Orthonormal Set spanning the subspace (polynomials)

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
Cassi
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


In the linear space of all real polynomials with inner product (x, y) = integral (0 to 1)(x(t)y(t))dt, let xn(t) = tn for n = 0, 1, 2,... Prove that the functions y0(t) = 1, y1(t) = sqrt(3)(2t-1), and y2 = sqrt(5)(6t2-6t+1) form an orthonormal set spanning the same subspace as {x0, x1, x2}.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I was attempting to use the Legendre Polynomials Rules to show that these polynomials form the basis but when I devise the Legendre Polynomials, they are different than those given.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Cassi said:

Homework Statement


In the linear space of all real polynomials with inner product (x, y) = integral (0 to 1)(x(t)y(t))dt, let xn(t) = tn for n = 0, 1, 2,... Prove that the functions y0(t) = 1, y1(t) = sqrt(3)(2t-1), and y2 = sqrt(5)(6t2-6t+1) form an orthonormal set spanning the same subspace as {x0, x1, x2}.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I was attempting to use the Legendre Polynomials Rules to show that these polynomials form the basis but when I devise the Legendre Polynomials, they are different than those given.

What's stopping you? Can you prove they are orthogonal? Orthonormal? Span the same space?
 
So [itex]x_0= 1[/itex], [itex]x_1= t[/itex], and [itex]x_2= t^2[/itex]. What subspace do those span?

[itex]y_0(t) = 1[/itex], [itex]y_1(t) = \sqrt{3}(2t-1)[/itex], and [itex]y_2 = \sqrt{5}(6t^2-6t+1)[/itex]. Show that these span the same subspace as the above. To show that they are orthonormal (which would also show that they are independent) you need to do 6 integrals.

For example, [itex]\int_0^1 (y_0(t))^2 dt[/itex] must be equal to 1 while [itex]\int_0^1 y_0y_1 dt[/itex] must be equal to 0.