Questions tagged [calculus-of-variations]
Questions on the calculus of variations, which deals with the optimization of functionals mostly defined on infinite dimensional spaces.
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Prove that the inf of the quotient functional are the same for all $\lambda $
Let $q: \mathbb{R}^N \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be continuous, strictly positive and such that $\lim _{|x| \rightarrow \infty} q(x)=0$. For $\lambda \geq 0$ and $p \in\left(2,2^*\right)$, consider the ...
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A question to the proof of Lemma 9 in "Multiple solutions for the Brezis-Nirenberg problem"
I'm currently puzzled by the final portion of the proof for Lemma 9 in the paper "Multiple solutions for the Brezis-Nirenberg problem"(DOI:10.57262/ade/1355867873). In particular, I'm unsure ...
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Decay estimate of energy minimizer and the linear ODE
Suppose $a$ is constant, $b(x)=C_b(1-x)$ and $c(x)=C_c(1+x^2)$ for some positive constants, we consider the minimizer of the energy
$$E(u)=\int_{\mathbb{R}}\left[a^2(u'(x))^2/2+c(x)\left(\dfrac{1}{c(x)...
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Prove that $C=\inf \left\{\|u\|^2\middle|u \in D^{1,2}\left(\mathbb{R}^N\right), \int_{\Omega}\left| u\right|^{2^*}=1\right\}$ is positive
We have Hardy inequality $$\int_{\mathbb{R}^N} \frac{u^2}{|x|^2} \, d x \leq C \int_{\mathbb{R}^N}|\nabla u|^2 \, d x \quad \forall u \in D^{1,2}\left(\mathbb{R}^N\right).$$
now we can use the Hardy ...
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Can an ellipse roll down a tilted sine curve without jumping?
Background
Assume that we have a solid ellipse with uniform density, and that it rolls along a curve.
In the following MO question, I asked along what curve an ellipse rolls down fastest. It was ...
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Formulation of multipoint constraints using Lagrange multipliers for a time dependent problem (with the Finite Element Method)
Intro
Suppose we have the following static linear equations (e.g. of an elastostatic problem):
$$\mathbf{K}\boldsymbol{u}=\boldsymbol{f}$$
We want a multipoint constraint of the type
$$\boldsymbol{\...
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1
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Minimizing expressions involving function subject to integral constraint [closed]
Fix a positive constant $q=O(1)$ (say $1.5$). I am trying to find a function $\ell(x):[0, 1] \to \mathbb{R}_{\geq 0}$ that satisfies $\int_0^1 \ell(x) dx \leq q$ and minimizes the expression
$$\int_0^...
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2
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Weak convergence + convergence of the norm implies strong convergence in Orlicz spaces
It is known [1, proposition 3.32] and a classical trick in PDEs that, in any uniformly convex Banach space $X$, weak convergence $x_n\rightharpoonup x$ together with convergence of the norm $\|x_n\|_X\...
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Express the inf of a functional via Rayleigh quotient
Let $\Omega$ be an open and bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^N$, with $N \geq 3$. Take $p \in\left(2,2^*=\frac{2 N}{N-2}\right]$ and define
$$
S_p=\inf _{\substack{u \in H_0^1(\Omega) \\ u \neq 0}} \frac{...
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A problem about how to understand the existence of derivative of level set in Mountain-pass theorem
I'm confused about the Mountain pass theorem in Lemma4 of here.
Background :
$$
\begin{gathered}
I_\lambda(u)=\frac{1}{2} \int_M\left|\Delta_g^{\frac{m}{2}} u\right|^2 d \mu_g-\frac{\lambda}{2 m} \log ...
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How can we calculate the Euler-lagrange equations?
In this paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/1907.09605.pdf \
let $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ with $n \geq 1$ be a bounded Lipschitz domain with boundary $\partial \Omega$, $f: \Omega \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ ...
