Orthogonal Properties for Sine Don't Hold if Pi is involded?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the orthogonal properties of sine functions, particularly in the context of Fourier coefficients and integrals involving sine functions with arguments that include multiples of π. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the validity of orthogonality when the limits of integration are altered.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why the orthogonality property does not seem to hold for specific cases involving sine functions and integrals over the interval [0, L/2]. They question the results for even and odd values of n and seek a property to simplify their calculations.
  • Some participants assert that the orthogonality property does hold under certain conditions, referencing Sturm-Liouville theory, but acknowledge the need for clarification regarding the limits of integration.
  • Further inquiries are made about the orthogonality of specific sets of sine functions and whether integration would yield zero for certain combinations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the orthogonality properties of sine functions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the validity of orthogonality under specific conditions, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's concerns about the limits of integration and the implications for their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the limits of integration are crucial to the discussion, particularly the shift from [0, L] to [0, L/2]. There is also mention of the complexity of the integrals involved and the potential for properties that could simplify the evaluation process.

mmmboh
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Orthogonal Properties for Sine Don't Hold if Pi is involded??

Normally I know [tex] \int_{-L}^L \sin \frac{n x}{L} \sin \frac{\m x}{L} ~ dx = 0\mbox{ if }n\not =m , \ =L \mbox{ if }n=m[/tex] but apparently this doesn't work for [tex] \int_{-L}^L \sin \frac{\pi n x}{L} \sin \frac{\pi m x}{L} ~ dx [/tex]

I am trying to find Fourier coefficients, and my integral is [tex]\int_{0}^{L/2} \sin \frac{2\pi x}{L} \sin \frac{\pi n x}{L} ~ dx [/tex]

For even n that aren't 2, the integral is 0, if n=2, then the integral is L/2, but if n is odd, then the integral doesn't equal 0 (it's actually a fairly complex answer) even thought it looks like it should by orthogonal properties ...why doesn't this work?

The integrals I am doing take very long to do, is there a property that would allow me to shorten them?
 
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It does work. If [itex]n \ne m[/itex] are positive integers then

[tex]\int_0^L\ \sin(\frac{n\pi x}{L})\sin(\frac{m\pi x}{L})\, dx = 0[/tex]

Sturm-Liouville theory would guarantee this without working it out.
 


Sorry the limits are actually 0 to L/2, in this case it doesn't work, is there another property that would help evaluate the integral quicker or do I have to go through the whole thing every time?
 


The set of functions

[tex]\left \{ \sin\frac{2n\pi x}{L}\right\}[/tex]

are orthogonal on [0, L/2].
 


Is there anything like that for [tex] \left \{ \sin\frac{(2n)\pi x}{L}\right\ \left \sin\frac{(2n+1)\pi x}{L}\right\}[/tex]?
 


mmmboh said:
Is there anything like that for [tex] \left \{ \sin\frac{(2n)\pi x}{L}\right\ \left \sin\frac{(2n+1)\pi x}{L}\right\}[/tex]?

I doubt you will get zero, but why don't you just integrate it and see?
 

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