How to interpret the integral of the absolute value?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation and calculation of the integral of the absolute value of a piecewise function, specifically focusing on the norm of the function defined as \( x_n(t) = 1 - nt \) for \( 0 \leq t \leq \frac{1}{n} \) and \( 0 \) for \( \frac{1}{n} < t \leq 1 \). Participants are examining the discrepancies in the calculated norms and the potential errors in the book's notation or content.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the calculation of the norm \( ||x_n||^2 \) and presents their own integration results, which differ from the book's answer.
  • Another participant suggests that the correct integral should be evaluated from \( 0 \) to \( \frac{1}{n} \) instead of \( 0 \) to \( 1 \).
  • There is a mention of a potential typo in the book, with participants discussing the implications of this on their calculations.
  • One participant identifies a sign error in the expansion of \( (1 - nt)^2 \) and corrects their earlier post.
  • Another participant raises a concern about a step in the calculation leading to a different result than the book, suggesting it may be another error.
  • A clarification is provided that the integral gives the norm squared, and the ratio of norms should be considered instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the correctness of the book's content and calculations. There is no consensus on whether the book contains errors, as some participants believe it may be a notation issue while others suspect a typo. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct interpretation and calculation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential limitations in their understanding of the notation and the assumptions underlying the calculations. There are unresolved mathematical steps and differing interpretations of the integral's limits.

SeM
This is rather basic, and may be a misconception of the notation, however, I can't make the following sum up:

The following is given:

x_n(t) = 1 -nt , (if 0 <= t <= 1/n) and 0, (if 1/n < t <= 1)

However, this part I can't grasp this part in the book:

\begin{equation}
||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 |x_n(t)|^2 dt = \frac{1}{3n}
\end{equation}

I tried it, and got a different answer, where i integrated ##|x_n(t)|^2=(1-nt)^2 = 1-2nt-n^2t^2##:

\begin{equation}
||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 1-2nt-n^2t^2 dt = t - nt^2 -n^2t^2/3 = 1 - n - n^2/3
\end{equation}

The right answer is however given in the first integral. What did I do wrong here?

Thanks!
 
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It should be $$
||x_n||^2 = \int_0^{1/n} 1-2nt+n^2t^2 dt
$$
 
Last edited:
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Ok! Thanks! Then its a typo.
 

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SeM said:
That's what I thought, then either the book is wrong (which I doubt), or this is a different notation. Let me scan it and upload it here in the next reply.

Wait, how did you get books answer ?
 
Buffu said:
Wait, how did you books answer ?
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SeM said:
This is rather basic, and may be a misconception of the notation, however, I can't make the following sum up:

The following is given:

x_n(t) = 1 -nt , (if 0 <= t <= 1/n) and 0, (if 1/n < t <= 1)

However, this part I can't grasp this part in the book:

\begin{equation}
||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 |x_n(t)|^2 dt = \frac{1}{3n}
\end{equation}

I tried it, and got a different answer, where i integrated ##|x_n(t)|^2=(1-nt)^2 = 1-2nt-n^2t^2##:

\begin{equation}
||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 1-2nt-n^2t^2 dt = t - nt^2 -n^2t^2/3 = 1 - n - n^2/3
\end{equation}

The right answer is however given in the first integral. What did I do wrong here?

Thanks!
There is a sign error, since ##(1-nt)^2=1-2nt+n^2t^2## and as @Buffu said: ##||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 = \int_0^{\frac{1}{n}}##.
 
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fresh_42 said:
There is a sign error, since ##(1-nt)^2=1-2nt+n^2t^2## and as @Buffu said: ##||x_n||^2 = \int_0^1 = \int_0^{\frac{1}{n}}##.

Yes, I also copied the error. Now corrected it in my post.
 
Thanks! I have corrected it in the book. It's Kreyszig Introduction to Functional Analysis, as part of the discussions with George Jones.
 
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Buffu said:
Wait, how did you get books answer ?

Hi Buffu, something is odd with the step "and the quotient" yielding the answer >n. Here I got: n/1/3n = 3n^2. but the book says differently again. It appears as an error, can you see if this is yet another error?
 
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SeM said:
Hi Buffu, something is odd with the step "and the quotient" yielding the answer >n. Here I got: n/1/3n = 3n^2. but the book says differently again. It appears as an error, can you see if this is yet another error?

You forgot to take the square root. The integral gives norm squared; you need ratio of norms not of norms squared.
 
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Ah! Indeed! Thanks!
 

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