Linear Functionals: Why Not ##I(u) = \int_a^b u\frac{du}{dx}dx##?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the characterization of a functional defined by the integral expression ##I(u) = \int_a^b u \frac{du}{dx} dx## and whether it qualifies as a linear functional based on the linearity condition ##l(\alpha u+\beta v)=\alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)##. Participants explore the implications of this definition in the context of linear functionals.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the expression for ##l(\alpha u + \beta v)## and question the validity of the original poster's derivation, suggesting that it leads to additional terms that violate linearity. There is also a discussion about the role of constants in the definition of linear functionals.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing differing interpretations of the linearity condition and its application to the given functional. Some participants assert that the original formulation is incorrect, while others are attempting to reconcile their understanding with the definitions presented in their study materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference a textbook definition of linear functionals and express confusion regarding the implications of constants in the functional expressions. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the conditions for linearity are strictly adhered to, which leads to further questioning of assumptions made in the derivations.

bugatti79
Messages
786
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



Why does this not qualify as a linear functional based on the relation ##l(\alpha u+\beta v)=\alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)##?

##\displaystyle I(u)=\int_a^b u \frac{du}{dx} dx##

Homework Equations


where ##\alpha## and ##\beta## are real numbers and ##u## , ##v## are dependent variables.

The Attempt at a Solution


If we let ##\displaystyle I(v)=\int_a^b v \frac{dv}{dx} dx##

then ##l(\alpha u+\beta v)=##

##\displaystyle \int_a^b ( \alpha u \frac{du}{dx} dx + \beta v \frac{dv}{dx} dx)=\displaystyle \int_a^b \alpha u \frac{du}{dx} dx +\int_a^b \beta v \frac{dv}{dx} dx=\displaystyle \alpha\int_a^b u \frac{du}{dx} dx +\beta \int_a^b v \frac{dv}{dx} dx=\alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)##...? THanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I(\alpha u) = \int_a^b \alpha u \frac{d (\alpha u)}{d x} dx
 
Very cursorily, it is not "linear" because it is a product of two terms involving u.

Your formula for l(\alpha u+ \beta v) is incorrect. You are doing as if (a+ b)^2 were equal to a^2+ b^2 and that is not true.

You need
l(\alpha u+ \beta v)= \int_a^b (\alpha u+ \beta v)\frac{d(\alpha u+ \beta v)}{dx}dx

= \int_a^b (\alpha u+ \beta v)(\alpha\frac{du}{dx}+ \beta\frac{dv}{dx})dx
= \alpha^2 \int_a^b u\frac{du}{dx}dx+ \alpha\beta\int_a^b u\frac{dv}{dx}dx+ \alpha\beta\int_a^b v\frac{du}{dx}dx+ \beta^2\int_a^bv\frac{dv}{dx}dx
 
The_Duck said:
I(\alpha u) = \int_a^b \alpha u \frac{d (\alpha u)}{d x} dx

HallsofIvy said:
Very cursorily, it is not "linear" because it is a product of two terms involving u.

This is what I thought so too and that this non linearity has nothing to do with the realtion in my first thread...however

HallsofIvy said:
Your formula for l(\alpha u+ \beta v) is incorrect. You are doing as if (a+ b)^2 were equal to a^2+ b^2 and that is not true.

You need
l(\alpha u+ \beta v)= \int_a^b (\alpha u+ \beta v)\frac{d(\alpha u+ \beta v)}{dx}dx

= \int_a^b (\alpha u+ \beta v)(\alpha\frac{du}{dx}+ \beta\frac{dv}{dx})dx
= \alpha^2 \int_a^b u\frac{du}{dx}dx+ \alpha\beta\int_a^b u\frac{dv}{dx}dx+ \alpha\beta\int_a^b v\frac{du}{dx}dx+ \beta^2\int_a^bv\frac{dv}{dx}dx

...in the book (which I am self studying finite element theory) it states

" a functional ##l(u)## is said to be linear in u iff it satisfies the relation..."

##l(\alpha u+\beta v)= \alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)##...? How is this wrong?
 
Well, as I showed in my first response, it is NOT \alpha l(u)+ \beta l(v),
it is \alpha^2l(u)+ \beta^2l(v) plus two additional terms!
 
bugatti79 said:
This is what I thought so too and that this non linearity has nothing to do with the realtion in my first thread...however



...in the book (which I am self studying finite element theory) it states

" a functional ##l(u)## is said to be linear in u iff it satisfies the relation..."

##l(\alpha u+\beta v)= \alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)##...? How is this wrong?

HallsofIvy said:
Well, as I showed in my first response, it is NOT \alpha l(u)+ \beta l(v),
it is \alpha^2l(u)+ \beta^2l(v) plus two additional terms!

Ok, what about this one. Using the same relation ##l(αu+βv)=αl(u)+βl(v)## for a functional ##l(u)=\displaystyle \int_a^b f(x) u dx +c##? The book states this is not a linear functional...? Why? Heres my attempt..

let ##l(v)=\displaystyle \int_a^b g(x) v dx +d## then the LHS of the relation can be written as

##\displaystyle \int_a^b \alpha f(x) u dx +\alpha c + \displaystyle \int_a^b \beta g(x) v dx +\beta d=\alpha (\int_a^b f(x) u dx +c) + \beta (\displaystyle \int_a^b g(x) v dx +d)=αl(u)+βl(v)##...Why is this not a linear functional?
 
Nonononononono!

First of all l(v)=\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx+c, NOT l(v)=\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b g(x)vdx+d. Who give you rights to say g(x) or d? NOBODY!
l(\alpha u + \beta v) = \displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)(\alpha u + \beta v)dx + c, not +\alpha c + \beta c
 
Karamata said:
Nonononononono!

First of all l(v)=\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx+c, NOT l(v)=\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b g(x)vdx+d. Who give you rights to say g(x) or d? NOBODY!
l(\alpha u + \beta v) = \displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)(\alpha u + \beta v)dx + c, not +\alpha c + \beta c

ok...the the RHS would end up like
## \displaystyle \alpha \int\limits_a^b f(x)u dx + \beta \int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + c=\alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)+c##

What about the c though, that's not in the relation?
 
bugatti79 said:
ok...the the RHS would end up like
## \displaystyle \alpha \int\limits_a^b f(x)u dx + \beta \int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + c=\alpha l(u)+\beta l(v)+c##

What about the c though, that's not in the relation?

This isn't good, because

\alpha l(u) + \beta l(v)+c = \alpha \left(\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)udx+c\right)+\beta \left(\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx+c\right)+c = \alpha\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)udx + \alpha c + \beta \displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + \beta c + c \neq \displaystyle \alpha \int\limits_a^b f(x)u dx + \beta \int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + c
 
  • #10
Karamata said:
This isn't good, because

\alpha l(u) + \beta l(v)+c = \alpha \left(\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)udx+c\right)+\beta \left(\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx+c\right)+c = \alpha\displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)udx + \alpha c + \beta \displaystyle\int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + \beta c + c \neq \displaystyle \alpha \int\limits_a^b f(x)u dx + \beta \int\limits_a^b f(x)vdx + c

So it cannot be a linear functional then...right? Looks good.THanks!
 

Similar threads

Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K