Finding a formula from a single variable differentiable function

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 6K views
NewtonianAlch
Messages
453
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Suppose that f is a differentiable function of a single variable and F(x,y) is defined by F(x,y) = f(x^2 - y)

Problem: Given that F(0,y) = sin y for all y, find a formula for F(x,y)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



This is what the tutor had put up on the board, but I couldn't make any sense of it:

F(0,y) = sin y
F(0,y) = f(-y) = sin y = sin (-(-y))

F(x,y) = sin (-(x^2-y)) = sin(y-x^2)


I understand that he got f(-y), and given the equation at the start that it results in sin y, but I do not understand how he got sin (-(-y)) and onwards.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
[itex]F(0,y)=\sin(y)[/itex]
but also, since [itex]F(x,y)=f(x^2-y)\Rightarrow F(0,y)=f(x^2-y)|_{x=0}=f(-y)\,\,\mathrm{hence}\,\, F(0,y)=\sin(y)=f(-y)\Rightarrow\\ f(y)=\sin(-y)\Rightarrow f(\xi)=\sin(-\xi)\Rightarrow F(x,y)=f(x^2-y)=\sin(-\xi)|_{\xi=x^2-y}=\sin(y-x^2)[/itex]

Got it?
 
DiracRules said:
[itex]F(0,y)=\sin(y)[/itex]

but also, since [itex]F(x,y)=f(x^2-y)\Rightarrow F(0,y)=f(x^2-y)|_{x=0}=f(-y)\,\,\mathrm{hence}\,\, F(0,y)=\sin(y)=f(-y)\Rightarrow[/itex]

[itex]f(y)=\sin(-y)\Rightarrow f(\xi)=\sin(-\xi)\Rightarrow F(x,y)=f(x^2-y)=\sin(-\xi)|_{\xi=x^2-y}=\sin(y-x^2)[/itex]

Got it?
Just making it more readable.
 
Sorry, sometimes mathematic formalism takes over me :D

[itex]F(0,y)=\sin(y)[/itex](1)
but also, since
[itex]F(x,y)=f(x^2-y)[/itex]if you evaluate [itex]F(0,y)[/itex] you get [itex]f(x^2-y)|_{x=0}=f(-y)[/itex] hence, from (1), you get [itex]F(0,y)=\sin(y)=f(-y)[/itex]. From here, we can deduce the function of a single variable [itex]f(\xi)=\sin(-\xi)[/itex] (we call it [itex]f(\xi)[/itex] for clarity). So [itex]F(x,y)[/itex] is [itex]f(\xi)[/itex] evaluated for [itex]\xi=x^2-y[/itex]: [itex]F(x,y)=f(\xi)|_{\xi=x^2-y}=\sin(-\xi)|_{\xi=x^2-y}=\sin(y-x^2)[/itex]

Is it clearer?