What Happens When Two Delta Dirac Functions Interact?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and interactions of Dirac delta functions, particularly in the context of integrals involving two delta functions. Participants explore the implications of having two delta functions, specifically when they are equal or distinct, and how this affects the evaluation of integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants examine the integral of a function multiplied by two delta functions, questioning the outcomes when the delta functions are at the same point versus different points. Some express uncertainty about the validity of their reasoning.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights into the properties of delta functions, with some suggesting that the integral evaluates to zero when the delta functions are at different locations. Others have built on these ideas, noting how the properties of delta functions can be applied in multi-dimensional integrals.

Contextual Notes

There is an underlying curiosity rather than a strict homework requirement, which allows for a more exploratory discussion of the mathematical properties involved.

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This isn't really homework, I'm just curious. So I'm dealing with the delta dirac function, and I was just wondering what would happen if we had two functions.

So the sampling property,

[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\,\,dt = f(a)[/tex]

Now what if we had:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\delta(t-b)\,\,dt =?[/tex]

What would happen?
My guess would be the following:

If [itex]a = b[/itex]:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\delta(t-b)\,\,dt =\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(a)\,\,dt =\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(b)\,\,dt[/tex]

If [itex]a \neq b[/itex]:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\delta(t-b)\,\,dt = 0[/tex]

Or is my answer or question just nonsense?

-Thanks
 
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[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\delta(t-b)\,\,dt = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} F(t)\delta(t-a)\,\,dt = F(a) = 0[/tex]

where I have put [tex]F(t) = \delta(t-b)f(t)[/tex] so that [tex]F(a) = \delta(a-b)f(a)=0[/tex] if [tex]a\neq b[/tex]
 
benorin said:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(t)\delta(t-a)\delta(t-b)\,\,dt = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} F(t)\delta(t-a)\,\,dt = F(a) = 0[/tex]

where I have put [tex]F(t) = \delta(t-b)f(t)[/tex] so that [tex]F(a) = \delta(a-b)f(a)=0[/tex] if [tex]a\neq b[/tex]

Thanks benorin!

That was (for lack of a better word) nifty how you just used the property that f(t)\delta(t-a)=f(a) by defining a function that encapsulated what was necessary to use the property :smile: Really cool.

Well, I'm actually glad I asked the question then.

Thanks again.
 
If you want to combine delta functions, of somewhat more importance is the fact that
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x,y)\delta(x-a)\delta(y-b)dxdy= f(a,b)[/tex]
 
Interesting.

So I'm guessing that works as follows:
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} f(x,y)\delta(x-a)\delta(y-b)dxdy= \int_{\infty}^{\infty}dy \, \delta(y-b)\, [ f(a,y) ] = f(a,b)[/tex]

Where, [itex]\delta(y-b)[/itex] is held constant while integrating through [itex]dx[/itex].
 
Last edited:

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