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?
 
What are the "Legendre Polynomials Rules"?
 
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.