(i) Consider the integral equation
ϕ(x)=−λ∫abK(x,t)ϕ(t)dt+g(x)
for ϕ in the interval a≤x≤b, where λ is a real parameter and g(x) is given. Describe the method of successive approximations for solving ( † ).
Suppose that
∣K(x,t)∣≤M,∀x,t∈[a,b]
By using the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality, or otherwise, show that the successive-approximation series for ϕ(x) converges absolutely provided
∣λ∣<M(b−a)1.
(ii) The real function ψ(x) satisfies the differential equation
−ψ′′(x)+λψ(x)=h(x),0<x<1
where h(x) is a given smooth function on [0,1], subject to the boundary conditions
ψ′(0)=ψ(0),ψ(1)=0.
By integrating (⋆), or otherwise, show that ψ(x) obeys
ψ(0)=21∫01(1−t)h(t)dt−21λ∫01(1−t)ψ(t)dt
Hence, or otherwise, deduce that ψ(x) obeys an equation of the form ( † ), with
K(x,t)={21(1−x)(1+t),21(1+x)(1−t),0≤t≤x≤10≤x≤t≤1 and g(x)=∫01K(x,t)h(t)dt
Deduce that the series solution for ψ(x) converges provided ∣λ∣<2.