).
  • Another participant acknowledges a typographical error in their previous message and expresses appreciation for the assistance received in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of the integration by parts method and the implications of the boundary conditions. There is no consensus on the correctness of the proposed proofs or the necessity of additional conditions.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing assumptions regarding the boundary conditions and the dependence on the definitions of orthogonality in the context of the Sturm-Liouville problem. The discussion does not resolve whether the proposed methods are valid or if alternative approaches are necessary.

ognik
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Functions u, v satisfy the S-L eqtn $ [py']'+\lambda wy=0 $. u,v satisfy boundary conditions that lead to orthogonality. Prove that for appropriate boundary conditions, u' and v' are orthogonal with p as weighting factor.

I'm sure I need to use the orthogonality integral $ \langle u'|v' \rangle_p $ and show $ \int_{a}^{b}u'^*v'p \,dx=0 $, then u',v' orthogonal and p is the weighting factor

By parts, and taking u,v real for now to save writing the *, leaving off the limits and dx for brevity, $ \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx = v'pu-\int u(v'p)' $
This is promising because from boundary conditions the 1st term = 0 for both limits.

$ \int u(v'p)' = uv'p - \int v'pu' $ and again the 1st term vanishes from boundary conditions.

This leaves me with $ \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx = - \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx $, so that $ \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx $ must = 0. (u,v complex makes no difference to the above.)

Does this all work OK please?
 
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What are the BC's? If you look carefully, your two by-parts integrations are telling you exactly the same thing. That is, your second by-parts produced the same equation as the first one. I don't think it's warranted to conclude that $\displaystyle \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx = - \int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx.$ You might need the original S-L equation. And you might need the orthogonality of the eigenfunctions themselves w.r.t. the weighting function $w$.
 
Thanks Ackbach, the BCs I am using are $ pu^*v'|_{x=a} = 0$ , ditto for x=b. Those make the 1st terms in my integrals vanish (0 - 0= 0).

I was consciously trying a repeated integral approach, could you give me a bit more detail on why you are not comfortable with it?

(repeated integral example: $ I = \int e^{x} sin(x) dx = -e^xcos(x) + e^xsin(x) - ∫ e^xsin(x) dx $
then $ 2I= -e^xcos(x) + e^xsin(x),$
then $ \int e^{x} sin(x) dx = \frac{1}{2} \left( -e^xcos(x) + e^xsin(x)\right) $ In my case I get $ 2I=0 $...

The S-L eqtn I am aware of is $ [pu']' - qy + \lambda w y = 0$ , if this is what you mean, I tried multiplying each by the opposite function and then subtracting - but couldn't make that work ...

I had used the orthogonality by applying the orthogonality integral, are there other orthogonality conditions I don't know of (or didn't think of)?
 
Yes, while the repeated by-parts trick can work in some situations, it doesn't work here. The problem is that you get an identity. So, just to make things clear, you have
\begin{align*}
\int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx &= (v'pu)|_{a}^{b}-\int_a^b u(v'p)' \, dx \\
\int_a^b u(v'p)' \, dx &= (uv'p)|_a^b - \int_a^b v'pu' \, dx.
\end{align*}
Plugging the second by-parts into the first yields
$$\int_{a}^{b}u'v'p \,dx=(v'pu)|_{a}^{b}-\left[(uv'p)|_a^b - \int_a^b v'pu' \, dx\right]=\int_a^b v'pu' \, dx, $$
an identity. That is, you got back to where you started. So the repeated by-parts fails in such a case.

You do have an additional orthogonality condition: $u$ and $v$ are orthogonal w.r.t. the weight function $w$. That is,
$$\int_a^b uvw \, dx=0.$$
Now, using the fact that $[py']'+\lambda wy=0,$ or $[py']'=-\lambda wy$, I wonder if you can massage your first by-parts to get what you want?
 
Hows this?

$ [pv']=-\lambda vw$ times by u: $ uvw=-\frac{1}{\lambda}[pv']u $

$\therefore \int uvw=-\frac{1}{\lambda} \int [pv']u =0, \lambda \ne 0$ then $ \int[pv']'u = 0 $

By parts: $ upv'-\int pv'u' = 0 $ but by BC's, upv'= 0 for both limits, so $\int pv'u' =0 $ therefore u', v' orthog.
 
I just noticed I don't need to move the $\lambda$ across. Otherwise would appreciate just a yes if this is OK?
 
ognik said:
Hows this?

$ [pv']=-\lambda vw$ times by u: $ uvw=-\frac{1}{\lambda}[pv']u $

Sorry, I had forgotten about this thread! This needs to be $[pv']'=-\lambda vw$. You've got the right idea, though.

$\therefore \int uvw=-\frac{1}{\lambda} \int [pv']u =0, \lambda \ne 0$ then $ \int[pv']'u = 0 $

By parts: $ upv'-\int pv'u' = 0 $ but by BC's, upv'= 0 for both limits, so $\int pv'u' =0 $ therefore u', v' orthog.

I think if you fix the above issue, you'll have it.
 
Oops, sorry - just typos leaving out the '. Your help always appreciated, while I'm a bit more confident these days, I still wish I had answers to the books exercises so I didn't have to bother you guys as much ...
 

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