Did Ackbach Solve This Week's Advanced Math POTW Correctly?

  • MHB
  • Thread starter Euge
  • Start date
In summary, the POTW (Problem of the Week) is a weekly puzzle or problem created by Ackbach, a scientist and problem solver. Solutions to the POTW are provided by Ackbach on their website, along with a detailed explanation of how they arrived at the solution. While Ackbach's solutions are typically correct, it is encouraged to double-check and try to solve the problem independently. Ackbach also welcomes submissions of alternative solutions from others.
  • #1
Euge
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MHB
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Here is this week's POTW:

-----
Show that, for every compactly supported, smooth, real valued function $f : \Bbb R^3 \to \Bbb R$,

$$\iiint_{\Bbb R^3} \nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\| \mathbf{x} - \mathbf{y}\|}\right) f(\mathbf{x})\, d\mathbf{x} = -4\pi f(\mathbf{y})$$-----

Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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  • #2
This week’s problem was correctly solved by Ackbach. You can read his solution below.

The Green's function for the Laplacian operator $\nabla^2$ is
$$G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})=-\frac{1}{4\pi\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|},$$
or
$$-4\pi G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})=\frac{1}{\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|}.$$
By the properties of the Green's function, we have that
$$ \iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2\left(\frac{1}{\|\mathbf{x}-\mathbf{y}\|}\right)f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
\iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2\left(-4\pi G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})\right)f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
-4\pi \iiint_{\mathbb{R}^3}\nabla^2G(\mathbf{x},\mathbf{y})f(\mathbf{x})\,d\mathbf{x}=
-4\pi f(\mathbf{y}),
$$
as needed.
 

Related to Did Ackbach Solve This Week's Advanced Math POTW Correctly?

What is the POTW?

The POTW stands for Problem of the Week, which is a weekly puzzle or problem posed by Ackbach on their website for people to solve.

How is the POTW solved?

The solution to the POTW is provided by Ackbach on their website. They typically provide a detailed explanation of how they arrived at the solution.

Who is Ackbach?

Ackbach is a scientist and problem solver who creates and shares the POTW on their website. They have a background in physics and mathematics and enjoy challenging problems.

Is Ackbach's solution to this week's POTW correct?

Ackbach's solutions are typically correct, but it is always good to double-check and try to solve the problem yourself before looking at the solution. If you have any doubts or questions, you can reach out to Ackbach for clarification.

Can I submit my own solution to the POTW?

Yes, Ackbach encourages people to submit their own solutions to the POTW. They sometimes feature alternative solutions on their website, and it can be a fun way to engage with the problem and learn from others' approaches.

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