 Definition: The Dirac delta function is a special kind of improper function that is

defined as

0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥=
∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 0

We use the symbol 𝛿 (𝑥 ) to express the function. The function is zero everywhere
except at a certain point where the value of the function is very high. The
integral of the function is defined by

𝛿(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 1

The graphical representation of the function is defined by

We cannot define delta function without the help of some another function let
𝑓(𝑥). If 𝑓(𝑥) be an ordinary function being continuous everywhere then the
following identity is always true

𝑓(𝑥)𝛿(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓 (0) 𝛿 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓 (0)

Here the integration need not to be in the limit of −∞ to ∞ it can be evaluated

over any values of 𝑥.
We have considered the case where the Dirac delta function is only defined
at 𝑥 = 0. Now we will consider the delta function at 𝑥 = 𝑎. At 𝑥 = 𝑎 the function
is defined as follows
 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎
𝑥=
∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 𝑎

The integral of the function at 𝑥 = 𝑎 is defined by

𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝑑𝑥 = 1

If 𝑓(𝑥) be an ordinary function being continuous everywhere then the following

identity is always true

𝑓 (𝑥 )𝛿 (𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓 (𝑎) 𝛿 (𝑥 − 𝑎) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑎)

 Integral form of delta function: Some known functions can be expressed as a

delta function under some certain conditions as an example if we consider the
integral of the function where 𝑥 is the independent variable and 𝑘 is the
dependent variable

1 1
𝑒 𝑑𝑘 = lim 𝑒 𝑑𝑘
2𝜋 → 2𝜋

Evaluating the integral under the limit we obtain the expression

1 𝑒 −𝑒
lim
→ 𝜋𝑥 2𝑖

Now we are familiar with this expression it can be written in the form of

1
lim sin 𝐿𝑥
→ 𝜋𝑥

This function right here behaves exactly like a delta function when 𝐿
approaches to infinity reaches to a very high value at 𝑥 = 0 and is zero at
𝑥 ≠ 0. This is nothing but the definition of the delta function. So, it is evident that

1
lim sin 𝐿𝑥 = 𝛿(𝑥)
→ 𝜋𝑥

 Dirac Delta Function in three dimensions: Let a delta function is defined at 𝑟 =

𝑟 in three dimensions. Then as per the definition we can write
 0 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 ≠ 0
𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑟 ) =
∞ 𝑖𝑓 𝑟 = 0

The integral of the given function is defined by

𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑟 )𝑑𝑣 = 1

And under the influence of a continues function 𝑓(𝑥) the above relation
becomes more general. For three dimensional spaces the above identity
becomes

𝑓(𝑟)𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑟 ) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑟 ) 𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑟 ) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑟 )

 Properties of delta function:

1. 𝛿(𝑥) is an even function, i.e. 𝛿(𝑥) = 𝛿(−𝑥)
Proof: Let, 𝑓(𝑥) be an arbitrary function. Now from the definition we know the
relation

𝑓 (𝑥 )𝛿 (𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(0) − − − − − − − − − −(1)

Now if we consider another delta function 𝛿(−𝑥) associated with 𝑓(𝑥) we get
the expression

𝑓 (𝑥 )𝛿 (−𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥

We cannot tell the value of the expression as it does not satisfy the definition of
delta function. Let 𝑥 = −𝑦 and thus 𝑑𝑥 = −𝑑𝑦. Using these relations on above
equations we get

𝑓(−𝑦)𝛿(𝑦)(−𝑑𝑦)

Inverting the limits will give rise to a negative sign which cancels out with the
negative sign before 𝑑𝑥 and now by using the fundamental definition of delta
function we get
 𝑓(−𝑦)𝛿(𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = 𝑓(0)

And finally changing the variable once more we get

𝑓(𝑥)𝛿(−𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(0) − − − − − − − − − −(2)

Now comparing equation (1) and (2) we can say that 𝛿(𝑥) = 𝛿(−𝑥) thus it
proves the first property.
( )
2. If a delta function be 𝛿(𝑥) then one of its important properties is 𝛿(𝑎𝑥) = | |
Proof: By the fundamental definition of delta function composited with an
arbitrary function f(x) we get

𝑓 (𝑥 )𝛿 (𝑎𝑥 )𝑑𝑥

Changing variables, we let 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥, so that 𝑥 = , and 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑦. If a is positive,

the integration still runs from −∞ to ∞, but if 𝑎 is negative, then 𝑥 = ∞ implies 𝑦 =
−∞, and vice versa, so the order of the limit is reversed. Restoring the proper
order costs, a minus sign. Thus

𝑦 𝑑𝑦 1 𝑦 𝑓(0) 𝑓(0)
± 𝑓 𝛿 (𝑦) =± 𝑓 𝛿 (𝑦)𝑑𝑦 = ± =
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 |𝑎|

Therefore, the lower signs apply when 𝑎 is negative, and we account for this
nearly by putting absolute value bars around the final 𝑎, as indicated. Under
the integral sign, then, 𝛿(𝑎𝑥) serves the same purpose as (1/|𝑎|)𝛿(𝑥)

1
𝑓(𝑥) 𝛿(𝑎𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥)[ 𝛿(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
|𝑎|

Therefore, the identity is proven.

3. The divergence of the vector 𝑟̂ is equal to 4𝜋𝛿(𝑟)

Proof: Consider the vector function 𝑣 = 𝑟̂ . At every location the 𝑣⃗ is directed
radially outwards. Now applying Gauss’s Divergence Theorem on vector 𝑣⃗ we
get
 (∇⃗ ∙ 𝑣⃗)𝑑𝑉 = 𝑣⃗ ∙ 𝑛𝑑𝐴

Evaluating the left-hand side of the integral yields zero. As per the condition
the divergence of vector 𝑣⃗ is zero, i.e. (∇⃗ ∙ 𝑣⃗) = 0. For the right-hand side, we will
evaluate the integral over a sphere of surface 𝐴 and radius 𝑅.

1
𝑣⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝐴⃗ = ( 𝑟̂ ) ∙ (𝑅 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃𝑟̂ ) = ( 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑑𝜃)( 𝑑∅) = 4𝜋
𝑅

As this result is true regardless of how small the radius 𝑅 is so we can replace

1
∇⃗ ∙ 𝑟̂ = 4𝜋𝛿(𝑟⃗)
𝑟

Thus, the identity is proved.

4. If there is a function 𝑔(𝑥) where 𝑔(𝑎) = 0 and 𝑔́ (𝑎) ≠ 0 then we can show that

𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝛿{𝑔(𝑥)} =
|𝑔́ (𝑎)|

Proof: Expanding 𝑔(𝑥) up to second term in Taylor Expansion we obtain 𝑔(𝑥 ) =

( )
𝑔(𝑎) + (𝑥 − 𝑎) + ⋯ given 𝑔(𝑎) = 0. Now from the definition of Dirac delta
!
function

𝑓(𝑥) 𝛿{𝑔(𝑥)}𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝛿{(𝑥 − 𝑎)𝑔́ (𝑎)}𝑑𝑥

( )
Using the fact 𝛿(𝑎𝑥) = | |
we can re write the previous equation as

1
𝑓(𝑥) 𝛿{(𝑥 − 𝑎)𝑔́ (𝑎)}𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑥) 𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)𝑑𝑥
|𝑔́ (𝑎)|

Comparing these two equations we get

𝛿(𝑥 − 𝑎)
𝛿{𝑔(𝑥)} =
|𝑔́ (𝑎)|

Thus, the given identity is proved.