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Surface terms in the calculus of variations on jet bundles
Let $\pi:N\rightarrow M$ be a fibered manifold with $m=\dim M$ and $m+n=\dim N$. The variational bicomplex on the infinite jet space $J^\infty(\pi)$ is denoted $(\Omega^{k,l}(\pi),\delta,\mathbf d)$ ...
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Minimal norm problem with linear combination of translation operator to be estimated
Follow up question from this one
Suppose $X = L^2(G)$, where $G$ is some locally compact group. Let $x, y \in G$ I for fixed $n$ I am seeking for an operator $H \in B(X)$ of the form
$$
H = H(\alpha_1,...
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A question about considering the solution of elliptic PDE with complex Laplacian as the critical point of a functional
I'm considering the elliptic PDE with complex Laplacian, for example, write $$
\Delta_c(\cdot):=-g^{i \bar{j}} \partial_i \partial_{\bar{j}}(\cdot),
$$
and $$\Delta_c(u)=f,$$
by [P.Gauduchon, Math.Ann,...
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1
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Lower semicontinuous and convex envelope
L.Ambrosio, in paper [1] writes:
Let $g:\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ be a function (...)
for every $s\in\mathbb{R}$, $z\in\mathbb{R}^n$; we denote, with a slight abuse of ...
CommunityBot
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1
answer
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Integral identity for critical points of the Ginzburg-Landau functional
I am reading a paper of Comte and Mironescu [CM96], where they discuss critical points $v = v_{\epsilon}: G \to \mathbf{C}$ of the (non-magnetic) Ginzburg–Landau functional
$E_\epsilon(v) = \frac{1}{2}...
CommunityBot
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About the naturality of Krasnoselskii genus on Variational Methods
I have recently watched a seminar about Variational Methods from Mónica Clapp and she gave a very interesting motivation of why the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category (click on the link for the ...
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How is the Euler-Lagrange equation derived without local coordinates?
The Euler-Lagrange equation states that the time flow is given by a vector field such that the vector field contracted with the symplectic form gives dL, where L is the Lagrangian function on the ...
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Central limit theorem via maximal entropy
Let $\rho(x)$ be a probability density function on $\mathbb{R}$ with prescribed variance $\sigma^2$, so that:
$$\int_\mathbb{R} \rho(x)\, dx = 1$$
and
$$\int_\mathbb{R} x^2 \rho(x), dx = \sigma^2$$
...
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2
answers
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Variation of the Einstein Hilbert action in a coordinate-free way
I am currently writing an expository paper on gauge theory and gravity and throughout the gauge theory part I have been able to mostly stay away from coordinates unless I wished to
provide specific ...
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0
answers
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Optimal orbital tranfers: reference for statements & proofs
I know that Pontryagin's contribution to optimal control in the 1950'ies was allegedly inspired by the then-nascent rocket industry and the question of how to get a rocket into orbit with minimum fuel....
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3
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How to get to the earliest time zone?
You are in a plane at some point on Earth. You want to be at the earliest time zone possible at the end of your flight. What is the optimal path to take?
Formally, fix spherical coordinates $(\theta, \...
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1
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Equi-coercivity of functionals on a metric space
Definition: A family of functionals $\{F_n: X\to\bar{\mathbb R}\}$ on a metric space $X$ is said to be equi-coercive if, for every $\alpha \in \mathbb{R}$, there is a compact set $K_\alpha$ of $X$ ...
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How to interpret the vector fields $F_p(x,u,Du)$ in a Lagrangian optimization problem
Let $\Omega$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^1$ boundary. Let
$$
\begin{matrix}
F: \mathbb{R}^n \times \mathbb{R}^N \times \mathbb{R}^{nN} \to \mathbb{R},& \\
(x,z,p) \mapsto F(...
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How to solve an optimization problem whose optimization variable is a function?
I would like to find an optimal probability density function (PDF) $f$. Given $b$,
$$ \begin{array}{ll} \underset {f} {\text{minimize}} & C \\ \text{subject to} & 1 + \frac{b}{x} \displaystyle\...
