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Let $z=F(x,y)$ be a function from $\mathbb R^d\times \mathbb R$ to $\mathbb R$ and $z=F(x,y)$ is Lipschitz continuous. Assume that for any $x\in\mathbb R^d$, there is a unique $y$ such that $F(x,y)=0$. Let $y=y(x)$ be a function that is produced by the implicit function $F(x,y)=0$. Can we prove that $y=y(x)$ is also Lipschitz continuous? Thank you!

Motivation of this question: Most of analysis of implicit functions uses strong assumptions to prove the uniqueness of $y$ given $x$. These assumptions are often violated in applications. If we already know the existence of the implicit function, can we directly show that the implicit function is Lipschitz continuous?

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  • $\begingroup$ If $F$ is Lipschitz *bi-*continuous in $y$, then the answer is yes and the proof roughly goes along the same lines as the usual implicit function theorem proof. $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 4, 2021 at 10:46

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The answer is no.

Theorem. Let $f:\mathbb{R}^d\to\mathbb{R}$ be any continuous function. Then there is a Lipschitz function $F:\mathbb{R}^d\times\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ such that for every $x\in\mathbb{R}^d$, $F(x,y)=0$ if and only if $y=f(x)$.

Proof. Let $G\subset\mathbb{R}^{d}\times\mathbb{R}$ be the graph of $f$. Then the set $G$ is closed, and the function $F:\mathbb{R}^d\times\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ defined by $$ F(x,y)=\operatorname{dist}((x,y),G) $$ is $1$-Lipschitz continuous. Since $F$ vanishes exactly on $G$,we have that for every $x\in\mathbb{R}^d$, $F(x,y)=0$ if and only if $(x,y)\in G$, i.e. $y=f(x)$. $\Box$

There are examples of Lipschitz functions $F(x,y)$ as in your problem, with the zero set $y=f(x)$ being given by a discontinuous function $f$.

Example. Let $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$, $f(x)=1/x$ if $x\neq 0$, and $f(0)=0$. Note that the graph $G$ of $f$ is a closed subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$. Therefore, the above construction gives $F(x,y):\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ with the zero zet being the graph of $y=f(x)$ which is a discontinuous function. Note however, that the function $y=f(x)$ is unbounded. $\Box$

Theorem. Suppose that $F:\mathbb{R}^n\times\mathbb{R}^m\to\mathbb{R}$ is continuous and $M>0$ is a constant. If for every $x\in\mathbb{R}^n$ there is a unique $y=y(x)\in\mathbb{R}^m$ such that $$ |y(x)|\leq M \quad \text{and} \quad F(x,y(x))=0, $$ then the function $\mathbb{R}^n\ni x\mapsto y(x)\in\mathbb{R}^m$ is continuous.

Proof. Suppose that $x_i\to x$. We need to prove that $y(x_i)\to y(x)$. Suppose to the contrary that this is not the case so there is $\varepsilon$ and a subsequence such that $$ (*) \quad \quad \quad |y(x_{i_j})-y(x)|\geq\varepsilon. $$ Since $|y(x_{i_j})|\leq M$ is bounded, we can select a convergent subsequence $y(x_{i_{j_k}})\to y$, $|y|\leq M$. Continuity of $F$ yields $$ 0=F(x_{i_{j_k}},y(x_{i_{j_k}}))\to F(x,y). $$ That is $|y|\leq M$ and $F(x,y)=0$, which by the assumptions in the theorem mean that $y=y(x)$, so $y(x_{i_{j_k}})\to y(x)$ and we arrive at a contradiction with (*). $\Box$

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  • $\begingroup$ Thank you very much! Does it mean that although $f$ may not be Lipschitz continuous, it must be continuous? Also, how can I prove the remark? $\endgroup$
    – zbh2047
    Commented Jun 4, 2021 at 4:26
  • $\begingroup$ @zbh2047 Continuous only if bounded. I will add a proof later. It is already past midnight. $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 4, 2021 at 4:28
  • $\begingroup$ The counter example is very nice! I know what the problem is. May I ask a further question? If $F(x,y)$ is monotonically non-decreasing in $y$ given $x$, but $y=y(x)$ may not be bounded, can I obtain the continuity property of $y=y(x)$? Thank you again! $\endgroup$
    – zbh2047
    Commented Jun 5, 2021 at 5:07
  • $\begingroup$ @PiotrHajlasz What a nice Prelim question! $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 6, 2021 at 2:53
  • $\begingroup$ @BehnamEsmayli I had the same idea as you! $\endgroup$ Commented Jun 6, 2021 at 3:56

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