Evaluating integral with delta function (Fourier Transform)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating integrals involving the delta function, specifically in the context of Fourier transforms. Participants are attempting to understand the implications of the delta function in relation to the given integrals and the behavior of functions at specific points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express uncertainty about the correctness of results obtained from computational tools. They question how the delta function's argument influences the evaluation of integrals. Some participants attempt to clarify when the delta function equals zero and how to apply this to their specific problems.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the properties of the delta function and its application in the context of the integrals presented. Some participants have provided insights into evaluating the function at specific points, while others continue to seek clarification on the reasoning behind their approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can employ. There is a noted confusion regarding the interpretation of results from external computational tools.

grandpa2390
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Homework Statement


Evaluate the Following integrals

1. http://www4b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP10141fif9b428c5bab0b00005dc489hi851d28h7?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=37&w=164.&h=35.

Homework Equations


http://www4b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP23802098254f7bhefdhd00002e1e8be006773e70?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=64&w=184.&h=35.

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know. please help. I don't know if the -3 is correct. it is what wolfram gave me when I typed it into paste it here. If it is correct I don't know why. I would think the x being cubed would affect the answer so that it isn't just -a[/B]
 
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and http://www4f.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP18161hebeg6i2g9e2cbi0000626gc3eg86i0g2ab?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=16&w=290.&h=35. but replace the y's with x'
once again I don't know if the result given by wolfrahm is correct. I don't understand how to break this down.
 
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All you have to do is to work out when the argument for the ##\delta## function is ##0##. Can you do that for the two examples?
 
PeroK said:
All you have to do is to work out when the argument for the ##\delta## function is ##0##. Can you do that for the two examples?

well that would be when x=0 right? δ(0)=0

so I would plug that into the f(x)? and get f(0^3-3)= -3
and -3^3= -27

for the next one

δ(y-x) = 0 when y=x
so: (x-3)^3

that's pretty simple. thanks!
 
grandpa2390 said:

Homework Statement


Evaluate the Following integrals

1. http://www4b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP10141fif9b428c5bab0b00005dc489hi851d28h7?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=37&w=164.&h=35.

Homework Equations


http://www4b.wolframalpha.com/Calculate/MSP/MSP23802098254f7bhefdhd00002e1e8be006773e70?MSPStoreType=image/gif&s=64&w=184.&h=35.

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know. please help. I don't know if the -3 is correct. it is what wolfram gave me when I typed it into paste it here. If it is correct I don't know why. I would think the x being cubed would affect the answer so that it isn't just -a[/B]

Why would you think that? ##\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x) \delta(x-a) \, dx = f(a)## [Note: NOT what you wrote under Heading 2.!] So, for ##a = 0## and ##f(x) = x^3 -3## we get the answer ##f(0) = (0^3 - 3)##.
 
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Ray Vickson said:
Why would you think that? ##\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x) \delta(x-a) \, dx = f(a)## [Note: NOT what you wrote under Heading 2.!] So, for ##a = 0## and ##f(x) = x^3 -3## we get the answer ##f(0) = (0^3 - 3)##.

They are both valid. My professor gave us both. to make my question less confusing and wordy, I wrote the one that I thought applied. but they are both different ways of expressing the same thing.

find where δ(x) = δ(0)

at x=0
f(0-a) = f(-a)

or in the equation you posted, x=a and f(x)=f(a)

it's the same thing. apply it to my problem. the same way.

so we get 0^3-3=-3
 
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grandpa2390 said:
They are both valid. My professor gave us both. to make my question less confusing and wordy, I wrote the one that I thought applied. but they are both different ways of expressing the same thing.

find where δ(x) = δ(0)

at x=0
f(0-a) = f(-a)

or in the equation you posted, x=a and f(x)=f(a)

it's the same thing. apply it to my problem. the same way.

so we get 0^3-3=-3
grandpa2390 said:
They are both valid. My professor gave us both. to make my question less confusing and wordy, I wrote the one that I thought applied. but they are both different ways of expressing the same thing.

find where δ(x) = δ(0)

at x=0
f(0-a) = f(-a)

or in the equation you posted, x=a and f(x)=f(a)

it's the same thing. apply it to my problem. the same way.

so we get 0^3-3=-3

Sorry: I mis-typed it. What I meant was ##\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x) \delta (x-a) \, dx = f(a)##, not what I wrote. Your equation was correct, and I had made a stupid mistake.
 
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