Did Ackbach Solve This Week's Advanced Math POTW Correctly?

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SUMMARY

Ackbach correctly solved this week's Problem of the Week (POTW), which required demonstrating that for any compactly supported, smooth, real-valued function \( f : \mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R} \), the equation $$\iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3} \nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\| \mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}\|}\right) f(\mathbf{x})\, d\mathbf{x} = -4\pi f(\mathbf{y})$$ holds true. This result is significant in mathematical analysis, particularly in the context of potential theory and distributions. Ackbach's solution adheres to the established mathematical principles and provides a clear demonstration of the relationship between the Laplacian operator and the function \( f \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of compactly supported functions
  • Familiarity with the Laplacian operator in \( \mathbb{R}^3 \)
  • Knowledge of smooth functions and their properties
  • Basic principles of potential theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of compactly supported smooth functions in \( \mathbb{R}^3 \)
  • Learn about the application of the Laplacian operator in potential theory
  • Explore the concept of distributions and their role in mathematical analysis
  • Investigate the implications of the equation $$\iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3} \nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\| \mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}\|}\right) f(\mathbf{x})\, d\mathbf{x} = -4\pi f(\mathbf{y})$$ in physics and engineering
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Mathematicians, physics students, and researchers in applied mathematics who are interested in advanced calculus, potential theory, and the analysis of differential operators.

Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

-----
Show that, for every compactly supported, smooth, real valued function $f : \Bbb R^3 \to \Bbb R$,

$$\iiint_{\Bbb R^3} \nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\| \mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}\|}\right) f(\mathbf{x})\, d\mathbf{x} = -4\pi f(\mathbf{y})$$-----

Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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This week’s problem was correctly solved by Ackbach. You can read his solution below.

The Green's function for the Laplacian operator $\nabla^2$ is
$$G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})=-\frac{1}{4\pi\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|},$$
or
$$-4\pi G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})=\frac{1}{\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|}.$$
By the properties of the Green's function, we have that
$$ \iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|}\right)f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
\iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2\left(-4\pi G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})\right)f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
-4\pi \iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
-4\pi f(\mathbf{y}),
$$
as needed.
 

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