Derivative of a complex conjugate?

xago
Messages
60
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



[PLAIN]http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4500/85131172.png

Homework Equations



Derivations and substitutions.

The Attempt at a Solution



Basically it seems like a very simple problem to me however I can't seem to get the right answer. First I just assumed that the c.c. (complex conjugate) was just a constant thus:

\Psi'(x) = Ckeikx
\Psi''(x) = Ck2eikx

But substituting that equation into the original DE gives:

Ck2eikx = Ck2eikx + k2(c.c)

obviously I'm missing something.

edit: maybe I read the question wrong could c.c. mean Ce-ikx ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, the complex conjugate of exp(ikx) is exp(-ikx). And don't forget the c.c. of C is C^*. And d/dx(exp(ikx)) isn't k*exp(ikx) either, it's ik*exp(ikx).
 
Ok, I understand now. Also thanks for pointing out my derivative mistake!
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top