All Questions
1,222 questions
14
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Are weak and strong convergence of sequences not equivalent?
For some infinite-dimensional Banach spaces $E$, it is easy to find sequences $\langle x_i:i\in\mathbb N_0\rangle$ which converge to zero weakly but not in the norm topology, i.e. we have $\lim_{i\to\...
14
votes
1
answer
694
views
Criterion for a Banach algebra to be finite dimensional
Let $A$ be a Banach algebra (say, complex and unital) and suppose that every (closed) commutative subalgebra of $A$ is finite dimensional.
Question. Does it follow that $A$ is finite dimensional?
...
14
votes
2
answers
873
views
Which finite dimensional Banach spaces can be represented isometrically as spaces of bounded operators on a finite dimensional Hilbert space?
Background:
It is known that every Banach space $X$ can be embedded isometrically as a subspace in the space $C(K)$ of continuous functions on a compact Hausdorff space $K$. Indeed, one can take $K$ ...
14
votes
1
answer
922
views
What are the applications of the Mazur-Ulam Theorem?
Every bijective isometry between normed spaces is affine. This well-known and beautiful statement, the Mazur-Ulam Theorem, was proved in 1932, but the proof has been simplified and polished in years, ...
14
votes
0
answers
205
views
Have there been further developments on this scheme for polytope approximations to the unit ball of $\ell_p^n$?
A long time ago I happened to look at, and save (on a floppy disk!) for future reading, a copy of the following article:
W. T. Gowers, Polytope approximations of the unit ball of $l^n_p$.
In Convex ...
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is the category of Banach spaces with contractions an algebraic theory?
Consider the category of Banach spaces with contractions as morphisms (weak, so $\|T\| \le 1$). Is this an algebraic theory?
I suspect that this is true. The "operations" will be weighted sums, ...
13
votes
1
answer
911
views
Are $L^\infty(\Bbb R)$ and $L^2(\Bbb R)$ homeomorphic?
It's easy to see that, for $1\le p,q< \infty$ the spaces $L^p(\Bbb R)$ and $L^q(\Bbb R)$ of $p$-th and $q$-th power integrable functions on the real line are homeomorphic as topological spaces. In ...
13
votes
2
answers
768
views
How hard (P, NP, NP-hard) is it to compute Schur norms of matrices (as multipliers)?
Given a matrix $A\in M_n(\mathbb{C})$, I will denote by $||A||_\infty$ the operator norm of $A$, as seen acting on the Hilbert space $\mathbb{C}^n$. This makes $M_n(\mathbb{C})$ into a Banach space (...
13
votes
2
answers
653
views
The geometry of $\mathbb{R}^n$
Let $X,Y$ be finite-dimensional real normed spaces. Consider the set of linear operators $L(X,Y)$ between the two spaces.
Then we define the set of equivalence classes
$$G(X,Y):=\left\{[T]; T,S \in ...
13
votes
2
answers
552
views
Existence of closed operators with arbitrary dense domain of a given Banach space
Consider any Banach space $X$, and let $Y$ be any dense subspace, then does it necessarily exist a closed linear operator $T$ defined on $X$, such that the domain of $T$ is exactly $Y$, i.e., $D(T)=Y$?...
13
votes
1
answer
401
views
Is there a reflexive Banach space whose ball is not the convex hull of its extreme points?
Let $X$ be a reflexive Banach space. Then the convex hull of the extreme points of the unit ball is weakly dense by the Krein-Milman theorem and Kakutani's theorem. My question is, if there is an ...
13
votes
2
answers
610
views
Is there a Gelfand-Naimark-like characterization of group algebras $L_1(G)$?
The Gelfand-Naimark theorem establishes that a complex commutative Banach algebra $A$ with an identity and an involution $x\to x^*$ satisfying $\|x x^*\|=\|x\|^2$ is (isometrically isomorphic to) a $C(...
13
votes
1
answer
724
views
Trace-class operator satisfies $\sum |\lambda_n|<\infty$?
Here's an "exercise" which I thought should be easy, but which I find myself unable to do.
Let $V$ be a Banach space.
Recall that an operator $f:V\to V$ is trace-class if it is in the image of the ...
13
votes
0
answers
395
views
Converse to Riesz-Thorin Theorem
Let $T$ be an operator on simple functions on (say) $\mathbb{R}$.
The Riesz-Thorin interpolation theorem, in one form, says that the Riesz type diagram of $T$ is a convex subset of $[0,1]\times[0,1]$....
13
votes
0
answers
324
views
Banach spaces with $d(X,Y) = 1$
We recall that the Banach-Mazur distance between two isomorphic Banach spaces is given by $d(X,Y) = \inf \{ \|T\| \|T^{-1}\| : T$ is an isomorphism from $X$ to $Y\}$.
It is a classical result that we ...
13
votes
0
answers
323
views
Kolmogorov width for cartesian products
For an operator $T:X\to Y$ between Banach spaces with unit balls $B_X$ and $B_Y$ the sequence of Kolmogorov widths is
$$
\delta_n(T)=\inf\lbrace \delta>0: T(B_X)\subseteq \delta B_Y +L \text{ for ...
