All Questions
707 questions
22
votes
2
answers
652
views
Does every positive continuous function have a non-negative interpolating polynomial of every degree?
Let $f:[a,b] \to (0,\infty)$ be a continuous function. Then is it necessarily true that for every $n\ge 1$, we can find $n+1$ distinct points $\{x_0,x_1,...,x_n\}$ in $[a,b]$ such that the ...
- 1,209
22
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Rigorous justification for this formal solution to $f(x+1)+f(x)=g(x)$
Let $g\in C(\Bbb R)$ be given, we want to find a solution $f\in C(\Bbb R)$ of the equation
$$
f(x+1) + f(x) = g(x).
$$
We may rewrite the equation using the right-shift operator $(Tf)(x) = f(x+1)$...
- 1,245
21
votes
1
answer
564
views
Partitions of ${\rm Sym}(\mathbb{N})$ induced by convergent, but not absolutely convergent series
Let $(a_n) \subset \mathbb{R}$ be a sequence such that the series
$\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ converges, but does not converge absolutely.
Then there is a partition of the symmetric group ${\rm Sym}(\...
- 19.6k
21
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Almost everywhere differentiability for a class of functions on $\mathbb{R}^2$
A while ago, I came across the following problem, which I was not able to resolve one way or the other.
Let $f,g\colon\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ be continuous functions such that $f(t,x)$ and $g(t,...
- 17.1k
21
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Boundedness of sum of sin(sin(n))
Playing with desmos I have accidentally noticed that the sequence of partial sums
$$\left\{ \sum_{n=1}^{N}\sin(\sin(n)) : N\geq 1 \right\}$$
is bounded.
However, I did not succeed in proving this ...
21
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Real rootedness of a polynomial
Let's consider $m$ and $n$ arbitrary positive integers, with $m\leq n$, and the polynomial given by:
$$ P_{m,n}(t) := \sum_{j=0}^m \binom{m}{j}\binom{n}{j} t^j$$
I've found with Sage that for every $...
- 1,889
20
votes
1
answer
686
views
Can all partial sums $\sum_{k=1}^n f(ka)$ where $f(x)=\log|2\sin(x/2)|$ be non-negative?
Let $f(x)=\log|2\sin(x/2)|$ (the normalizing factor $2$ is chosen to have the average over the period equal to $0$). Does there exist $a>0$ such that all sums $\sum_{k=1}^n f(ak)\ge 0$? The ...
- 61.9k
19
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Floors of powers of reals, how much do the first few determine the next?
Call an integer sequence $\mathbf{x}=\left( x_1,x_2,\cdots \right)$ feasible if it is $f(r)=\left(\lfloor r \rfloor, \lfloor r^2 \rfloor, \lfloor r^3 \rfloor,
\ldots, \lfloor r^n \rfloor, \ldots \...
- 30.1k
19
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What standard Banach space is isomorphic to the completion of this different normed structure on $\ell^1$?
A colleague asked me the following question:
"What can one do with the following norm on $\ell^1$: $|x|=\int_1^2 |x|_pdp$ where $| \;\; |_p$ is the standard norm on $\ell_p$?"
This ...
- 356
19
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Strange result about convexity
$f \in C^2([0,1])$ with $f''$ convex and $f(0) = f'(0) = f''(0) = 0$.
Is it true that : $f''(1)+6f(1)\geq 4f'(1)$ ?
Source: AoPS
- 4,074
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Comparing "axiomatized function spaces"
This was previously asked and bountied at math.stackexchange with no response. I've also tweaked the language for clarity; see the edit history for the broader context, and note that the existing ...
- 20.5k
17
votes
1
answer
989
views
Can two-point sets be Borel?
Recall that a two-point set is a subset of the plane which meets every line in exactly two points. Such a set was first constructed by Mazurkiewicz in 1914.
I wonder if the following question of ...