CommunityBot
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1
answer
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Tangent cones at zero and infinity to minimal surfaces
Let $n \geq 2$, and let $M^n \subset \mathbf{R}^{n+1}$ be a minimal surface with $0 \in M$ and finite ($n$-dimensional) area growth:
$\operatorname{limsup}_{R \to \infty} R^{-n} \lVert M \cap B_R \...
CommunityBot
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answers
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Question about the ''crater'' in mountain-pass theorem while reading a paper of solving mean-field equation by mountain-pass theorem
Actually, I'm reading a paper which finds the saddle point of a functional, of course the unbounded below energy functional will suggest a potential saddle, but the structure of mountain pass is the ...
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answers
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Functional of fully nonlinear equations
Let $\left(\mathcal{M}, g_0\right)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension $n>2$ and denote by 'Ric' and $R$ respectively the Ricci tensor and the scalar curvature. The $k$-Yamabe problem is ...
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A problem about how dominated convergence is used in the analysis of variation
I'm reading Existence of solutions to a higher dimensional mean-field equation on manifolds and get stuck on Lemma6. When $\lambda>\Lambda_1$, with $\Lambda_1=(2 m-1) ! \operatorname{vol}\left(S^{2 ...
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1
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Sufficient and necessary conditions for decomposing the sum of random variables
Given two $n$-tuple vectors $\vec{\alpha}=(\alpha_1,\cdots,\alpha_n)$ and
$\vec{h}=(h_1,\cdots,h_n)$, where $h_i\ge0$, $\sum_{i=1}^nh_i=1$, and $\alpha_i\in(0,1)$, we consider a random variable $S$ on ...
CommunityBot
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0
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On Talenti's proof of optimal constant in Sobolev inequality
I'm reading the paper by Giorgio Talenti on the best constant for the Sobolev inequality.
The main theorem states that for $u:\mathbb{R}^m\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ sufficiently smooth (eg. Lipschitz) ...
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Beginners text on calculus of variations
I want to begin learning Calculus of Variations. What texts would MathOverflow recommend? Amazon shows up quite a few options.
I work on Machine Learning, and that where I intend to apply this.
...
CommunityBot
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1
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Is there an infinite dimensional Stein's lemma?
Classical Stein's lemma says that if $\mathbf{X}$ is a centered Gaussian random vector and $g$ is a function which is nice enough, we have
$$
\mathbb{E} \, X_i \, g ( \mathbf{X} )
= \sum_k \...
CommunityBot
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0
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Periodic orbits in planar smooth billiard table with large periods
Given a plane billiard table with a smooth boundary which is a Jordan curve, I wonder if there is always a periodic orbit with sufficiently large period.
Formulation of my question: We are considering ...
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What variational problem does the parabolic suspension bridge solve?
(Posted to MSE here, no answers)
The catenary curve $y(x)$ minimizes the gravitational potential energy
$$\int \rho g y\,ds=\int \rho g y \sqrt{1+y'^2}dx,$$
subject to a fixed length, $L=\int \sqrt{1+...
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Is every area-minimizing cone a level set of a least-gradient function?
Let $\mathbf{C}^n \subset \mathbf{R}^{n+1}$ be a minimizing cone with an isolated singularity. One example, in a space of even dimension, i.e. if $\mathbf{R}^{n+1} = \mathbf{R}^{2m}$, is the Simons ...
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A Poincaré-like inequality
Is it true that for some real $K>0$ and all real $u\in C_0^\infty((0,1))$ we have
$$\int_0^1 (u'(x)^2+u(x)^2)\,dx\,\int_0^1 u(x)^2\,dx
\le K\Big(\int_0^1 x\,u'(x)^2\,dx\Big)^2\text{ ?}$$
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Almgren's mimeographed lectures notes on varifolds
I am trying to get some insights for the combinatorial argument of Pitts (in his PhD thesis 'Existence and regularity of minimal surfaces in Riemannian manifolds', Princeton University Press, 1981) to ...