12
votes
3
answers
16k
views
Dual space of $\ell^\infty$
Why can the elements of the dual space of $\ell^\infty(\mathbb N)$ be represented as sums of elements of $\ell^1(\mathbb N)$ and Null$(c_0)$?
<hr:
EDIT: As confirmed in the comments, the OP ...
12
votes
3
answers
564
views
Description of $\big(\ell^\infty(\mathbb N)\big)^{\!*}$ via ultrafilters
Let $\beta\mathbb N$ is the set of ultrafilters on $\mathbb N$ and $\mathscr F\in\beta\mathbb N$. Assume that $l_{\mathscr F}\in\big(\ell^\infty(\mathbb N)\big)^{\!*}$ is the functional which assigns ...
12
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Banach spaces $X$ with $\ell_2(X)$ not isomorphic to $L_2([0,1],X)$
Let $X$ be a Banach space. I think that some time ago I read somewhere that, in general, the space $\ell_2(X)$ of all sequences $(x_n)$ in $X$ with $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \|x_n\|^2<\infty$ is not ...
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Direct proof of injectivity of $L_\infty$
I would like to know a simple proof of isometric injectivity of $L_\infty$. The proof I've found in Topics in Banach space theory. F. Albiac, N. Kalton uses two deep result.
$L_\infty$ as ...
12
votes
2
answers
948
views
Banach space modulo a one-dimensional subspace =?
My question is the following:
Given an infinite dimensional Banach space $E$ and a one-dimensional linear subspace $F\subset E$. It is well-known that this one-dimensional linear subspace is closed ...
12
votes
2
answers
847
views
When is the closed unit ball in a smaller Banach space closed in a larger Banach space?
Recently I saw an interesting lemma:
For any $s>0$, the closed unit ball in $H^s$ is also closed in the $L^2$ norm. That is, suppose $u_j\in H^s$ and $\|u_j\|_{H^s}\le 1$. Suppose $u_j\to u$ in $L^...
12
votes
1
answer
306
views
Containment of $c_0$
I have the following question. I guess it's quite simple for experts.
Unfortunately, I could not come up with an answer yet.
Let $X$ be a Banach space which contains no copy of $c_0$.
Does it impply ...
12
votes
3
answers
646
views
Radii and centers in Banach spaces
Suppose I have a Banach space $V$ and a set $A \subseteq V$ such that for all $\epsilon > 0$ there exists $v$ such that $A \subseteq \overline{B}(v, r + \epsilon)$. Does there exist $c$ such that $...
12
votes
1
answer
467
views
Subtracting the weak limit reduces the norm in the limit
Question
Let $X$ be some reflexive Banach space. Suppose $x_n$ is some sequence in $X$ that weak converges to some $y \neq 0$. Is it the case that
$$ \limsup \|x_n - y\| < \limsup \|x_n\| ?$$
...
12
votes
2
answers
547
views
Balls in spaces of operators
I am interested in some geometrical aspects of spaces $L(E)$, of bounded operators on a given Banach space $E$. I am unable to estimate if my problem deserves to be asked at MO, but let me try.
Is ...
12
votes
1
answer
908
views
Equivalence of σ-convex hull and closed convex hull
Let $X$ be a locally convex topological space, and let $K \subset X$ be a compact set. Recalling that the standard convex hull is defined as
$$\text{co}(K) = \Big\{ \sum_{i=1}^n a_i x_i : a_i \geq 0,\,...
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Uniform boundedness of an $L^2[0,1]$-ONB in $C[0,1]$
Assume that we have an orthonormal basis of smooth functions in $L^2[0,1]$. Are there useful practical criteria to determine whether the sup-norm of the basis functions has a uniform bound? I am sure ...
12
votes
1
answer
575
views
Is $\ell_p$ $(1<p<\infty)$ finitely isometrically distortable?
Let $Y$ be a Banach space isomorphic to $\ell_p$, $1<p<\infty$. Is it true that any finite subset of $\ell_p$ is isometric to some finite subset of $Y$?
It seems to me that it is an interesting ...
12
votes
1
answer
191
views
Spectra on different spaces
This is a method request: I am looking for techniques that allow me to investigate problems like this:
Let $T_1: \ell^1 \rightarrow \ell^1$ be a bounded operator with $\Re(\sigma(T_1)) \subset (-\...
12
votes
0
answers
196
views
UMD constant of finite dimensional spaces
For a Banach space $B$, its one-sided Unconditional Martingale Difference (UMD) constant $C^-_p$ (for $p \in (1,\infty)$) is the smallest value such that for all $B$-valued martingale difference ...
12
votes
0
answers
435
views
Uniform closure of subspaces of Baire class 1
Describe a uniformly closed linear subspace $A \subset C([0,1])$ such that the space $B_1(A)$ is not uniformly complete. Here $B_1(A)$ is the set of all bounded functions $f$ which are pointwise ...
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is the strong operator topology metrizable?
