Is this Dirac delta function integral correct?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral involving the Dirac delta function, specifically the expression $$ \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx $$ and its correctness. Participants explore the implications of the delta function in this context, with a focus on the mathematical reasoning behind the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Jorge M proposes a method to evaluate the integral based on the properties of the Dirac delta function and its zeros, suggesting that the integral results in a summation dependent on the value of n.
  • Jorge M concludes that the integral evaluates to $$ \sum_{N=0}^n (2N+1) $$ for n=0, which he believes is a correct approach.
  • Another participant, jason, provides an alternative evaluation of the integral, arriving at the result $$ 2n + 1 $$, indicating that while Jorge M's steps are mostly correct, the final expression differs.
  • Jason's response suggests a different interpretation of the summation over the delta function's contributions, emphasizing the counting of zeros within the specified limits.
  • There is a clarification from Jorge M acknowledging jason's result as the correct one after receiving feedback.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not fully agree on the final expression for the integral initially, as Jorge M proposes a different result than jason. However, jason's evaluation is later acknowledged by Jorge M as correct, indicating a resolution to the disagreement on the final result.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the behavior of the Dirac delta function and its zeros, which may not be universally agreed upon. The dependence on the interpretation of the integral's limits and the properties of the delta function is also a point of contention.

JorgeM
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I have to integrate this expression so I started to solve the delta part from the fact that when n=0 it results equals to 1.
And the graph is continuous in segments I thought as the sumation of integers
$$ \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx $$

From the fact that actually
$$ δ(sin(x))= \sum_{zeros}^. \frac{1}{|Cos(nπ)|} δ(x-nπ)$$
An in the integral

$$ \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} \sum_{zeros}^. \frac{1}{|Cos(nπ)|} δ(x-nπ)$$

For n=0
$$ \int_{-(1/2)π}^{(1/2)π} \sum_{zeros}^. \frac{1}{|Cos(nπ)|} δ(x-nπ) = 1 $$

But taking a look on the graph of 1/|Cos(x)| and the fact that it is continuous in segments
for n=0 ,1 segment
n=1, 3 segments
n=2, 5 segments
and each one of these is just like the first whose integral is equal to one.
So the value it just a sumation that depends for the n value.
And the result is
$$ \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx= \sum_{N=0}^n (2N+1)$$

Has anyone solved it before? Is this a correct way of doing it?
Thanks for your advise.
Jorge M
 
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JorgeM said:
$$\int x^2e^x \, dx $$
What does this have to do with the problem in post #1?
 
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Mark44 said:
What does this have to do with the problem in post #1?
Nothing really, I figured out how to use Latex, so I started to try to write equations and symbols.
However, I have finally written the equations as good as possible in order to make people easy to understand.
But I do not know if what I have made is well-solved.
Thanks.
 
JorgeM said:
$$ \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx= \sum_{N=0}^n (2N+1)$$

Has anyone solved it before? Is this a correct way of doing it?
Thanks for your advise.
Jorge M
Not quite, although most of your steps are correct. I get,
$$ \begin{eqnarray*}
\int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx & = & \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} \sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty} \delta(x-m\pi) \, dx \\
& = & \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} \sum_{m=-n}^n \delta(x-m\pi) \, dx \\
& = & \sum_{m=-n}^n 1\\
& = & 2n + 1.
\end{eqnarray*}
$$

jason
 
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jasonRF said:
Not quite, although most of your steps are correct. I get,
$$ \begin{eqnarray*}
\int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} δ(sin(x)) \, dx & = & \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} \sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty} \delta(x-m\pi) \, dx \\
& = & \int_{-(n+1/2)π}^{(n+1/2)π} \sum_{m=-n}^n \delta(x-m\pi) \, dx \\
& = & \sum_{m=-n}^n 1\\
& = & 2n + 1.
\end{eqnarray*}
$$

jason

Actually, that is the correct result.
Thanks a lot for your reply
 

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