Questions about the delta function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and application of the delta function, specifically in the context of an integral involving a substitution. Participants are examining the implications of using the delta function with a negative argument.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate the integral involving the delta function by applying a substitution. Some participants question the correctness of the sign in the result and the implications of the substitution on the bounds of the integral.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's reasoning, raising questions about the treatment of the delta function and the effects of substitution. There is an exploration of different interpretations regarding the limits of integration and the resulting expressions.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the handling of the delta function and the assumptions made during the substitution process. The discussion highlights potential confusion regarding the treatment of zero in the context of the delta function.

rmiller70015
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Homework Statement


I just have a quick question about the delta function, I'm pretty confident in most other cases but in this simple one I'm not so sure.

$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \phi (x)\delta (-x)dx$$

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \phi (x)\delta (-x)dx$$
Using substitution where u=-x and du=-dx:
$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \phi (-u)\delta (u)(-du) = -\phi (0)$$
Is this correct?
 
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Wouldn't that yield ##\phi(-0)## instead of ##-\phi(0)## ?
 
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BvU said:
Wouldn't that yield ##\phi(-0)## instead of ##-\phi(0)## ?
I'm not entirely sure. I do realize that there should be a negative inside the phi test function but I omitted it because it's zero anyway and I would have had to account for it if the delta function was something like (x-a), but here I didn't. However, when I do the substitution I have to deal with a negative u differential which makes the whole function negative in my mind.
 
And the bounds of the integral ?
 
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Ahh the bounds so when I do the substitution I get:
$$-\int_{\infty}^{-\infty} \phi (-u)\delta (u)du$$
Then I change my limits and lose the negative.
Thank you.
 

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