Let $X$ be a separable Banach space. Is the strong operator topology metrizable on $B(X)$, the space of all bounded operators on $X$?
SOT-$\lim T_i=0~$ if and only if $~\lim \|T_ix\|=0$ for every $x\...
11
votes
5
answers
5k
views
A criterion for the sum of two closed sets to be closed ?
Let $V$ and $I$ be two closed subsets of a Banach space $A$.
The set $V$ is a convex cone, and $I$ is a linear subspace of $A$. I also know that $V\cap I=\{0\}$.
I would like to know whether $I+V$ ...
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Do non-stable Banach spaces exist?
Let $K$ be $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$. A Banach space $X$ over $K$ is stable if $X\cong X\times K$. I encountered the following question in some papers in the sixties:
Is every infinite ...
11
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Continuous automorphism groups of normed vector spaces?
Consider the metric space on, say, ℝ2 induced by the various $L^p$ norms, and the group of isometries from that space into itself that preserve the origin. When $p=2$ I get the continuous group ...
11
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Is the $L^1$-space dual to a Banach space
Let $(\Omega,\mu)$ be a measure space. It is well known that for $1<p\leq \infty$ one has the duality
$$L^p=(L^{p*})^*,$$
where $1/p+1/p^*=1$.
Question. Is it known that the Banach space $L^1$ is ...
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Example of noncomplete quotient of complete lcs mod closed subspace
The following statement is well-known: for a Fréchet space $V$ and a closed subspace $W \subseteq V$ the quotient $V / W$ is again complete and hence a Fréchet space. For the particular case of a ...
11
votes
1
answer
339
views
What is an example of two Banach spaces $X,Y$ such that $X$ embeds isometrically but not linearly into $Y$?
By a result of Godefroy and Kalton if $X,Y$ are separable Banach spaces and $X$ embeds isometrically into $Y$, then $X$ embeds with a linear isometry into $Y$.
Is this result known to fail for ...
11
votes
3
answers
445
views
Does the generator of a 1-parameter group of Banach space isometries know which elements are entire?
Let $X$ be a complex Banach space. Let $(\sigma_t)_{t \in \mathbb{R}}$ be a 1-parameter group of linear isometries of $X$ which is strongly continuous i.e. $t \mapsto \sigma_t(x)$ is continuous for ...
11
votes
2
answers
504
views
On dense embedding of Banach spaces
Disclaimer: When I came up with this question yesterday, I suspected it to be trivial (trivially true or trivially false). Then it kept me awake several hours tonight... (I still hope, though, this is ...
11
votes
1
answer
441
views
Example of Banach spaces with non-unique uniform structures
While it is known that compact Hausdorff spaces admit unique uniform structures, it is further shown by Johson and Lindenstrauss's result that Banach spaces are characterized by their uniform ...
11
votes
1
answer
964
views
Quotients of l^infty
Let $M$ be a closed subspace of $l^\infty$. Suppose that the quotient $l^{\infty}/M$ is isomorphic to $l^\infty$. Is it true that $M$ is complemented in $l^\infty$?
11
votes
1
answer
633
views
Inequivalent complete norms and the axiom of choice
Hi,
I've been wondering about the following :
Is it possible, without the axiom of choice, to have two inequivalent complete norms on a vector space?
All the examples of inequivalent complete norms ...
11
votes
1
answer
953
views
Separable bidual but nonseparable third dual
Does there exist a Banach space $X$ such that $X^{**}$ is separable but $X^{***}$ is non-separable?
More generally, for every natural $n$ can someone construct an example of Banach space $X$ such ...
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Structure of an intersection of $L^p$-spaces
In what follows, $L^p$ denotes the space of functions from $\mathbb{R}$ to $\mathbb{R}$ such that $\int_{\mathbb{R}} |f(x)|^p\mathrm{d}x < \infty$.
I am interested to understand the structure we ...
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Complexifying a real Banach space and its dual
A standard way to define the "complexification" $E_\mathbb{C}$ of a real Banach space $E$ is to define a complex linear structure on $E\times E$ by (1) $(x,y)+(u,v)=(x+u, y+v)$, (2) $(a+ib)(x,y)=(ax-...
11
votes
1
answer
644
views
Subspaces of $l_p$ and Banach-Mazur distance
This is a question I posted on SE, and I have been advised to post it here.
https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/146427/subspaces-of-l-p-and-banach-mazur-distance
It is well-known that every ...
11
votes
1
answer
654
views
Nonseparable Hilbert spaces as quotients of spaces of bounded functions
Is the following result true: the Hilbert space $\ell^{2}\left(2^{\Gamma}\right)$ is a quotient of $\ell^{\infty}\left(\Gamma\right)$ for any
uncountable $\Gamma$ ? [I think it is, but cannot remember ...
11
votes
1
answer
504
views
Do ultrapowers of classical Banach spaces have unconditional bases?
I am trying to imagine (to some extent, of course) the geometry of ultrapowers of certain 'easy-to-handle' Banach spaces. Let me start with $X = \ell_p$, $p\in (1,\infty)$ or $X=c_0$.
Since the ...