Vector space of functions defined by a condition

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The discussion revolves around defining the vector space V of continuous functions f on the interval [0, 2], with distinct polynomial forms on the subintervals [0, 1] and [1, 2]. The basis for V is proposed to consist of {x, x^2} for [0, 1] and {x^3, x^2, x, 1} for [1, 2]. A critical point raised is the requirement for continuity at x=1, leading to a relationship among the coefficients a, b, A, B, C, and D, which ultimately results in five independent parameters. The dimension of the space V is confirmed to be five, and the challenge lies in constructing a suitable basis that meets the continuity condition. The conversation emphasizes the need for careful selection of piecewise functions to ensure they belong to V and maintain continuity at the transition point.
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Homework Statement
Main body is to be referred.
Relevant Equations
Main body should be referred.
##f : [0,2] \to R##. ##f## is continuous and is defined as follows:
$$
f = ax^2 + bx ~~~~\text{ if x belongs to [0,1]}$$
$$
f(x)= Ax^3 + Bx^2 + Cx +D ~~~~\text{if x belongs to [1,2]}$$

##V = \text{space of all such f}##

What would the basis for V? Well, for ##x \in [0,1]## the basis for ##V## (or those f’s can be constructed) is ##\{x, x^2\}##, and for ##x\in [1,2]## the basis for ##V## is ##\{x^3, x^2, x, 1\}##. I wonder how to combine it, and can I find the dimension of V without finding the basis for V?
 
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To construct a basis you need to find a set of functions that belong to your vector space from which any other function in the vector space can be constructed. What have you thought of doing so far?
 
I think the basis of this V is some functions that also change formula depending on where x belongs. I got some idea but I ll explain further if this hint is not enough.
 
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Hall said:
Homework Statement:: Main body is to be referred.
Relevant Equations:: Main body should be referred.

##f : [0,2] \to R##. ##f## is continuous and is defined as follows:
$$
f = ax^2 + bx ~~~~\text{ if x belongs to [0,1]}$$
$$
f(x)= Ax^3 + Bx^2 + Cx +D ~~~~\text{if x belongs to [1,2]}$$

##V = \text{space of all such f}##

What would the basis for V? Well, for ##x \in [0,1]## the basis for ##V## (or those f’s can be constructed) is ##\{x, x^2\}##, and for ##x\in [1,2]## the basis for ##V## is ##\{x^3, x^2, x, 1\}##. I wonder how to combine it, and can I find the dimension of V without finding the basis for V?

On the face of it, six real numbers are required to specify f: (a,b,A,B,C,D). But f must be continuous at 1. What condition does that impose on (a,b,A,B,C,D)?
 
pasmith said:
On the face of it, six real numbers are required to specify f: (a,b,A,B,C,D). But f must be continuous at 1. What condition does that impose on (a,b,A,B,C,D)?
##f(1)=f(1)##
##a+ b = A + B + C +D##
##a = A +B +C +D -b##
Only 5 of them are independent.
 
Delta2 said:
I think the basis of this V is some functions that also change formula depending on where x belongs. I got some idea but I ll explain further if this hint is not enough.
How about this:
$$
\text{Basis} = \{x , x^2\} ~~~~~\text{if x belongs to [0,1]}$$

$$
\text{Basis} = \{1, x, x^2, x^3\} ~~~~\text{if x belongs to [1,2]}$$
 
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Hall said:
How about this:
$$
\text{Basis} = \{x , x^2\} ~~~~~\text{if x belongs to [0,1]}$$

$$
\text{Basis} = \{1, x, x^2, x^3\} ~~~~\text{if x belongs to [1,2]}$$
No I don't mean that unfortunately.
I mean to define some functions like for example ##f_3:[0,2]\to R## with $$f_3(x)=0 ,x\in [0,1]$$$$f_3(x)=x^3,x\in [1,2] $$and then it is obvious at least to me that this ##f_3## is one of the basis vectors of V.
 
