Total time derivatives preserve fixed-endpoint Euler-Lagrange equations
ID: total-time-derivatives-preserve-fixed-endpoint-euler-lagrange-equations
Total time derivatives preserve fixed-endpoint Euler-Lagrange equations by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-11-05
Adding a total derivative to a Lagrangian changes its action only by . Under fixed-endpoint variations, this boundary term is constant, so the Euler-Lagrange equations and their minimizing paths are unchanged. Componentwise, by equality of mixed partial derivatives. Endpoint freedom would require reconsidering the resulting natural boundary conditions for a free endpoint.
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