The Euler-Lagrange equation is a fundamental equation in the calculus of variations that provides a method for finding the path or function that minimizes or maximizes a certain quantity, often referred to as the action. This equation is derived from the principle of least action, which states that the path taken by a system is the one for which the action integral is stationary. Mathematically, if we consider a functional defined as:
where is the Lagrangian of the system, is the function to be determined, and is its derivative, the Euler-Lagrange equation is given by:
This equation must hold for all functions that satisfy the boundary conditions. The Euler-Lagrange equation is widely used in various fields such as physics, engineering, and economics to solve problems involving dynamics, optimization, and control.
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