We are given a real $a > 0$. Let $E_4$ be the space of functions continuous on $[0,a]$, taking values in $\mathbb{R}$, of class $\mathcal{C}^1$ piecewise and furthermore satisfying $f(a) = 0$. Let $\varphi : [0,a] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be of class $\mathcal{C}^1$ satisfying $\varphi(a) = 0$ and, for all $x \in [0,a]$, $\varphi'(x) < 0$. Determine an inner product on $E_4$ such that the function $(x,y) \mapsto \min(\varphi(x), \varphi(y))$ is a reproducing kernel on the pre-Hilbert space $E_4$.
We are given a real $a > 0$. Let $E_4$ be the space of functions continuous on $[0,a]$, taking values in $\mathbb{R}$, of class $\mathcal{C}^1$ piecewise and furthermore satisfying $f(a) = 0$. Let $\varphi : [0,a] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be of class $\mathcal{C}^1$ satisfying $\varphi(a) = 0$ and, for all $x \in [0,a]$, $\varphi'(x) < 0$.\\
Determine an inner product on $E_4$ such that the function $(x,y) \mapsto \min(\varphi(x), \varphi(y))$ is a reproducing kernel on the pre-Hilbert space $E_4$.