Linearity and Orthogonality of Inner Product in Vector Space H

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of inner products in a real-valued vector space H, specifically focusing on linearity and orthogonality. The original poster presents a set of questions regarding the definition of inner products for real-valued vector functions over a specified interval.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definitions and properties of inner products, questioning whether specific integral forms can be considered valid inner products. There is discussion about the requirements for linearity and positive definiteness, as well as the implications of continuity and differentiability of the functions involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided reasoning for why certain integral definitions may qualify as inner products, while others express skepticism about specific cases. The conversation includes attempts to verify the axioms of inner products, with some participants claiming to have proven them for the proposed operations.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the conditions under which the inner product is defined, including the continuity and differentiability of the functions involved. Participants are also considering the implications of the definitions on the properties of the inner product.

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Homework Statement


Denote the inner product of f,g [itex]\in[/itex] H by <f,g> [itex]\in[/itex] R where H is some(real-valued) vector space
a) Explain linearity of the inner product with respect to f,g. Define orthogonality.
b) Let f(x) and g(x) be 2 real-valued vector functions on [0,1]. Could the inner product be defined as (give reasons)
i) <f,g> = integral from 0 to 1 of f(x)g(x) dx?
ii) <f,g> = integral from 0 to 1 [itex]\lambda[/itex](x)f'(x)g'(x) dx? where prime denotes the derivative and [itex]\lambda[/itex](x) > 0 is a smooth function (assuming f',g' [itex]\in[/itex] H)?
iii) <f,g> = f(x)g(x)?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


a) That is just trivial
b) Not too sure on any of them
 
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For i) since the integral is a real number (provided that f and g are continuous, differentiable etc.) once computed suggest that this will be an inner product, similarly for ii) and iii) (except the integral part for iii))
 
An inner product must be such that
[tex]<au+ bv, w>= a<u, w>+ b<v, w>[/tex]
[tex]<u, v>= \overline{<v, u>}[/tex]

Can you show that those are true for each of the given operations?
 
Do I show positive definiteness <f,f> >= 0? and <f,f> = 0 if and only if f = 0
 
I just proved all 3 axioms to be an inner product.
I got that all 3 operations are all defined as inner products, is this correct (I'm a little skeptical on ii))?
i) and iii) are easy.
 

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