Is this statement true for an arbitrary real function? If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$.
$begingroup$
Is this statement true for arbitrary real functions? If so, how to prove it?
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$.
integration
$endgroup$
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Is this statement true for arbitrary real functions? If so, how to prove it?
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$.
integration
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30
|
show 2 more comments
$begingroup$
Is this statement true for arbitrary real functions? If so, how to prove it?
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$.
integration
$endgroup$
Is this statement true for arbitrary real functions? If so, how to prove it?
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$.
integration
integration
edited Jan 22 at 15:16
Blue
48.6k870156
48.6k870156
asked Jan 22 at 15:13
fsociety_1729fsociety_1729
82
82
1
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30
|
show 2 more comments
1
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30
1
1
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
2
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
2
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30
|
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
It is false in general: take a function that equals $1$ on some point, and $0$ everywhere else.
For continuous functions it is true.
Proof: suppose $f:[a,b]to mathbb{R}$ is continuous and not identically zero. Let $x_0 in [a,b]$ such that $f(x_0)neq 0$, then $f(x_0)^2 > 0$. Since $f$ is continuous, $f^2$ is also continuous so there exists an interval with non-empty interior containing $x_0$ where $f(x)^2 > eta$ where $eta = f(x_0)^2/2$. Let $ell > 0$ be the length of this interval. By breaking the interval into three pieces, and noticing that $f(x)^2geq 0$ for all $x in [a,b]$ one obtains that $int_a^b f^2 geq ell cdot eta > 0$. In particular, $int_a^b f^2 neq 0$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, this is not true. For example you can pick $f(x)=0$ except for a finite set of points for which you can assign arbitrary nonzero values. Then the integral of $f^2$ is still $0$. Intuitively speaking, the integral measures the area behind the graph of the function, and modifying a finite set of points of the graph does not modify the area.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
Your statement is true, if you change it like that
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$ a.e. (a.e. = almost everywhere).
And the opposite direction holds as well ... $ddotsmile$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
Your Answer
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
3
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oldest
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votes
$begingroup$
It is false in general: take a function that equals $1$ on some point, and $0$ everywhere else.
For continuous functions it is true.
Proof: suppose $f:[a,b]to mathbb{R}$ is continuous and not identically zero. Let $x_0 in [a,b]$ such that $f(x_0)neq 0$, then $f(x_0)^2 > 0$. Since $f$ is continuous, $f^2$ is also continuous so there exists an interval with non-empty interior containing $x_0$ where $f(x)^2 > eta$ where $eta = f(x_0)^2/2$. Let $ell > 0$ be the length of this interval. By breaking the interval into three pieces, and noticing that $f(x)^2geq 0$ for all $x in [a,b]$ one obtains that $int_a^b f^2 geq ell cdot eta > 0$. In particular, $int_a^b f^2 neq 0$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It is false in general: take a function that equals $1$ on some point, and $0$ everywhere else.
For continuous functions it is true.
Proof: suppose $f:[a,b]to mathbb{R}$ is continuous and not identically zero. Let $x_0 in [a,b]$ such that $f(x_0)neq 0$, then $f(x_0)^2 > 0$. Since $f$ is continuous, $f^2$ is also continuous so there exists an interval with non-empty interior containing $x_0$ where $f(x)^2 > eta$ where $eta = f(x_0)^2/2$. Let $ell > 0$ be the length of this interval. By breaking the interval into three pieces, and noticing that $f(x)^2geq 0$ for all $x in [a,b]$ one obtains that $int_a^b f^2 geq ell cdot eta > 0$. In particular, $int_a^b f^2 neq 0$.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
It is false in general: take a function that equals $1$ on some point, and $0$ everywhere else.
For continuous functions it is true.
Proof: suppose $f:[a,b]to mathbb{R}$ is continuous and not identically zero. Let $x_0 in [a,b]$ such that $f(x_0)neq 0$, then $f(x_0)^2 > 0$. Since $f$ is continuous, $f^2$ is also continuous so there exists an interval with non-empty interior containing $x_0$ where $f(x)^2 > eta$ where $eta = f(x_0)^2/2$. Let $ell > 0$ be the length of this interval. By breaking the interval into three pieces, and noticing that $f(x)^2geq 0$ for all $x in [a,b]$ one obtains that $int_a^b f^2 geq ell cdot eta > 0$. In particular, $int_a^b f^2 neq 0$.
$endgroup$
It is false in general: take a function that equals $1$ on some point, and $0$ everywhere else.
