# Prove that its a linear operator

1. Mar 4, 2009

### transgalactic

prove that a linear operator..
$$T(f):=\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x}$$

T(kf)=kT(f) part:
$$T(kf):=k\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2k\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x}=k(\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x})=kT(f)\\$$

is it correct??

2. Mar 4, 2009

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Yes it is. Now what is
$$\frac{d(f(x)+ g(x))}{dx}$$

3. Mar 4, 2009

### phreak

Yes, it's correct, but you skipped a skip in the derivation, if you want to be explicit. It should be:

$$T(kf)= \frac{d^2 (kf)}{dx^2} + 2\frac{d(kf)}{dx^2} = k\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2k\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x}=k(\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x})=kT(f)\\$$

Since the entire proof relies on this step, it is important to include it. Now to finish the proof you need to show $$T(f+g) = Tf + Tf$$.

4. Mar 4, 2009

### csprof2000

" T(f + g) = T(f) + T(f) "

Actually, what phreak meant was

" T(f + g) = T(f) + T(g) "

5. Mar 4, 2009

### transgalactic

i think its
$$\frac{d(f(x)+ g(x))}{dx}=\frac{d(f(x)+d(g(x)}{dx}$$

6. Mar 4, 2009

### transgalactic

af ter that
if i got a derivative of a sum and there is dx in the demoniator
then i just brake it into two peaces
$$T(f):=\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x}\\$$
$$T(f+g):=\frac{\mathrm{d^2(f+g)} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{d(f+g)} }{\mathrm{d} x}=\frac{\mathrm{d^2f} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{df} }{\mathrm{d} x}+\frac{\mathrm{d^2g} }{\mathrm{d} x^2}+2\frac{\mathrm{dg} }{\mathrm{d} x} =T(f)+T(g)$$

7. Mar 4, 2009

### Quantumpencil

Yep, that's right.