Show that the functions [tex]\( f_1(x) = e^x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f_2(x) = x e^{-x} - e^{-x} \)[/tex] are orthogonal on [tex]\([0, 2]\)[/tex].



Answer :

To show that the functions [tex]\( f_1(x) = e^x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f_2(x) = x e^{-x} - e^{-x} \)[/tex] are orthogonal on the interval [tex]\([0, 2]\)[/tex], we need to compute the inner product of these two functions over the given interval and show that this inner product is zero.

The inner product of two functions [tex]\( f_1(x) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f_2(x) \)[/tex] over the interval [tex]\([a, b]\)[/tex] is defined as:
[tex]\[ \langle f_1, f_2 \rangle = \int_a^b f_1(x) f_2(x) \, dx \][/tex]

In this case, we need to compute:
[tex]\[ \langle f_1, f_2 \rangle = \int_0^2 e^x \left( x e^{-x} - e^{-x} \right) \, dx \][/tex]

Let's simplify the integrand first:
[tex]\[ e^x \left( x e^{-x} - e^{-x} \right) = e^x x e^{-x} - e^x e^{-x} \][/tex]

Then:
[tex]\[ e^x x e^{-x} = x \][/tex]
and
[tex]\[ e^x e^{-x} = 1 \][/tex]

Thus, the integrand becomes:
[tex]\[ x - 1 \][/tex]

Now, the integral to compute is:
[tex]\[ \int_0^2 (x - 1) \, dx \][/tex]

We can split this integral into two simpler integrals:
[tex]\[ \int_0^2 (x - 1) \, dx = \int_0^2 x \, dx - \int_0^2 1 \, dx \][/tex]

First, compute [tex]\(\int_0^2 x \, dx\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \int_0^2 x \, dx = \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} \right]_0^2 = \frac{2^2}{2} - \frac{0^2}{2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2 \][/tex]

Next, compute [tex]\(\int_0^2 1 \, dx\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ \int_0^2 1 \, dx = \left[ x \right]_0^2 = 2 - 0 = 2 \][/tex]

Putting it all together:
[tex]\[ \int_0^2 (x - 1) \, dx = 2 - 2 = 0 \][/tex]

Since the inner product [tex]\(\langle f_1, f_2 \rangle\)[/tex] is zero, this shows that the functions [tex]\( f_1(x) = e^x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f_2(x) = x e^{-x} - e^{-x} \)[/tex] are indeed orthogonal on the interval [tex]\([0, 2]\)[/tex].

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