Is the Integral Independent of Time for Specific Powers of t?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the independence of an integral from time in the context of a function defined by a partial differential equation. The integral in question involves a function of the form u(x,t) = (t^a) * g(e), where e = x/sqrt(t) and a is a constant.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the differentiation of both sides of the integral with respect to time and question the validity of differentiating under the integral sign. There are attempts to express the derivative of the integral and relate it to the original function.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing various approaches to analyze the integral's dependence on time. Some suggest that showing the derivative of the integral is zero would indicate independence from time, while others propose substitutions and transformations to simplify the integral.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of differentiation rules in the context of integrals, and participants are considering specific values of the constant a that might lead to the integral being independent of time.

Gekko
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du/dt = d2u/dx2

u(x,t) = (t^a) * (g(e)) where e = x/sqrt(t) and a is a constant

Show that

integral from -inf to inf [ u(x,t) ] dx = integral from -inf to inf [ (t^a) * g(e) ] dx

is independent of t only if a=-0.5

My attempt was to diff both sides by t (sorry not x) giving

integral from -inf to inf [d2u/dx2 ] dx = integral from -inf to inf [at^(a-1) g(e) + t^a dg(g)/dt ] dx

Not sure if this is correct and can't see where to go from here...any help most appreciated. Thanks
 
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so just to write it out in tex your starting point is:
f(t) = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} u(x,t) dx = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} (t^a) g(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}})dx

i don't think its ok here to differentiate both sides w.r.t. x, you always need to be careful bringing it differntiation inside an integral, and here in effect its just a dummy integration variable...
 
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but you can differentitae w.r.t. t no worries
f'(t) = \frac{\partial }{\partial t} \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} u(x,t) dx = \frac{\partial }{\partial t}\int^{\infty}_{-\infty} (t^a) g(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}})dx

f'(t) = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} u_t(x,t) dx = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} u_{xx}(x,t) dx = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \frac{\partial }{\partial t}(t^a) g(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}})dx

f&#039;(t)<br /> = \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \left( a t^{a-1} g(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}}) <br /> - \frac{xt ^{a-3/2}}{2}g&#039;(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}}) \right)dx <br />

assuming my algebra is correct, and which appears close to what you presented

if you can show f'(t) = zero, then its clear the integral is independent of t
 
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then you can look at the x derivatives
u_x(x,t) = \frac{\partial }{\partial x}t^a g(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}})

u_x(x,t) = t^a g&#039;(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}}) \frac{1}{\sqrt{t}}= t^{a-1/2} g&#039;(\frac{x}{\sqrt{t}})

and carry on from there, you may have to consider a=1/2 and otherwise separatley

PS - i haven't fully worked it but this is what i would try
 
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So you have an integral:
<br /> \int_{\infty}^{\infty}t^{a}g(x/\sqrt{t})dx<br />
use v=x/\sqrt{t} as a substitution to obtain (after a little algerbra)
<br /> \int_{\infty}^{\infty}t^{a+1/2}g(v)dv<br />
This will ne infependent of t if and only if a=-1/2. I will leave you to fill in the details.

Mat
 

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