Doubt in a step while deriving Bertrand theorem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of Bertrand's Theorem as presented in Goldstein's 2nd edition. The equation under consideration is the orbit equation under a conservative central force, expressed as d²u/dθ² + u = J(u), where J(u) = -m/l² * d/du V(1/u) = -m/l² * (1/u²) f(1/u). The author suggests that if the right-hand side (RHS) of equation A-10 is zero, the solution is a cos(βθ). However, if the RHS contains terms, the solution is represented as a Fourier sum of cosine terms, implying that the RHS must be an even function of θ.

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Kashmir
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Goldstein 2nd ed.

In its Appendix is given the derivation of Bertrands Theorem.
Screenshot_20211029_103327.jpg
Here ##x=u-u_0## is the deviation from circularity and ##J(u)=-\frac{m}{l^{2}} \frac{d}{d u} V\left(\frac{1}{u}\right)=-\frac{m}{l^{2} u^{2}} f\left(\frac{1}{u}\right)##

If the R.H.S of A-10 was zero, the solution was then ##a \cos(β\theta)##. However if there are terms on the RHS as given in equation A-10 the author writes the solution as a Fourier sum involving only cosine terms .
Now how does the author know that we should use a Fourier expansion of ##x## using only cosine terms with argument ##β\theta##?
 
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Do you have a condition that RHS of A-10 is even function of ##\theta## ?
 
anuttarasammyak said:
Do you have a condition that RHS of A-10 is even function of ##\theta## ?
We started from the orbit equation under a conservative central force written as
##
\frac{d^{2} u}{d \theta^{2}}+u=J(u)
##
where
##
J(u)=-\frac{m}{l^{2}} \frac{d}{d u} V\left(\frac{1}{u}\right)=-\frac{m}{l^{2} u^{2}} f\left(\frac{1}{u}\right)
## which i believe if ##u(x)##is its solution then ##u(-x)## is as well.
So maybe the eveness of solution comes from here. I'm not sure.
 

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