Need a solution for the following problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a mathematical problem involving the evaluation of an integral and the formulation of a differential equation related to a function F(x). Participants explore the relationship between the integral representation of F and its properties, including the determination of constants and the differentiation of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the value of F(0) expressed as an integral.
  • One participant suggests that F(0) can be represented as a constant Fo, which needs to be specified.
  • Another participant corrects this by stating that Fo should actually be determined, not just specified.
  • There is a reference to the integral of e^{-x^2} and its known result, which some participants acknowledge as new information.
  • Participants express confusion regarding the problem's requirements, particularly the distinction between solving a differential equation and finding a differential equation for F.
  • One participant mentions deriving F(ω) from the integral and questions whether this is the answer to the integral.
  • There are repeated frustrations expressed about misunderstandings and the clarity of the problem statement.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of differentiating the integral defining F and the legitimacy of doing so within the context of the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as there are multiple competing views on the interpretation of the problem and the steps required to address it. Confusion persists regarding the distinction between solving and finding a differential equation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in understanding the problem due to unclear phrasing and the complexity of the mathematical concepts involved. Participants express uncertainty about the requirements and the correct approach to take.

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The question is attached. Thanks a lot
 

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Expressed as an integral, what is F(0) equal to?
 
F(0) = Fo where Fo can be any constant, but we have to specify it.
 
not specify but determine actually my bad
 
I SAID:
Expressed as an integral, WHAT IS F(0)?
 
see attached
 

Attachments

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Indeed!
And what is the exact value of that integral?
 
- e of positive infinity??
 
Okay, so you are unfamiliar with the famous result:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-x^{2}}dx=\sqrt{\pi}[/tex]
 
  • #10
yea, never seen this before
 
  • #11
Okay, so now you know the value of F(0)! :smile:
 
  • #12
So what is the answer?
Care to walk me through?
 
  • #13
arildno said:
Okay, so now you know the value of F(0)! :smile:

So what do we do with this?
Sorry, I am not understanding.
 
  • #14
rad0786 said:
So what do we do with this?
Sorry, I am not understanding.

The problem SAID "Write a differential equation for F(x):
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F[/tex]
with F(0)= F0 where F0 is the constant you have to determine explicitly."

Okay, you now know that F0= [itex]\sqrt{\pi}[/itex].

By the way, I notice that the "differential equation" you give (I have copied it exactly above) is not an equation! There is no equal sign. I imagine it is actually either
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}= h(\omega)F[/tex]
or
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F= 0[/tex]

They differ, of course, only in the sign of h.
 
  • #15
HallsofIvy said:
The problem SAID "Write a differential equation for F(x):
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F[/tex]
with F(0)= F0 where F0 is the constant you have to determine explicitly."

Okay, you now know that F0= [itex]\sqrt{\pi}[/itex].

By the way, I notice that the "differential equation" you give (I have copied it exactly above) is not an equation! There is no equal sign. I imagine it is actually either
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}= h(\omega)F[/tex]
or
[tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F= 0[/tex]

They differ, of course, only in the sign of h.


Oh so we just have to solve the ODE [tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F= 0[/tex] with initial condition F0= [itex]\sqrt{\pi}[/itex]...

is it that straight forward? Am I not understanding something?
 
  • #16
but how do you solve a question like this, with 3 variables and a complex number? even if we use the method of solving linear differential equations
 
  • #17
rad0786 said:
Oh so we just have to solve the ODE [tex]\frac{dF}{d\omega}+ h(\omega)F= 0[/tex] with initial condition F0= [itex]\sqrt{\pi}[/itex]...

is it that straight forward? Am I not understanding something?

Apparently you are having trouble reading the problem- which I just quoted.

The problem does NOT ask you to solve any differential equation. It asks you to FIND an equation of that form (essentially find the function [itex]h(\omega)[/itex] so that F(x), as given in integral form, satisfies that equation.

What happens if you differentiate the integral defining F?
 
  • #18
I got F(w) = root( pi) when solving the diff. equation

So is this the answer to the integral?
 
  • #19
This is becoming very frustrating. Is there any point in responding if you don't read the replies?? I just said, the problem does not ask you to solve a differential equation, it asks you to find a differential equation for F! And I don't know what you mean by "the answer to this integral". Integrals don't have answers, questions do. What is the question?

You are told that F is defined by
[tex]F(\omega)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-\omega x}e^{-x^2}dx[/tex]
What do you get if you differentiate that equation with respect to [itex]\omega[/itex]? (In this case it is legitimate to simplydifferentiate inside the integral.)

By the way, [tex]e^{i\omega x}e^{-x^2}= e^{i\omega x- x^2}[/tex]
 
  • #20
HallsofIvy said:
This is becoming very frustrating. Is there any point in responding if you don't read the replies?? I just said, the problem does not ask you to solve a differential equation, it asks you to find a differential equation for F! And I don't know what you mean by "the answer to this integral". Integrals don't have answers, questions do. What is the question?

You are told that F is defined by
[tex]F(\omega)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-\omega x}e^{-x^2}dx[/tex]
What do you get if you differentiate that equation with respect to [itex]\omega[/itex]? (In this case it is legitimate to simplydifferentiate inside the integral.)

By the way, [tex]e^{i\omega x}e^{-x^2}= e^{i\omega x- x^2}[/tex]

I applogize, it's not every day I come across questions like this...this is very challenging.

I got confuzed between "solving the differential equation" and "finding the differenatial equation of F" -- I don't know the difference. :rolleyes:

The derivative of [tex]F(\omega)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-\omega x}e^{-x^2}dx[/tex] with respect to [itex]\omega[/itex] is [tex]F(\omega)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}-xe^{-\omega x}e^{-x^2}dx[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #21
Stupid latex...that's not the integral...latex keeps giving the wrong one
 

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