Complex Conjugates with sin and cos

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of complex conjugates and operators in the context of trigonometric functions, specifically focusing on the transition between sine and cosine functions and the use of partial derivatives. Participants are seeking clarification on the mathematical operations involved in a specific problem, which appears to be related to physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about why the sine function changes to a cosine function and the nature of the derivative in the calculations.
  • There is a recognition that the term n(pi)/L represents the first derivative of the inside function for the trigonometric functions, but the reasoning behind its application is unclear to some.
  • One participant notes that the partial derivative operator is applied to the factor following it, not the preceding one, suggesting that the notation could be misleading.
  • Another participant proposes a clearer notation for the application of the partial derivative to avoid confusion regarding its placement in relation to the sine function.
  • Questions arise about how to determine what to apply the operator to and whether there is a consistent order in the formulas used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the confusion surrounding the application of the partial derivative and the transition between sine and cosine functions. However, there is no consensus on the best way to express the mathematical notation or the order of operations.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include potential misunderstandings of operator notation and the specific mathematical steps involved in the calculations, which remain unresolved.

Oaxaca
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I am rather new to the whole idea of complex conjugates and especially operators.

I was trying to understand the solution to a problem I was doing, but the math is confusing me rather than the physics. In the last row of calculations, why does the sin change to a cos, and the d/dx change to what it is. I recognize that n(pi)/L is the first derivative of the inside function for the trig functions, but don't understand how it got there.

Thank you for any help and sorry in advance if I posted this in the wrong section, I'm not positive what section this would fall under.
 

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Oaxaca said:
I am rather new to the whole idea of complex conjugates and especially operators.

I was trying to understand the solution to a problem I was doing, but the math is confusing me rather than the physics. In the last row of calculations, why does the sin change to a cos, and the d/dx change to what it is. I recognize that n(pi)/L is the first derivative of the inside function for the trig functions, but don't understand how it got there.
In the next -to-last line, there is a ##\frac{\partial}{\partial x}## operator. They're taking the partial derivative of what's to the right, with respect to x.
Oaxaca said:
Thank you for any help and sorry in advance if I posted this in the wrong section, I'm not positive what section this would fall under.
 
Mark44 said:
In the next -to-last line, there is a ##\frac{\partial}{\partial x}## operator. They're taking the partial derivative of what's to the right, with respect to x.

That makes a lot more sense, I didn't realize that the partial would act as an operator for the proceeding sin. However, how do you choose what to apply the operator to? Is that always the order of the formula?
 
Oaxaca said:
That makes a lot more sense, I didn't realize that the partial would act as an operator for the proceeding sin. However, how do you choose what to apply the operator to? Is that always the order of the formula?
The operator should be applied to the following factor, not the preceding one. The way this is written is a bit confusing to me. An improvement, I believe, would be
$$\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(\sqrt{\frac 2 L} \sin(\frac{n\pi x}{L})$$
IOW, without that ) immediately following the partial derivative.
 
Mark44 said:
The operator should be applied to the following factor, not the preceding one. The way this is written is a bit confusing to me. An improvement, I believe, would be
$$\frac{\partial}{\partial x}(\sqrt{\frac 2 L} \sin(\frac{n\pi x}{L})$$
IOW, without that ) immediately following the partial derivative.

I got that much (I wrote "proceeding"- improper english on my part, but not a typo :wink:), but I was referring to line six as it seems they move the operator in between the two wave functions, when it was originally outside.
 
Last edited:

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