Exercises CIV441 Computational Analysis

Dr T M Michelitsch – Sheet 2

Problem 2: Linear Operators – Eigenvalue Problems

The differential operator
d
D=
dx
maps any function f (x) ∈ F.S. onto its derivative, namely Df (x) =
d
dx f (x). The differential operator D has eigenfunctions of the form
Φα (x) = eαx with

Deαx = αeαx

a) Determine a full set of linear independent eigenfunctions Φi(x)

for a given eigenvalue λ 6= 0 (e.g. λ = 10):

D2Φ(x) = λΦ(x)
Hint: ’Try’ Φ = eαx and determine all possible α (roots of
characteristic equation). For each root αi you have a linear inde-
pendent eigenfunction. Do so for
b)
D3Φ(x) = λΦ(x)
c)
D4Φ(x) = λΦ(x)
d)
(D − 1)2Φ(x) = λΦ(x)
e)
DnΦ(x) = λΦ(x)
How many linear independent eigenfunctions hence do exist in the
general case e)?
f) Simplified version of the eigenvalue problem problem of Can-
tilevered Beam:
Consider again the eigenvalue problem of a):
No we assume λ not to be given in advance. Instead we impose the
two boundary conditions:
Φ(x = 0) = 0 (1)
d
Φ(x = L) = 0 (2)
dx
Determine those (the admissible) eigenvalues λn for which a linear
combination of eigenfunctions (which were determined in a)) can be
found to fulfill the boundary conditions.

g) Eigenvalue problem related to Beamtheory:

Consider again the fourth-order eigenvalue problem of c): We as-
sume now that λ is not given in advance. Instead we have to fulfill
four Boundary Conditions, namely

Φ(x = 0) = 0 (1)
d
Φ(x = 0) = 0 (2)
dx
Φ(x = L) = 0 (3)
d
Φ(x = L) = 0 (4)
dx

where L > 0 is length of the beam. Only those values of λ compat-

ible with the boundary conditions are admissible eigenvalues of λn
of the eigenvalue problem.
Determine the admissible eigenvalues λn and give to each λn a lin-
ear combination of eigenfunctions (which were determined in c))
fulfilling the boundary conditions.