Is there a contradiction in assuming that $J$ is linear over $C^1([a,b])$?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the linearity of the functional \( J(y) = \int_a^b (y')^2 dx + G(y(b)) \) defined over \( C^1([a,b]) \). Participants explore whether this functional can be considered linear and investigate the implications of different choices for the function \( G \).

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that for \( J \) to be linear, it must satisfy \( J(\lambda y) = \lambda J(y) \) for all \( y \in C^1([a,b]) \) and \( \lambda \in \mathbb{R} \).
  • Participants derive conditions on \( G \) by substituting specific functions, such as \( y = x \) and \( y = 2x \), to explore potential contradictions.
  • One participant suggests that if \( J \) is linear, there must be constraints on \( G \) that are not satisfied by any choice of \( G \).
  • Another participant questions whether it is valid to use different values of \( b \) in the analysis, given that the functional is defined over a fixed interval \( [a,b] \).
  • There is a proposal to examine the case where \( y = 2x - b \) to derive further contradictions related to \( G \).
  • Some participants note that almost any function \( y \) that satisfies \( y(b) = b \) could potentially lead to contradictions regarding the linearity of \( J \).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the exploration of the linearity of \( J \) leads to contradictions under certain conditions, but there is no consensus on the implications for the function \( G \) or the validity of using different \( b \) values.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the assumptions about the function \( G \) and the implications of using different values for \( b \) while analyzing the functional \( J \).

evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

Is the following functional over $C^1([a,b])$ linear?

$$J(y)= \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(y(b))$$

That's what I have thought:if $J$ would be linear it would have to hold:

$\forall y \in C^1([a,b]), \forall \lambda \in \mathbb{R}$

$J(\lambda y)=\lambda J(y)$ or equivalently

$\int_a^b (\lambda y')^2 dx+ G(\lambda y(b))=\lambda \left( \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(y(b))\right)\\ \Rightarrow \lambda^2 \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(\lambda y(b))= \lambda \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ \lambda G(y(b)) $

For $\lambda=2, y=x$ the equality becomes:$4 \int_a^b 1 dx+ G(2b)=2 \int_a^b 1 dx+ 2 G(b) \Rightarrow 2(b-a)=2G(b)-G(2b) $

Can we take a specific function $G$ ? Or how else could we find a contradiction? (Thinking)
 
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evinda said:
Hello! (Wave)

Is the following functional over $C^1([a,b])$ linear?

$$J(y)= \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(y(b))$$

That's what I have thought:if $J$ would be linear it would have to hold:

$\forall y \in C^1([a,b]), \forall \lambda \in \mathbb{R}$

$J(\lambda y)=\lambda J(y)$ or equivalently

$\int_a^b (\lambda y')^2 dx+ G(\lambda y(b))=\lambda \left( \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(y(b))\right)\\ \Rightarrow \lambda^2 \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ G(\lambda y(b))= \lambda \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ \lambda G(y(b)) $

For $\lambda=2, y=x$ the equality becomes:$4 \int_a^b 1 dx+ G(2b)=2 \int_a^b 1 dx+ 2 G(b) \Rightarrow 2(b-a)=2G(b)-G(2b) $

Can we take a specific function $G$ ? Or how else could we find a contradiction? (Thinking)

Hey! (Smile)

If it is a linear functional, there will have to be constraints on $G$.
Suppose we prove that whatever we pick for $G$, it won't be good enough?

Say, what if we pick the same example with y=2x.
Then what will we find as constraint for $G$? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Hey! (Smile)

If it is a linear functional, there will have to be constraints on $G$.
Suppose we prove that whatever we pick for $G$, it won't be good enough?

Say, what if we pick the same example with y=2x.
Then what will we find as constraint for $G$? (Wondering)

Then it will be as follows, right?

$$J(\lambda y)= \lambda J(y) \Rightarrow \int_a^b (\lambda y)' dx+ G(\lambda y(b))= \lambda \int_a^b (y')^2 dx+ \lambda G(y(b))$$

For $\lambda=2$ and $y(x)=2x$ we have:

$$4 \int_a^b 1 dx+ G(4b)=8 \int_a^b 1 dx+ 2 G(b) \Rightarrow G(4b)-2G(b)=4(b-a)$$

But how can we find constraint for $G$? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
For $\lambda=2$ and $y(x)=2x$ we have:

$$4 \int_a^b 1 dx+ G(4b)=8 \int_a^b 1 dx+ 2 G(b) \Rightarrow G(4b)-2G(b)=4(b-a)$$

Shouldn't that be:
$$2^2 \int_a^b (2)^2 dx+ G(2\cdot 2b)=2 \int_a^b (2)^2 dx+ 2 G(2b) \Rightarrow 2G(2b)-G(4b)=8(b-a)$$
(Wondering)

But how can we find constraint for $G$? (Thinking)

From your first example, if we pick $\lambda=2, y=x, a=0, b=1$, we find $2G(b)-G(2b)=2(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2G(1)-G(2)=2}$.

When we pick $\lambda=2, y=2x, a=0, b=\frac 12$, we find $2G(2b)-G(4b)=8(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2G(1)-G(2)=4}$.

This is a contradiction. (Nerd)
 
I like Serena said:
Shouldn't that be:
$$2^2 \int_a^b (2)^2 dx+ G(2\cdot 2b)=2 \int_a^b (2)^2 dx+ 2 G(2b) \Rightarrow 2G(2b)-G(4b)=8(b-a)$$
(Wondering)

Oh yes, right... (Nod)

I like Serena said:
From your first example, if we pick $\lambda=2, y=x, a=0, b=1$, we find $2G(b)-G(2b)=2(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2G(1)-G(2)=2}$.

When we pick $\lambda=2, y=2x, a=0, b=\frac 12$, we find $2G(2b)-G(4b)=8(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2G(1)-G(2)=4}$.

This is a contradiction. (Nerd)

I see... But can we take two different $b$s, although the functional is defined over $C^1([a,b])$ where $a,b$ are fixed? (Thinking) :confused:
 
evinda said:
Oh yes, right... (Nod)
I see... But can we take two different $b$s, although the functional is defined over $C^1([a,b])$ where $a,b$ are fixed? (Thinking) :confused:

Oh yes, you're right... (Blush)

Then let's pick $\lambda = 2$ and $y=2x - b$.

Then we get:
$$2g(y(b)) - g(2y(b)) = 8(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2g(b) - g(2b) = 8(b-a)}$$

This is a contradiction, assuming that $a\ne b$. (Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
Oh yes, you're right... (Blush)

Then let's pick $\lambda = 2$ and $y=2x - b$.

Then we get:
$$2g(y(b)) - g(2y(b)) = 8(b-a) \Rightarrow \boxed{2g(b) - g(2b) = 8(b-a)}$$

This is a contradiction, assuming that $a\ne b$. (Thinking)

I see... Thanks a lot! (Mmm) (Smirk)
 
I like Serena said:
Oh yes, you're right... (Blush)

Then let's pick $\lambda = 2$ and $y=2x - b$.

Would we also get a contradiction picking an other $y$ for $\lambda=2$ or is it the only possibility? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
Would we also get a contradiction picking an other $y$ for $\lambda=2$ or is it the only possibility? (Thinking)

Almost any other $y$ will also work, as long as $y(b)=b$ as you pointed out.
For instance $y=b$. (Wasntme)
 

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