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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Principle of Least Action is a Theorem of d'Alembert's Functional Equation

Authors: Washburn;

The Principle of Least Action is a Theorem of d'Alembert's Functional Equation

Abstract

Recognized formatting cleanup task for mathematical text We prove that the principle of least action is a theorem of d'Alembert's classical functional equation. Starting from the cost functional J(x) = ½(x + x⁻¹) − 1, the unique continuous solution of d'Alembert's equation in calibrated form, we construct the J-action S[γ] = ∫ₐᵇ J(γ(t)) dt on the space of admissible paths. The convexity of J on (0, ∞) propagates to convexity of S on the convex hull of any two admissible paths in the path space. From this single fact follows the unconditional principle of least action: any admissible path that does not strictly decrease the action toward a competitor (along even one positive interpolation step) globally minimizes the action against that competitor. The Euler-Lagrange equation, Newton's second law, the Hamiltonian formalism, and Noether's theorem all follow as corollaries. The entire derivation is formalized in Lean 4 with zero sorry declarations and zero user-declared axioms beyond Mathlib. The single bridge axiom of the d'Alembert classification (Aczél's C⁰ → C∞ smoothness theorem) is inherited from the upstream uniqueness paper and consumed only in the continuity-only formulation.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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