How to set the variation of an integral to 0?

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The discussion revolves around setting the variation of the integral ##\delta W=\int_{-\Delta}^\Delta\left[x^2\left(\frac{d\xi}{dx}\right)^2−D_S\xi^2\right]dx## to zero. The user initially differentiates the integrand incorrectly, resulting in the equation ##x^2\xi″+x\xi′−D_S\xi = 0##. The correct approach involves applying the Euler-Lagrange equation, leading to the accurate formulation ##\frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2\frac{d\xi}{dx}\right)+D_S\xi = 0##. This highlights the necessity of understanding variational calculus for proper differentiation in this context.

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So I have an integral:

## \delta W=\int_{-\Delta}^\Delta\left[x^2\left(\frac{d\xi}{dx}\right)^2−D_S\xi^2\right]dx ##
Here ##\xi## is a function of ##x## and ##D_S## is a constant. ##\Delta## is just some small ##x##. Now I need to set the variation of ##\delta W## to 0. Do do this I differentiated whatever is inside the bracket and set it to 0. I get:

## x^2\xi″+x\xi′−D_S\xi = 0 ##

However, the answer is:

## \frac{d}{dx}\left(x^2\frac{d\xi}{dx}\right)+D_S\xi = x^2\xi″+2x\xi′+D_S\xi = 0 ##

Where the primes are derivatives with respect to x. As you can see the difference is a factor of 2 in the middle term and that minus sign.

If anyone could point out where I am going wrong, it would be really appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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You cannot simply differentiate the integrand with respect to the integration variable. You need to check out a textbook or lecture notes on variational calculus and apply Euler-Lagrange's equations.
 
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Thanks a lot! Got the answer!
 

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