Reflection-symmetric trials for a linearly weighted Rayleigh quotient

ID: reflection-symmetric-trials-for-a-linearly-weighted-rayleigh-quotient

For a nonzero trial function with and , substituting for proves . This gives the displayed Rayleigh quotient. The Poincaré inequality on an interval bounds it below by , with equality for a nonzero multiple of . Thus this sine is the best reflection-symmetric trial for , while the unrestricted lowest eigenfunction need not be reflection-symmetric. The polynomial gives , only a factor above the sine's value. Both are upper bounds on the unrestricted lowest eigenvalue by the Rayleigh-Ritz method.

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