Prove that a function is the quadratic form associated to

[Andrés85]

Homework Statement

Let G:R²[itex]\rightarrow[/itex]R be a C² function such that G(tx,ty)=t²G(x, y). Show that:

2G(x,y)=(x,y).HG(0,0).(x,y)^t

The Attempt at a Solution

G is C², so its Taylor expansion is:

G(x,y) = G(0,0) + [itex]\nabla[/itex]G(0,0).(x,y) + [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex](x,y).HG(c).(x,y)^t,

where c lies on the line segment that goes from (0,0) to (x,y).

Using that G(tx,ty)=t²G(x,y) I get that G(0,0) and the linear term equals 0.

The problem is that I have HG(c) in the quadratic term, but I need HG(0,0).

 

[HallsofIvy]

If c is not (0,0) then what do you mean by "c" and "HG(c)"? You are taking the Taylor expansion at (0, 0), are you not?

 

[Andrés85]

I can't increase the degree of the Taylor polynomial because G is C², so the second degree term is the remainder written in matrix notation.

HG(c) is the Hessian matrix of G evaluated at c, where c lies on the segment that goes from (0,0) to (x,y).

 

[Andrés85]

I solved the problem deriving two times the function f(t) = G(tx, ty). Thanks.