Delta2 said:
No I don't mean that unfortunately.
I mean to define some functions like for example ##f_3:[0,2]\to R## with $$f_3(x)=0 ,x\in [0,1]$$$$f_3(x)=x^3,x\in [1,2] $$and then it is obvious at least to me that this ##f_3## is one of the basis vectors of V.
I’m sorry I’m unable to grasp the concept, but let me try once again:
$$
f_3(x) = x^2 +x ~~~~x \in [0,1]$$
$$
f_3(x) = x^3 +x^2 +x +1 ~~~~ x\in [1,2]$$
 
Hall said:
I’m sorry I’m unable to grasp the concept, but let me try once again:
$$
f_3(x) = x^2 +x ~~~~x \in [0,1]$$
$$
f_3(x) = x^3 +x^2 +x +1 ~~~~ x\in [1,2]$$
hmm I am not sure if this ##f_3## qualifies as basis for V let me think...
 
  • #10
Well it seems that ##f_3## of yours generates a subspace of V.
 
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  • #11
Can you try to write down 5 different functions that you think might be linearly independent? Try to keep them as simple as possible (e.g. monomials are better than many terms in a sum)
 
  • #12
Office_Shredder said:
Can you try to write down 5 different functions that you think might be linearly independent? Try to keep them as simple as possible (e.g. monomials are better than many terms in a sum)
##f_1(x)=1##
##f_2(x) =x##
##f_3(x) = x^2##
##f_4(x)= x^3##

Keeping the context of this question in mind, I couldn’t write the fifth one.
 
  • #13
Delta2 said:
Well it seems that ##f_3## of yours generates a subspace of V.
Not even, that function is not in ##V## because it is not continuous at x=1.
 
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  • #14
Delta2 said:
No I don't mean that unfortunately.
I mean to define some functions like for example ##f_3:[0,2]\to R## with $$f_3(x)=0 ,x\in [0,1]$$$$f_3(x)=x^3,x\in [1,2] $$and then it is obvious at least to me that this ##f_3## is one of the basis vectors of V.
This too is not continuous at x=1.
 
  • #15
Hall said:
##f(1)=f(1)##
##a+ b = A + B + C +D##
##a = A +B +C +D -b##
Only 5 of them are independent.
So can you figure out 5 ways of assigning the independent constants such that the resulting functions are linearly independent?
 
  • #16
Hall said:
##f_1(x)=1##
##f_2(x) =x##
##f_3(x) = x^2##
##f_4(x)= x^3##

Keeping the context of this question in mind, I couldn’t write the fifth one.
The middle two are fine, but ##f_1## and ##f_3## aren't elements of your space! You have to define these piecewise.
 
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  • #17
Office_Shredder said:
The middle two are fine, but ##f_1## and ##f_3## aren't elements of your space! You have to define these piecewise.
Sorry, but ##f_2## and ##f_3## are the middle ones.

Considering that you meant ##f_1## and ##f_4##, I would say
$$
f_1(x) = 1 ~~~~~~~ x \in [1,2]$$
Else,
$$
f_1(x) = 0 ~~~~~~~~ x \in [0,1]$$

Why would ##f_4(x) = x^3## not belong to V? It is the case when ##A=1, B=C=D=0##?
 
  • #18
Hall said:
Sorry, but ##f_2## and ##f_3## are the middle ones.

Considering that you meant ##f_1## and ##f_4##, I would say
$$
f_1(x) = 1 ~~~~~~~ x \in [1,2]$$
Else,
$$
f_1(x) = 0 ~~~~~~~~ x \in [0,1]$$

Why would ##f_4(x) = x^3## not belong to V? It is the case when ##A=1, B=C=D=0##?
Again, that ##f_1## is not in V because it is not continuous at x=1. Your basis functions must satisfy all requirements to be in V.

Hall said:
Why would f4(x)=x3 not belong to V? It is the case when A=1,B=C=D=0?
Because on [0,1] it is not of a correct functional form to be in V.

Please, do not overthink this and consider post #15.
 
  • #19
Orodruin said:
So can you figure out 5 ways of assigning the independent constants such that the resulting functions are linearly independent?
Yes, but it is not something I have done before so I’m unable to kinda absorb it.

I can understand, for example, that ##x^3 + 3x^2+ 5x## and ##x^3+ x^2 +x### are independent functions.
 
  • #20
Hall said:
Yes, but it is not something I have done before so I’m unable to kinda absorb it.
Well, start by writing down one such combination.
 
