Paper 2, Section I, F

Topics in Analysis | Part II, 2011

(i) Let x1,x2,,xn[1,1]x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} \in[-1,1] be any set of nn distinct numbers. Show that there exist numbers A1,A2,,AnA_{1}, A_{2}, \ldots, A_{n} such that the formula

11p(x)dx=j=1nAjp(xj)\int_{-1}^{1} p(x) d x=\sum_{j=1}^{n} A_{j} p\left(x_{j}\right)

is valid for every polynomial pp of degree n1\leqslant n-1.

(ii) For n=0,1,2,n=0,1,2, \ldots, let pnp_{n} be the Legendre polynomial, over [1,1][-1,1], of degree nn. Suppose that x1,x2,,xn[1,1]x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} \in[-1,1] are the roots of pnp_{n}, and A1,A2,,AnA_{1}, A_{2}, \ldots, A_{n} are the numbers corresponding to x1,x2,,xnx_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} as in (i).

[You may assume without proof that for n1,pnn \geqslant 1, p_{n} has nn distinct roots in [1,1].[-1,1] . ]

Prove that the integration formula in (i) is now valid for any polynomial pp of degree 2n1\leqslant 2 n-1.

(iii) Is it possible to choose nn distinct points x1,x2,,xn[1,1]x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} \in[-1,1] and corresponding numbers A1,A2,,AnA_{1}, A_{2}, \ldots, A_{n} such that the integration formula in (i) is valid for any polynomial pp of degree 2n\leqslant 2 n ? Justify your answer.

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