Schroeder's equation: simple observation

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In summary, the conversation discusses Schroeder's equation, which is a functional equation that involves finding a bijection and a constant that satisfies a given self-mapping function. It also explores the relationship between solving this equation and solving a difference equation, as well as the concept of conjugacy between self-mappings. The main conclusion is that if Schroeder's equation has a solution for a given function, then that function has one fixed point. The example of f(x)=2^x is used to illustrate this concept.
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phoenixthoth
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i was wondering if you could check this simple observation; there must be something wrong with it.

schroeder's equation is a functional equation. one version is given f, say a self-mapping of R, find bijection g (defined on R) and nontrivial constant r such that [tex]g\circ f=rg[/tex].

one utra nice result of solving this equation is that the n-th iterate of f can be calculated:
[tex]f^{n}\left( x\right) =g^{-1}\left( r^{n}g\left( x\right) \right) [/tex].

for example, if one is looking to solve the difference equation
[tex]a_{n+1}=f\left( a_{n}\right) [/tex]
then the solution is
[tex]a_{n}=f^{n}\left( a_{0}\right) [/tex], where the nth iterate of f is given above.

clearly, if schroeder's equation is solvable, then the difference equation is too. it isn't as clear to me that if the difference equation is solvable then schroeder's equation is solvable.

turning to conjugacy, let's say for the sake of argument that two self-mappings of R, f and h, are conjugate if there is a bijection g such that
[tex]f\circ g=g\circ h[/tex].

let Fix(f) denote the set of fixed points for the function f with respect to a given domain (let's stick to R). one can note that if f and h are conjugate, then Fix(f) has the same cardinality as Fix(h).

going back to the main equation, [tex]g\circ f=rg[/tex], let's assume that there are function g and constant r that satisfies this equation. then compose both sides with [tex]g^{-1}[/tex] to get
[tex]g\left( f\left( g^{-1}\left( x\right) \right) \right) =rx[/tex]. this equation holds for all x in R.

this means that f is conjugate to the linear function h(x)=rx which has one fixed point (we rule out the case when r=1).

since Fix(f) has the same cardinality as Fix(h), they being conjugates, f also has one fixed point.

in short, if schroeder has a solution for the given f then f has one fixed point.

the contrapositive of that is that if f does not have one fixed point then schroeder does not have a solution for the given f.

example: f(x)=2^x.

i'm mainly trying to show that 2^x doesn't admit a solution on all of R. this seems too trivial to be right because only a few functions would admit solutions to schroeder's equation...

WHAT GIVES!?
 
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##f(x)=2x## admits any linear ##g## as solution with ##r=2##: ##(g\circ f)(x)=g(f(x))=g(2x)=2g(x)##.
 

FAQ: Schroeder's equation: simple observation

What is Schroeder's equation?

Schroeder's equation, also known as the Schroeder wave equation, is a mathematical formula that describes the behavior of sound waves in a room or enclosed space. It takes into account factors such as reflection, absorption, and diffraction of sound waves.

How is Schroeder's equation used in science?

Schroeder's equation is commonly used in the field of acoustics to predict and analyze the behavior of sound in enclosed spaces, such as concert halls, theaters, and recording studios. It is also used in the design of acoustic materials and noise control systems.

What is the significance of "simple observation" in Schroeder's equation?

The term "simple observation" in Schroeder's equation refers to the fact that the equation is based on the principle of energy conservation, which can be observed in everyday situations. This makes it a more intuitive and easily understandable formula.

Can Schroeder's equation be applied to all types of sound waves?

Yes, Schroeder's equation can be applied to all types of sound waves, including both audible and inaudible frequencies. However, it is most commonly used for low frequency sound waves, as higher frequencies are typically affected more by other factors such as interference.

Are there any limitations to Schroeder's equation?

While Schroeder's equation is a useful tool for predicting sound behavior in enclosed spaces, it does have its limitations. It assumes a perfectly diffuse sound field and does not take into account other factors such as non-uniform air absorption and the effects of temperature and humidity on sound waves.

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