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What functions are equal to their symmetric decreasing rearrangement?
I am trying to understand the set
$$\mathcal{A}=\{f:f\text{ non-negative, measurable}, \text{vanishes at infinity and } f(x)=f^*(x)\}$$
where $f:\mathbb{R}^n\to \mathbb{R}$ is vanishing at infinity if ...
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Geometric derivation of the Einstein’s field equation from the Hilbert action
It is well-known that the equation for stationary solutions of the Einstein-Hilbert functional is given by the Einstein field equation (for a statement, see previous question). The standard derivation ...
- 1,446
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1
answer
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Integral inner product with exponential function
Suppose on some unknown interval $[0, I]$ we have non-negative functions $f, g : [0, I] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{\geq 0}$.
If we know that
\begin{aligned}
\int_0^I f & = c \\
\int_0^I e^f & = e^...
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1
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1
answer
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Derivatives of infimum in variational problem
Define
$$
F(\lambda,x):=g(x)+\lambda\int\limits_{\partial_e Y} f(y) \, d\mu_x(y)
$$
where
$Y$ is a convex space and $w^*$-compact, moreover $Y$ forms a Bauer simplex (in particular $Y$ corresponds to ...
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0
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Definition of stable solution of elliptic PDE and the classification of the solution (as the critical points of energy functional)
My questions arise from Here, it seems that I didn't give a clear question, so I rephrase my questions here.
For example, for $$
-\Delta u=f(u) \quad \text { in } \Omega,
$$
we call a solution is ...
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votes
0
answers
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A naive question about the stable solution and Morse index of elliptic PDE
For example, for $$
-\Delta u=f(u) \quad \text { in } \Omega,
$$
we call a solution is stable if
$$
Q_u(\varphi):=\int_{\Omega}|\nabla \varphi|^2 d x-\int_{\Omega} f^{\prime}(u) \varphi^2 d x \geq 0, \...
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votes
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Convex curves with many inscribed triangles maximizing perimeter
A classical nice result of Euclidean geometry states that the triangles maximizing the perimeter among all inscribed triangles of a given ellipse constitue a one-parameter family. Precisely, for each ...
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908
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Wasserstein distance and Monge-Kantorovich-Rubinstein duality
The definition of Wasserstein $p$-distance between two measures $\mu$ and $\nu$ on a Polish space $X$ is given by
$$
W_p(\mu, \nu)^p = \inf_{\gamma \in \Pi(\mu, \nu)} \int_{X \times X} d(x, y)^p\; d\...
2
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0
answers
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relative entropy, Fisher information, and metric slope for non-convex domains
$\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb R}$ If $\Omega\subset \R^d$ is a convex domain it is well-known that the relative entropy
$$
\mathcal H(\rho)=
\int_{\Omega}\rho\log\rho \ \mathrm{d}x
\qquad \mbox{for }\rho=...
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votes
0
answers
118
views
Is Stokes equation a saddle point problem or a minimum problem?
Consider $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^2 $ (or $\mathbb{R}^3$). The well known stationary Stokes equations in the incompressible case are
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
- \Delta u + \nabla p = f \text{ ...
- 11.9k
2
votes
1
answer
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Generalize the conception of 'stable' solution and 'stable outside a compact set' solution of elliptic PDE from $\mathbb{R}^n$ to closed manifold
I want to talk about generalizing the conception of 'stable' solution and 'stable outside the compact set' solution of elliptic PDE from $\mathbb{R}^n$ to closed manifold.
I'm reading $\Delta u +e^u=0$...
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2
answers
665
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What happens if we consider functions of bounded variation that are not in $L^1$?
A function $f \in L^1(\mathbb R^n)$ is said to be of bounded variation if there exists a constant $C \geq 0$ such that
$$
\int_{\mathbb R^n} f(x) \operatorname{div} \phi(x) \; dx
\leq
C \sup_{ x \in \...
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