Normalize[] gives incorrect answer for some norm functions
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg118006] Normalize[] gives incorrect answer for some norm functions
- From: Stefan <wutchamacallit27 at gmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 8 Apr 2011 04:14:34 -0400 (EDT)
I believe I have found a fault in the Normalize function where the
returned expression is incorrectly normalized for certain norm functions.
Ironically enough, the best example seems to be one found in the
documentation page for Normalize, under the section Generalizations
and Extensions. The documentation is as follows:
Normalize a polynomial with respect to integration over the interval
-1 to 1:
In[1]:= Normalize[1+x+x^2,Integrate[#^2,{x,-1,1}]&]
Out[1]= 5/22 (1+x+x^2)
The function appears to have calculated Integrate[(1+x+x^2)^2,
{x,-1,1}], seen the result to be 22/5, and then simply divided the
function by this value. However, this is not the correct normalization
factor, since integrating the result under the same norm does not give
an answer of 1.
In[2]:= Integrate[%^2, {x, -1, 1}]
Out[2]= 5/22
It seems to me that the error is due to the simplicity with which the
function works, it does not take into account that the norm function
squares the parameter in the integral. The correct answer would be
Sqrt[5/22] (1+x+x^2) , so that its magnitude in the given norm is 1.
I am running 8.0.0 (havent downloaded the update yet, my apologies if
this is fixed already)
{8.0 for Microsoft Windows (64-bit) (November 7, 2010),8.0.0.0
(1803527, 1802949)}