- 32.2k
18
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Generalization of Darboux's Theorem
Darboux's Theorem. If $f:[a,b]\to\mathbb R$ is differentiable and $f'(a)<\xi<f'(b)$, then there exists a $c\in (a,b)$, such that $\,f'(c)=\xi$.
Does any of the following generalizations
Let $U\...
- 2,933
17
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Decoupling a double integral
I came across this question while making some calculations.
QUESTION. Can you find some transformation to "decouple" the double integral as follows?
$$\int_0^{\frac{\pi}2}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}...
- 43.2k
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
"Find $\lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{x_n}{\sqrt{n}}$ where $x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$" -where does this problem come from?
Recently, I encountered this problem:
"Given a sequence of positive number $(x_n)$ such that for all $n$,
$$x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$$
Find the limit $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \...
- 327
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Explicit and fast error bounds for polynomial approximation
Main Question
This question is about finding explicit, calculable, and fast error bounds when approximating continuous functions with polynomials to a user-specified error tolerance.
EDIT (Apr. 23): ...
- 697
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Are continuous functions almost completely determined by their modulus of continuity?
Given a function $f: \mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$, we define its left modulus of continuity, $L(f): \mathbb{R} \times (0, \infty)\to [0,\infty]$ by
$$L(f)(x, e) := \sup \{d \ge 0 \,:\, f((x, x+d)) \...
- 2,069
16
votes
1
answer
661
views
Does every real function have this weak derivation property?
After this question : Does every real function have this weak continuity property?
Natrualy there are an other (more difficult) :
Is it true that for every real function $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}...
- 4,074
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
A natural center of a convex weakly compact set in Banach space
Question: Let $S$ be a convex weakly compact set in Banach space $H$. Propose a natural way to define the unique center $O \in S$.
Motivation: A lot! For example, in game theory $S$ can be a set of ...
- 161
16
votes
3
answers
1k
views
A kernel 'more analytic' than $\exp(-x^2)$
I am looking for an analytic function $F: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow (0,\infty)$ with $\int_{\mathbb{R}} F(x) \, dx = 1$ and the property, that $\sum\limits_{k=0}^{\infty} |c_k| \varepsilon^k (2k)! < \...
- 1,295
15
votes
0
answers
749
views
Prove $\int_{0}^{\infty} \cos(\omega x) \exp(-x^{\alpha}) \, {\rm d} x \ge {\alpha^2 \sqrt{\pi} \over 8} \exp \left( -\frac{\omega^2}{4} \right)$
I would like to prove that
$$\int_{0}^{\infty} \cos(\omega x) \exp(-x^{\alpha}) \, {\rm d} x \ge
{\alpha^2 \sqrt{\pi} \over 8} \exp \left( -\frac{\omega^2}{4} \right)$$
for any $\omega > 0$ and $...
- 178
15
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Characterizing $\mathbf{R}$ as an ordered group
A standard characterization of $\mathbf{R}$ uses the order and the field structure: any linearly ordered field that is archimedean and complete is isomorphic to $(\mathbf{R}, +, \times, <)$ as an ...
- 18.7k
15
votes
1
answer
904
views
Bijection $f: \mathbb R^n \to \mathbb R^n$ that maps connected onto connected sets must map closed connected onto closed connected sets?
Willie Wong asked here (MO) and here (MSE) very interesting question.
As he phrased it:
Let $(X,\tau), (Y,\sigma)$ be two topological spaces. We say that a map $f: \mathcal{P}(X)\to \mathcal{P}(Y)$ ...
- 225
15
votes
3
answers
903
views
Tauberian theorem $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-\lambda_{k}t}c_{k} \xrightarrow{t\to 0} \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}c_{k} $
I am trying to prove or disprove
$$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-\lambda_{k}t}c_{k} \xrightarrow{t\to 0} \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}c_{k} ,$$
where $\sum c_{k}<\infty, \sum c_{k}^{2}<\infty\text{ and }\frac{\...
- 5,474
15
votes
1
answer
858
views
Symbols of elliptic operators
First let me state the problem, then I'll explain its origin and finally, I'll ask the main question..
