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While reading a paper, I encountered the following statement:

Let $K$ be a convex compact subset of a locally convex topological vector space. If $\mu \in P(K)$ is a Radon probability measure on $K$, then there is a unique point $x_\mu \in K$ such that $$\int_K fd \mu = f(x_\mu)$$ for every continuous, affine, real-valued function $f: K \to \mathbb{R}$. Moreover, the map $P(K) \to K: \mu \mapsto x_\mu$ is a surjective affine map.

I consulted "Lectures on Choquet's theorem" but I couldn't find this version in the book. Does anybody know an appropriate reference/proof?

Edit: With an affine function $f: K \to \mathbb{R}$, I mean a function with the property

$$f\left(\sum_i \lambda_i k_i\right)= \sum_i \lambda_i f(k_i)$$ when $0 \le \lambda_i \le 1$ and $\sum_i \lambda_i = 1$, i.e. $f$ preserves convex combinations.

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1 Answer 1

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The point $x_\mu$ is the barycentre of the measure $\mu$. Its existence and uniqueness is Proposition 1.1 in "Lectures on Choquet's theorem" by Phelps.

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  • $\begingroup$ @R W But this proposition states something about $f \in E^*$ instead of affine functions! $\endgroup$
    – Andromeda
    Oct 20, 2021 at 15:15
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    $\begingroup$ What's the difference between affine and linear functions? $\endgroup$
    – R W
    Oct 20, 2021 at 15:21
  • $\begingroup$ @R W An affine map preserves convex combinations. A linear map is much stronger. $\endgroup$
    – Andromeda
    Oct 20, 2021 at 15:23
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    $\begingroup$ Not so much - think about it $\endgroup$
    – R W
    Oct 20, 2021 at 15:28
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    $\begingroup$ I presume Hahn - Banach would help $\endgroup$
    – R W
    Oct 20, 2021 at 16:00

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