Problems related to eigenvalue equations

1. Determine which of the following functions are eigenfunctions to the operator d

dx

(a): e ikx ; (b): cos(kx) ; (c) : k ; (d): kx ; (e): e − x

2

Give the corresponding eigenvalue where appropriate

Answer:

In each case form Ωf . If the result is f where is a constant, then f is an eigenfunction

of the operator Ω and is the eigenvalue

de ikx ikx
(a): = ike , yes: eigenvalue = ik
dx

(b): d cos(kx) = −k sin kx; no

dx

(c): dk = 0; yes; eigenvalue 0

dx

(d): dkx = k = 1 kx; no [ 1 is not a constant]

dx x x

de − x
2

= −2 xe − x ; no [ − 2 x is not a constant]
2
(e):
dx
2. Determine which of th following functions are eigenfunctions of the inversion operator
iˆ (which has the effect of making the replacement x → - x.

Answer :

( a ) : x3 − kx ; ( b ) : coskx ; (c):x 2 + 3x −1.

State the eigenvalue of iˆ when appropriate
Operate on each function with iˆ ; if the function is
regenerated multiplied by a constant, it is an eigenfunction
of iˆ and the constant is the eigenvalue.

( b ) : f = coskx ; (c)
iˆcoskx = cosk(-kx) = coskx = f
Therefore, f is an eigenfunction with eigenvalue, +1

( c ) : f = x 2 + 3x −1
iˆ (x 2 + 3x − 1 ) =x 2 − 3x −1 ≠ (constant)*f
Therefor, f not an eigenfunction to iˆ
 2
3. 1. Determine which of the following functions are eigenfunctions to the operator d
dx 2

(a): e ikx ; (b): cos(kx) ; (c) : k ; (d): kx ; (e): e − x

2

Give the corresponding eigenvalue where appropriate

In each case form Ωf . If the result is f where is a constant, then f is an eigenfunction

of the operator Ω and is the eigenvalue

Answer:

2 ikx
(a): d (e ) = − k2 e ikx , y e s :eigenvalue = −k 2
dx 2
2
(b): d cos(kx) = − k2 cos kx; yes : eigenvalue= - k 2
dx2
2
(c): d k = 0; yes; eigenvalue 0
dx 2
2
(d): d (kx) = 0 = 0(kx); yes eigenvalue 0
dx 2
2 − x2
d e 2 2 − x2
(e): = (−2 + 4 x )e ; no
dx 2

d2
Hence (a,b,c,d) are eigenfunctions of ;
dx 2
d2 d
(b,d) are eigenfunctions of 2 , but not of .
dx dx