Problem S. Fix a positive integer $n$. Find all the pairs $(V, S)$, whith the following ...
- 34.7k
15
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Asymptotic expansion of $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{n!{\sqrt{n}} }$
I've been trying to find an asymptotic expansion of the following series
$$C(x) = \sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{n!{\sqrt{n}} }$$
and
$$L(x) = \sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{...
- 153
15
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow?
Let $f(x_1, \cdots, x_n) \in \mathbb{R}[x_1, \cdots, x_n]$ be a polynomial. Define property $\mathbf{P}$ to be the property that there exists a compact set $K \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ and a positive ...
- 26.9k
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Where does the Lebesgue differentiation theorem fail?
The Lebesgue differentiation theorem says that for certain metric spaces $X$ (see below), any Borel measure $\mu$ that is finite on bounded sets and any $f: X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ locally $\mu$-...
- 1,368
14
votes
2
answers
996
views
Does there exist some $C$ independent of $n$ and $f$ such that $ \|f''\|_p \geq Cn^2 \| f \|_p$, where $1 \leq p\leq \infty$?
Let $f$ be a trigonometric polynomial on the circle $\mathbb{T}$ with $\hat{f}(j) = 0$ for all $j \in \mathbb{Z}$ with $\lvert j \rvert < n$. Does there exist some $C$ independent of $n$ and $f$ ...
- 141
14
votes
1
answer
901
views
“Taylor series” is to “Volterra series” as “Padé approximant” is to _________?
Padé approximants are often better than Taylor series at representing a function. Given a Taylor series, one can use Wynn's epsilon algorithm to easily produce the Padé approximants to it.
Volterra ...
- 4,907
14
votes
0
answers
633
views
Classes of (non-continuous) functions with the fixed point property
Let $K$ be a convex body in $ R^d$. (Say, a ball, say a cube...) For which classes $ \cal C$ of functions, every function $ f \in {\cal C}$ which takes $K$ into itself admits a fixed point in $K$.
...
- 24.7k
14
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to prove $e^x\left|\int_x^{x+1}\sin(e^t) \,\mathrm d t\right|\le 1.4$?
Related question asked by me on Math SE a few days ago: How to prove $e^x\left|\int_x^{x+1}\sin(e^t) \,\mathrm d t\right|\le 1.4$?
A few days ago, somebody asked How to prove $ \mathrm{e}^x\left|\...
- 1,326
14
votes
2
answers
807
views
Integral of power of binomials equal to sum of power of binomials?
Inspired by this MO question about integrating binomial coefficients and the answers, I was wondering whether integrating powers of binomial coefficients also relates to the respective sums. And ...
- 4,014
14
votes
1
answer
481
views
A question on a real sequence
Let $\{a_n\}_{n\ge1}$ be a real sequence that decays faster than any algebraic speed, that is, $\lim_{n\to \infty} n^pa_n = 0$ for every positive integer $p$. Assume that $$\sum_{n\ge 1}(n+1)^kn^ka_n =...
- 903
13
votes
0
answers
710
views
Minimizing total variation under constraint
For $p\in[0,1]$, we write $\mathrm{Ber}(p)$
to denote the Bernoulli measure on $\{0,1\}$;
that is, $\mathrm{Ber}(p)(0)=1-p$,
$\mathrm{Ber}(p)(1)=p$.
For $n\in\mathbb{N}$ and $p=(p_1,\ldots,p_n)\in[0,1]...
- 6,541
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is there an increasing function on $[a, b]$ which is differentiable, but not absolutely continuous？
Is there an increasing function on
$[a, b]$ which is differentiable,
but not absolutely continuous？
- 577
13
votes
3
answers
820
views
Is there a Borel subset of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $, with finite vertical cross-sections, whose projection onto the first component is non-Borel?
This question is related to another one that I asked two days ago.
Question. Does there exist a Borel subset $ M $ of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $ with
the following two properties?
The ...
