Integral over scaling function

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the integral of the interpolating scaling function φ(x), questioning why ∫_{-∞}^{∞} φ(x) dx equals 1. Participants clarify that φ(x) is not the Dirac delta function, despite its similar properties. The conversation highlights that in a one-dimensional case, scaling functions can maintain the constant value of 1 when integrated over specific intervals. It is suggested that the integral of a continuous function f(x), constructed from discrete values, can be expressed as the sum of integrals of the scaling functions. The thread emphasizes the importance of understanding the properties of scaling functions in relation to interpolation and integration.
Derivator
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Hi,

\phi(x) is an interpolating scaling function (also called fundamental function or Dubuc-Deslauriers function) as given on pages 155 to 158 in these lecture notes: http://pages.unibas.ch/comphys/comphys/TEACH/WS07/course.pdf

Why does the follwoing yield:

\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\phi(x) dx = 1?

At least, I assume this yields, because otherwise I cannot show the equality of the first equation of the exercise on page 158 of the above lecture notes:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/304/capturevm.png
 
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φ(x) seems to be the Dirac delta function. Check it out on Wikipedia if you are not familiar with it. Most authors use δ(x).
 
no, its definitely not a dirac delta function.

In a 7-th order interpolation scheme it looks like:

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/3887/capturekp.png

by the way: i noticed this thread is probably in the wrong forum. Could someone move it to 'Atomic, Solid State, Comp. Physics', please?
 
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Derivator said:
Hi,
Why does the follwoing yield:
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\phi(x) dx = 1?

I don't think that is true.

I only got a hazy grasp of those notes, but, thinking about the case in 1 dimension, the constant function f(x) = 1, when scaled as f(x)\phi(x) is still the constant function 1. (I haven't mastered the notation. By \phi(x), I mean a function such that when x is between the integers k and k + 1, \phi(x) is the sum of the interpolating scaling function centered at k and the interpolating scaling function centered at k + 1.) So one can say that the integral of (1)( \phi(x)) from k-1/2 to k+1/2 is 1.
 
To get my notation straight, I'll use \phi(x) to mean a (single) scaling function centered at 0 which vanishes for x < -1/2 and x > 1/2. (I don't know where the scaling functions in those notes are supposed to vanish. This is just to test an idea.)

If g(x) is a function that is zero except at integers, then I gather the idea of interpolating scaling functions is extend g to a continuous function f(x). Let's say that for x between the integer values k and k + 1, we compute f(x) by adding two functions. The first function f_{k,1}(x) is g(k) times the scaling function \phi(x-k) and the second function f_{k,2}(x) is g(k+1) times the scaling function \phi(x - (k+1) ).

When you integrate f(x) over all real numbers, its integral can be regarded as the sum of integrals of these functions. Working the exercise might rely on arguing that the sum of these integrals is term-by-term equal to the sum of the non-zero values of g(x).
 
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