  • #21
Orodruin said:
Well, start by writing down one such combination.
##f_1(x) = 5 x^2 + 5x##
##f_2(x)= x^3 + 2x^2 + 3x + 4##
##f_3(x)= x^2 + 13 x##
##f_4(x)= 2x^3 +3 x^2 +4x+ 5##
##f_5{x} = x^2##
 
  • #22
Check that ##V## is a subspace.

By continuity at ##x=1## we have
<br /> a+b = A+B+C+D.<br />
The solution space for the above is of dimension ##5##. More explicitly, put
<br /> V\to \mathbb R^5,\quad \begin{cases} ax^2+bx, &amp;x\in [0,1] \\ Ax^3+Bx^2+Cx+D, &amp;x\in [0,2] \end{cases} \mapsto (A+B+C+D-b,b,A,B,C)<br />
for example and convince yourself it is an injective linear map. Since isomorphisms map bases to bases, pick your favourite basis in ##\mathbb R^5## and map it to a basis in ##V##.
 
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  • #23
Consider <br /> \begin{split}<br /> f_1 &amp;: x \mapsto \begin{cases} x &amp; x \in [0,1] \\ 1 &amp; x \in (1,2] \end{cases} \\<br /> f_2 &amp;: x \mapsto \begin{cases} 0 &amp; x \in [0,1] \\ x - 1 &amp; x \in (1,2]. \end{cases} \end{split}<br /> Then every degree 1 polynomial in V is a linear combination of f_1 and f_2.
 
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  • #24
Hall said:
##f_1(x) = 5 x^2 + 5x##
##f_2(x)= x^3 + 2x^2 + 3x + 4##
##f_3(x)= x^2 + 13 x##
##f_4(x)= 2x^3 +3 x^2 +4x+ 5##
##f_5{x} = x^2##
This is just guessing. ##f_2## and ##f_4## are not in V. 1,3 and 5 are linearly dependent.
 
  • #25
Orodruin said:
This is just guessing
I simply took ##A = 1, B=2, C= 3, D= 4, a= 5## for ##f_1## and ##f_2##, and ##a= 1, A=2, B=3, C=4, D=5## for ##f_3## and ##f_4##.
 
  • #26
Elements of ##V## are defined piecewise. So too should your basic elements be defined as such.
 
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  • #27
Hall said:
I simply took ##A = 1, B=2, C= 3, D= 4, a= 5## for ##f_1## and ##f_2##, and ##a= 1, A=2, B=3, C=4, D=5## for ##f_3## and ##f_4##.
Why would you put all of the constants non-zero? Your interpretation of what it means becomes lacking.

Start with this: What is the function for which ##a=A=1## and ##B=C=D=0##? (The value of ##b## should follow)
 
  • #28
pasmith said:
Consider <br /> \begin{split}<br /> f_1 &amp;: x \mapsto \begin{cases} x &amp; x \in [0,1] \\ 1 &amp; x \in (1,2] \end{cases} \\<br /> f_2 &amp;: x \mapsto \begin{cases} 0 &amp; x \in [0,1] \\ x - 1 &amp; x \in (1,2]. \end{cases} \end{split}<br /> Then every degree 1 polynomial in V is a linear combination of f_1 and f_2.
$$
f_3(x)=
\begin{cases}
x^2 & x \in [0,1]\\
1 & x \in(1,2] \\
\end{cases}$$
$$
f_4(x) =
\begin{cases}
0 & x \in[0,1] \\
x^2 -1 & \in (1,2]\\
\end{cases}$$
All the second order polynomials in V are linear combinations of ##f_1, f_2, f_3## and ##f_4##?
 
  • #29
Orodruin said:
Start with this: What is the function for which a=A=1 and B=C=D=0? (The value of b should follow)
$$
f_1 =
\begin{cases}
x^2 & x \in[0,1]\\
x^3 & x \in[1,2]\\
\end{cases}$$
 
  • #30
Hall said:
$$
f_1 =
\begin{cases}
x^2 & x \in[0,1]\\
x^3 & x \in[1,2]\\
\end{cases}$$
Ok, so now, what if you pick ##A=1## and ##B=C=D=a=0##?
 

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