Paper 4, Section I, 2F2 F

Topics in Analysis | Part II, 2012

Let A1,A2,…,AnA_{1}, A_{2}, \ldots, A_{n} be real numbers and suppose that x1,x2,…,xn∈[−1,1]x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} \in[-1,1] are distinct. Suppose 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 ⩽2n−1\leqslant 2 n-1. Prove the following:

(i) Aj>0A_{j}>0 for each j=1,2,…,nj=1,2, \ldots, n.

(ii) ∑j=1nAj=2\sum_{j=1}^{n} A_{j}=2.

(iii) x1,x2,…,xnx_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots, x_{n} are the roots of the Legendre polynomial of degree nn.

[You may assume standard orthogonality properties of the Legendre polynomials.]

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