Gauss's Mean Value Property problem.

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating an integral related to the mean value property of harmonic functions. The integral in question is presented as the mean value of a harmonic function at a specific point, with participants exploring the implications of the setup and the definitions involved.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the evaluation of the integral and its relation to the harmonic function's mean value property. There are attempts to clarify the center of the circle used in the integral and whether the book's answer is correct. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the center of the circle and the implications of the harmonic function's properties.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning the validity of the book's answer. Some participants suggest that there may be a typo in the book, while others confirm the harmonic nature of the function involved. There is a recognition of the potential for errors in math textbooks, contributing to the exploration of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of ensuring the accuracy of the integral's evaluation and the assumptions regarding the center of the circle in the context of the harmonic function. There is a mention of the specific values used in the integral and the implications of those values on the overall evaluation.

yungman
Messages
5,741
Reaction score
291

Homework Statement


Identify integral as the mean value of a harmonic function at a point and evaluate the integral:

[tex]\frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; cos(1+cos(t)) cosh(2+sin(t)) \; dt[/tex]

Using:

[tex]u(x_0,y_0) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; u[x_0+rcos(t) , \; y_0+rsin(t)] \; dt[/tex]


Homework Equations



[tex]u(x_0,y_0) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; u[x_0+rcos(t) , \; y_0+rsin(t)] \; dt[/tex]
This equation show if [itex]u[/tex] is harmonic function in a region, then the value of u at any point [itex](x_0, y_0)[/itex] equal to the average of u on the line integral of a circle inside the region centered at [itex](x_0, y_0)[/itex].<br /> <br /> <h2>The Attempt at a Solution</h2><br /> <br /> [tex]\frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; cos( 1+cos(t) ) cosh( 2+sin(t)) \; dt[/tex]<br /> <br /> [tex]x(t) = 1+cos(t) \hbox { and } y(t) = 2+sin(t)[/tex]<br /> <br /> [itex]\nabla^2 u=0 [/tex] and has continuous 1st and 2nd partial derivatives implies [itex]u[/tex] is harmonic function which implies:<br /> <br /> [tex]u(x_0,y_0) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; u[x_0+rcos(t) , \; y_0+rsin(t)] \; dt[/tex]<br /> <br /> [tex]x(t) = 1+cos(t) \hbox { and } y(t) = 2+sin(t) \;\; \Rightarrow\;\; x_0=1 \;\hbox{ and }\; y_0=2\hbox{ Therefore } u(x_0, y_0)=u(1,2) \; \hbox{ and } r=1[/tex]<br /> <br /> Therefore the line integral is a circle center at (1,2).<br /> <br /> [tex]u(1,2)= cos(1)cosh(2) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; cos(1+cos(t)) cosh(2+sin(t)) \; dt[/tex]<br /> <br /> Which the answer is [itex]cos(1)cosh(2)[/itex].<br /> <br /> <br /> But the answer of the book is [itex]2\pi u(0,0) = 2\pi cos(1) cosh(2)[/itex] which implies the center of the circle is (0,0). I don't see what I done wrong. Please help.[/itex][/itex][/itex]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Anyone please?
 
I really think the answer of the book is wrong. Compare the given equation:

[tex]u(x_0,y_0) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; u[x_0+rcos(t) , \; y_0+rsin(t)] \; dt[/tex]

to:

[tex]\frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \; cos( 1+cos(t) ) cosh( 2+sin(t)) \; dt[/tex]

[tex]u(x,y) = u[x_0+rcos(t) , \; y_0+rsin(t)] = cos( 1+cos(t) ) cosh( 2+sin(t)) \Rightarrow\; x(t) = 1+cos(t) \hbox { and } y(t) = 2+sin(t)[/tex]

Where [itex](x_0,y_0)=(1,2) \hbox { and } r=1[/itex]

If I just decrease r to zero, then the point is the center of the circle. which is (1,2). The book seems to use (0,0) as the center. Also from the answer of the book, the value of the integral has [itex]cos(1)cosh(2)[/itex] which pretty much agree with me that the center is (1,2).
 
Yes, I think the book has a typo. They meant to say the integral is 2*pi*u(1,2)=2*cos(1)*cosh(2). You did show u(x,y)=cos(x)*cosh(y) is harmonic, right?
 
Dick said:
Yes, I think the book has a typo. They meant to say the integral is 2*pi*u(1,2)=2*cos(1)*cosh(2). You did show u(x,y)=cos(x)*cosh(y) is harmonic, right?

Yes I have proofed that u(x,y)=cos(x)*cosh(y) is harmonic.

I want to make sure you mean [itex]2\pi u(1,2) = 2\pi cos(1)cosh(2)[/itex]

Thanks

This is a brand new section added to the book on the last revision, that's what I think it's typo. But you never can be certain, these math textbooks seldom make error. Always have to be sure by posting here first.

Thanks
 
Yes, 2*pi*u(1,2)=2*pi*cos(1)*cosh(2), ack I did make a mistake. I skipped the pi in the second part. Sorry. As I did, it's not that rare for math textbooks to contain errors.
 
Dick said:
Yes, 2*pi*u(1,2)=2*pi*cos(1)*cosh(2), ack I did make a mistake. I skipped the pi in the second part. Sorry. As I did, it's not that rare for math textbooks to contain errors.

Thanks for your time.

Alan
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K