version of the fundamental lemma of calculus of variations
Lemma. If a real function is continuous on the interval and if
for all functions continuously differentiable on the interval and vanishing at its end points, then on the whole interval.
Proof. We make the antithesis that does not vanish identically. Then there exists a point of the open interval such that ; for example . The continuity of implies that there are the numbers and such that and for all . Now the function defined by
fulfils the requirements for the functions . Since both and are positive on the open interval , we however have
Thus the antithesis causes a contradiction. Consequently, we must have .