- 1,396
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is the exponential function the sole solution to these equations?
Let us take the exponential function $\lambda^z$ where $0 < \lambda < 1$. There are many great uniqueness conditions this holomorphic function satisfies. For example, it is the only function ...
user78249
13
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Finding f such that f(f(x))=g(x) given g
Suppose $g(x)$ is a smooth increasing function defined for $x \ge 0$ such that $g(x) \ge x$ for all $x$. Does there exist a function $f$ with similar properties such that $f(f(x))=g(x)$ for all $x \ge ...
- 15.4k
13
votes
7
answers
35k
views
Real analysis has no applications?
I'm teaching an undergrad course in real analysis this Fall and we are using the text "Real Mathematical Analysis" by Charles Pugh. On the back it states that real analysis involves no "applications ...
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Looking for sufficient conditions for positive Fourier transforms
I am looking for some sufficient conditions for an even, continuous, nonnegative, non-increasing, non-convex function to be non-negative definite. In other words
$$
\int_0^\infty f(x)\cos(x\omega) \, ...
- 178
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Low-degree polynomial approximation of the piecewise-linear function $x \mapsto \max(x, 0)$ on an interval $x \in [-R,R]$
For $R > 0$, consider the piecewise-linear function $\sigma_R: [-R,R] \rightarrow \mathbb R^+$, defined by $\sigma_R(x) := \max(x,0)$.
Question
Given $\epsilon> 0$, find a "low-degree" ...
- 6,853
12
votes
1
answer
448
views
An interesting inequality
Let $\mathbb{R}$ be the real field. For any homogeneous polynomial $f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ in $\mathbb{R}[X_1,\cdots,X_n]$, we use $S_f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ to denote the following homogeneous symmetric ...
- 1,997
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Proof of Green's formula for rectifiable Jordan curves
$\newcommand{\Ga}{\Gamma}$
I am trying to find a proof of Green's formula for rectifiable Jordan curves $\Ga$ (and the corresponding interior regions $R$). There is a proof by Ridder, followed by ...
- 128k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Implicit function theorem at a singular point?
Let $F:\mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be three times continuously differentiable in some open neighborhood $\mathcal{U}$ of $(0,0)$. Suppose that $F(0,0) = F_x(0,0) = F_y(0,0) = F_{xy}(0,0) = 0$ ...
- 123
12
votes
1
answer
352
views
A problem involving the Error Function
I am looking at the following function on the domain $x\geq 0$:
$$F(x)=(x+a)e^{x^2}(1-\mathrm{erf}(x))-\frac{b}{\sqrt\pi},$$
where $a>0$, $0<b<1$ are parameters. From plotting this function ...
- 389
12
votes
1
answer
596
views
Equality of two $q$-series. Proof?
Recall the notation $(z;q)_n=(1-z)(1-zq)(1-zq^2)\cdots(1-zq^{n-1})$.
My earlier MO question did not find enough interest or yield an answer. Perhaps the modulo $2$ part might have thrown people off. ...
- 43.2k
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Counterexamples to differentiation under integral sign, revisited
Let $f\colon\mathbb R^2\to\mathbb R$ be a measurable function such that
\begin{equation*}
F(t):=\int_{\mathbb R}dx\,f(t,x)
\end{equation*}
exists and is finite for all real $t$. Suppose that
\...
- 128k
12
votes
5
answers
2k
views
analysis over non-Archimedean ordered fields
Can anyone suggest any good references for (or any experts on) analysis over non-Archimedean ordered fields, such as the field of rational functions in one variable (ordered at 0, or if you prefer at ...
- 19.7k
12
votes
1
answer
927
views
On an Inequality of Lars Hörmander
Let $P(z)$ be a non-null complex polynomial in $\nu$ variables $z=(z_1,\dots,z_n)$ of degree $\mu$:
\begin{equation}
P(z)=\sum_{|\alpha| \leq \mu} c_{\alpha} z^{\alpha},
\end{equation}
where as usual ...
- 640