Chapter 8: Problem 3
Let \(\eta(t)=e^{-1 / t}\) for \(t>0, \eta(t)=0\) for \(t \leq 0\). a. For \(k \in \mathbb{N}\) and \(t>0, \eta^{(k)}(t)=P_{k}(1 / t) e^{-1 / t}\) where \(P_{k}\) is a polynomial of degree \(2 k\). b. \(\eta^{(k)}(0)\) exists and equals zero for all \(k \in \mathbb{N}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\eta^{(k)}(t)=P_{k}(1/t)e^{-1/t}\) and \(\eta^{(k)}(0)=0\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Function Definition
The given function is described as \( \eta(t) = e^{-1/t} \) for \( t > 0 \) and \( \eta(t) = 0 \) for \( t \leq 0 \). We need to investigate properties of its derivatives, particularly for \( t > 0 \) in part a, and for \( t = 0 \) in part b.
02
Derive \\( \eta^{(k)}(t) \\) for \\( t > 0 \\)
We need to derive \( \eta^{(k)}(t) \) assuming \( t > 0 \). Start with the first derivative: \[ \eta'(t) = \frac{d}{dt} \left( e^{-1/t} \right) = e^{-1/t} \cdot \left( \frac{1}{t^2} \right). \] This is because of the chain rule: \( \frac{d}{dt}(-1/t) = \frac{1}{t^2}. \). The first derivative can be seen as \( P_1(1/t) e^{-1/t} \) with \( P_1(x) = x^2 \), a polynomial of degree 2.
03
Generalize for Higher Derivatives
For the k-th derivative \( \eta^{(k)}(t) = P_k(1/t) e^{-1/t} \), where \( P_k(x) \) is a polynomial of degree \( 2k \). The polynomial arises from repeated application of the product rule and chain rule, leading to more factors of \( \frac{1}{t^2} \) and terms involving powers of \( 1/t \). Each differentiation introduces more factors of \( 1/t \), contributing to the polynomial's degree.
04
Analyze \\( \eta^{(k)}(0)\\)
For \( t \leq 0 \), \( \eta(t) = 0 \), thus for \( t = 0 \), \( \eta^{(k)}(0) \) would intuitively be from \( \lim_{t \to 0^+} \eta^{(k)}(t) \).The exponential term \( e^{-1/t} \) for any \( t > 0 \) tends to 0 very quickly as \( t \to 0^+ \), resulting in all derivatives at \( t = 0 \) equating to 0 because \( e^{-1/t} \) dominates \( (1/t)^n \) for any \( n \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivatives
Derivatives, in real analysis, are fundamental tools for measuring how a function changes. When you have a function like \( \eta(t) = e^{-1/t} \) for \( t > 0 \), finding the derivative involves applying rules to determine how the function behaves as \( t \) changes slightly. To compute the first derivative of \( \eta(t) \), you apply the chain rule, which helps us understand how composite functions are differentiated.
- The derivative \( \eta'(t) = \frac{d}{dt}(e^{-1/t}) \) involves differentiating \(-1/t \), which results in \( e^{-1/t} \cdot (1/t^2) \).
- Each subsequent derivative will introduce more factors like \( 1/t^2 \), increasing the complexity and degree of the resulting expression.
Polynomials
Polynomials are mathematical expressions involving sums of powers of variables. In this exercise, polynomials appear in the form of \( P_k(1/t) \), with \( P_k(x) \) being a polynomial of degree \( 2k \). This relates to the derivatives of \( \eta(t) \), where each derivative introduces more powers of \( 1/t \).
- As you compute higher derivatives, the expression for each \( k \)-th derivative embeds these polynomials naturally.
- This is due to repeated application of the chain and product rules, increasing the degree by 2 with each differentiation.
Chain Rule
The chain rule is an essential concept in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. It allows us to understand how changes in one function affect another when they are composed.
- For \( \eta(t) = e^{-1/t} \), the chain rule helps differentiate by addressing the outer function \( e^{u} \) and the inner function \( u = -1/t \).
- This lets us compute derivatives like \( \frac{d}{dt} e^{-1/t} = e^{-1/t} \cdot \frac{d}{dt}(-1/t) \).
Limits
In real analysis, limits are used to describe the behavior of functions as inputs approach a value. They become especially relevant when evaluating functions at points where they might be otherwise undefined, such as \( t = 0 \) in this example.
- The exercise involves computing \( \eta^{(k)}(0) \) using \( \lim_{t \to 0^+} \eta^{(k)}(t) \).
- As \( t \to 0^+ \), the term \( e^{-1/t} \) tends immediately to 0 faster than any polynomial expression related to \( 1/t \).
Mathematical Functions
Mathematical functions, like \( \eta(t) \), serve as rules or relationships that assign each input a specific output. These functions are the backbone of real analysis, describing continuous transitions and behaviors across their domains.
- In \( \eta(t) \) for \( t > 0 \), the function is defined as \( e^{-1/t} \), which decays very rapidly as \( t \) approaches zero.
- For \( t \leq 0 \), this function is set to 0, showcasing a piecewise definition that ensures continuity and controlled behavior over different intervals.