For continuous functions it is true.
Proof: suppose $f:[a,b]to mathbb{R}$ is continuous and not identically zero. Let $x_0 in [a,b]$ such that $f(x_0)neq 0$, then $f(x_0)^2 > 0$. Since $f$ is continuous, $f^2$ is also continuous so there exists an interval with non-empty interior containing $x_0$ where $f(x)^2 > eta$ where $eta = f(x_0)^2/2$. Let $ell > 0$ be the length of this interval. By breaking the interval into three pieces, and noticing that $f(x)^2geq 0$ for all $x in [a,b]$ one obtains that $int_a^b f^2 geq ell cdot eta > 0$. In particular, $int_a^b f^2 neq 0$.
answered Jan 22 at 15:26
user1892304user1892304
1,482917
1,482917
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:28
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
$begingroup$
@user637244 take $f:[0,1] to mathbb{R}$ such that $f(0)=1$ and $f(x) = 0$ for all $0<xleq 1$
$endgroup$
– user1892304
Jan 22 at 15:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
No, this is not true. For example you can pick $f(x)=0$ except for a finite set of points for which you can assign arbitrary nonzero values. Then the integral of $f^2$ is still $0$. Intuitively speaking, the integral measures the area behind the graph of the function, and modifying a finite set of points of the graph does not modify the area.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
No, this is not true. For example you can pick $f(x)=0$ except for a finite set of points for which you can assign arbitrary nonzero values. Then the integral of $f^2$ is still $0$. Intuitively speaking, the integral measures the area behind the graph of the function, and modifying a finite set of points of the graph does not modify the area.
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
No, this is not true. For example you can pick $f(x)=0$ except for a finite set of points for which you can assign arbitrary nonzero values. Then the integral of $f^2$ is still $0$. Intuitively speaking, the integral measures the area behind the graph of the function, and modifying a finite set of points of the graph does not modify the area.
$endgroup$
No, this is not true. For example you can pick $f(x)=0$ except for a finite set of points for which you can assign arbitrary nonzero values. Then the integral of $f^2$ is still $0$. Intuitively speaking, the integral measures the area behind the graph of the function, and modifying a finite set of points of the graph does not modify the area.
answered Jan 22 at 15:20
Jose BroxJose Brox
3,15711128
3,15711128
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
$begingroup$
It is true, however, if you identify such functions in the usual way.
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:23
1
1
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
@Klaus After you've identified functions that differ only on a set of measure zero, they are not functions anymore (contrary to the popular abuse of language).
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Jan 22 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
Can you give me an example of where this statement can be true?
$endgroup$
– fsociety_1729
Jan 22 at 15:31
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@user637244 Do you mean an example in which your conjecture is true, or an specific example of my argument?
$endgroup$
– Jose Brox
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
$begingroup$
@lisyarus Well, technically you are right. What I was trying to say is that the statement is correct if you add "almost everywhere".
$endgroup$
– Klaus
Jan 22 at 15:34
|
show 4 more comments
$begingroup$
Your statement is true, if you change it like that
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$ a.e. (a.e. = almost everywhere).
And the opposite direction holds as well ... $ddotsmile$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your statement is true, if you change it like that
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$ a.e. (a.e. = almost everywhere).
And the opposite direction holds as well ... $ddotsmile$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Your statement is true, if you change it like that
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$ a.e. (a.e. = almost everywhere).
And the opposite direction holds as well ... $ddotsmile$
$endgroup$
Your statement is true, if you change it like that
If $int_{a}^{b} f^2(x) = 0$ then $f(x) = 0$ a.e. (a.e. = almost everywhere).
And the opposite direction holds as well ... $ddotsmile$
answered Jan 22 at 15:51
MaksimMaksim
60718
60718
add a comment |
add a comment |
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1
$begingroup$
No take the dirac delta function
$endgroup$
– Tsemo Aristide
Jan 22 at 15:14
$begingroup$
No. take $f(x)=0$ for $x<1$ and $f(1)=1$. However for continuous functions your statement is true.
$endgroup$
– Maksim
Jan 22 at 15:15
$begingroup$
dirac function isn't a real function as title asks but not body...)
$endgroup$
– coffeemath
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
@TsemoAristide: The Dirac delta function is not a function but a distribution.
$endgroup$
– gerw
Jan 22 at 15:16
2
$begingroup$
This is true if you add the condition that $f$ be continuous.
$endgroup$
– ncmathsadist
Jan 22 at 15:30