Show that set is an orthonormal set in PC(0,l)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating that a specific set of functions forms an orthonormal set in the space PC(0,l). Participants are examining the inner product of the functions and the conditions under which orthonormality is satisfied.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the inner product calculation for the functions and claims it should equal the Kronecker delta, <\phi_m, \phi_n> = δ_{mn}.
  • Another participant asserts that the expression evaluates to 0 for m ≠ n and 1 for m = n, suggesting the original claim is correct.
  • A later reply expresses doubt about the correctness of the evaluation, indicating that the expression might be zero in both cases and suggests a re-evaluation.
  • Another participant points out that when evaluating the sine function at the boundaries, indeterminate forms may arise when m = n.
  • One participant recommends using the original integral form for m = n instead of the cosine identity, indicating potential errors in the previous derivation.
  • Concerns are raised about the handling of the product of cosine terms and the division by m - n in the integration process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the evaluation of the inner product and whether the original derivation contains errors. There is no consensus on the correctness of the calculations or the approach to proving orthonormality.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential issues with indeterminate forms and the choice of mathematical identities used in the derivation, which may affect the results. Specific assumptions about the functions and their properties are not fully resolved.

Shackleford
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Show that set \{ (2/l)^{1/2} sin(n-1/2)(\pi x/l)\}^\infty_1 is an orthonormal set in PC(0,l).
Of course, I need to show that &lt;\phi_m, \phi_n&gt; = \delta_{mn}
&lt;\phi_m, \phi_n&gt; = (2/l) \int_0^l sin(m-1/2)(\pi x/l) sin(n-1/2)(\pi x/l)\, dx<br /> \\ = 1/l \int_0^l cos(m-n)(\pi x/l) cos(m+n+1)(\pi x/l)\, dx<br /> \\ = \left( \frac 1 l \right) \frac {l} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m-n)(\pi x/l) \Big|_0^l - \left( \frac 1 l \right) \frac {l} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m+n+1)(\pi x/l)\ \Big|_0^l<br /> \\ = \frac {1} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m-n)(\pi x/l) \Big|_0^l - \frac {1} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m+n+1)(\pi x/l)\ \Big|_0^l<br />

I used the trig identity:
2 sin \theta sin \psi = cos(\theta - \psi) - cos(\theta + \psi)
 
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What is your question? The expression you have (you should check it out) = 0 for ##m\ne n## and =1 for ##m=n##.
 
mathman said:
What is your question? The expression you have (you should check it out) = 0 for ##m\ne n## and =1 for ##m=n##.

Thanks for the reply. When I looked at it, I could swear it's zero in both cases. Let me check again.
 
<br /> \\ = \frac {1} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m-n)(\pi x/l) \Big|_0^l - \frac {1} {\pi(m-n)} sin(m+n+1)(\pi x/l)\ \Big|_0^l<br />

When you evaluate at x = l and x = 0, the argument for sine is either zero or a multiple of pi. When m = n, there's an indeterminate form in the common term.
 
When m=n, I suggest you don't use the cos identity, but use the original form, where the integral is ##2/l\int_0^lsin^2((m-1/2)(\pi x/l))dx##.

I think you have some errors in the derivation. You have the product of cos terms, rather than the difference, although this seems to have been corrected for the next line. When you integrated the cos (m+n+!)...) term, you divided by m-n.
 

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