What is the significance of the Kronecker Delta subscript in integration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the significance of the Kronecker Delta function when its subscript is expressed as i+j, particularly in the context of an integral involving an exponential function. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and conceptual clarification related to integration and the properties of the Kronecker Delta in a second-year mathematical methods course.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of the Kronecker Delta subscript being i+j instead of the typical i,j.
  • Another participant mentions that the context was found in an assignment, which involved integrating an exponential function and equating it to a term involving the Kronecker Delta.
  • A participant explains that the Kronecker Delta function equals 1 when (m+n) = 0 and 0 otherwise.
  • A later reply provides a detailed evaluation of the integral, indicating that if m+n is not 0, the integral evaluates to 0, while if m+n = 0, the integral evaluates to 2π.
  • There is a suggestion that the notation used in the assignment may have been a mistake, but it remains uncorrected by the lecturer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the notation and its implications, with some agreeing on the properties of the Kronecker Delta while others question the correctness of the assignment's presentation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the appropriateness of the notation used.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function was not covered in the course, which may contribute to the confusion surrounding its application in the assignment.

theperthvan
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the Kronecker Delta function is
What does it mean when the subscript is not i,j but i+j?
 

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where did you see this with i+j?
 
It was in an assignment.
I wanted to post the whole question but have no idea how to use latex that well (only basic).
If you can get this, it was:
Show that:
Integrate[e^(ix(m+n)),{x,0,2pi}] = 2pi*delta(m+n)


the LHS should vaguely resemble a Mathematica input and the RHS (m+n) should be subscript.
I thought it might be a mistake in his notes but in the lecture he made no correction.
We haven't learned this function, but this is a 2nd year course on Mathematical Methods and the lecturer is in love with Mathematica. If it were a person I reckon he would marry it. so knowledge of the function wasn't rea;;y necessary.
 
In this case, it means 1 when (m+n) = 0 and 0 otherwise.
 
Integrate[e^(ix(m+n)),{x,0,2pi}] = 2pi*delta(m+n)
[tex]\int_0^{2\pi} e^{ix(m+n)} dx= 2\pi \delta_{m+n}[/tex]
(click on the equation to see the code)

If m+n is not 0, then the integral is
[tex]-\frac{i}{m+n}e^{ix(m+n)}[/tex]
evaluated from 0 to [itex]2\pi[/itex]. But [itex]e^{ix(m+n)}[/itex] is 0 at both 0 and [itex]2\pi[/itex] so the integral is 0.

If m+n= 0 then the integral is
[tex]\int_0^{2\pi}dx= 2\pi[tex] <br /> Yep, it looks like that "delta" should be "1 if m+n= 0, 0 otherwise".[/tex][/tex]
 

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