All Questions
12,935 questions
25
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The origin of Discrete `Liouville's theorem'
It is known that discrete Liouville's theorem for harmonic functions on $\mathbb{Z}^2$ was proved by Heilbronn (On discrete harmonic functions. - Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. , 1949, 45, 194-206).
If ...
- 12.3k
25
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Relationship between Green's function and geodesic distance?
I am interested in showing that a certain Green's function can be used to approximate the distance function on a Riemannian manifold in the following sense. Let $(M,g)$ be a Riemannian manifold and ...
- 3,059
25
votes
0
answers
752
views
What is a Green's function in the language of $\mathcal{D}$-modules?
Let $P$ be an analytic linear differential operator defined on some open interval $X=(a,b)$ and $\mathcal{M}=\mathcal{D}_X / \mathcal{D}_X \bullet P$ the corresponding $\mathcal{D}$-module. I'm trying ...
- 7,789
24
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why the sequence of Bernstein polynomials of $\sqrt x$ is increasing?
Bernstein polynomials preserves nicely several global properties of the function to be approximated: if e.g. $f:[0,1]\to\mathbb R$ is non-negative, or monotone, or convex; or if it has, say, non-...
- 60.5k
24
votes
2
answers
2k
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Is the Invariant Subspace Problem arithmetic?
Invariant Subspace Conjecture: A bounded operator on a separable Hilbert space has a non-trivial closed invariant subspace.
Can this conjecture be reformulated as an arithmetic statement, that is, $\...
- 6,891
24
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Self-dual normed spaces which are not Hilbert spaces
Are there any examples of non-Hilbert normed spaces which are isomorphic (in the norm sense) to their dual spaces? Or, is there any result in Functional Analysis which says that if a space is self-...
- 2,239
24
votes
3
answers
3k
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Does elliptic regularity guarantee analytic solutions?
Let $D$ be an elliptic operator on $\mathbb{R}^n$ with real analytic coefficients. Must its solutions also be real analytic? If not, are there any helpful supplementary assumptions? Standard ...
- 29.2k
24
votes
2
answers
2k
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Unique predual of a Banach space
Suppose $E$ is a dual Banach space whose predual is unique, and $E_0$ is a codimension 1 weak* closed subspace of $E$. Is the predual of $E_0$ necessarily unique?
Okay, I will reveal the motivation. ...
- 42.8k
24
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can Hölder's Inequality be strengthened for smooth functions?
Is there an $\epsilon>0$ so that for every nonnegative integrable function $f$ on the reals,
$$\frac{\| f \ast f \|_\infty \| f \ast f \|_1}{\|f \ast f \|_2^2} > 1+\epsilon?$$
Of course, we ...
- 9,756
24
votes
3
answers
2k
views
The third axiom in the definition of (infinite-dimensional) vector bundles: why?
Serge Lang's Differential and Riemannian Manifolds is a no doubt the best available reference for the theory of not-necessarily-finite-dimensional differential manifolds, but unfortunately it suffers ...
- 243
24
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How many ways are there to globalize Harish Chandra modules?
Suppose $G$ a reductive Lie group with finitely many connected components, and suppose in addition that the connected component $G^0$ of the identity can be expressed as a finite cover of a linear Lie ...
- 4,909
24
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is there a 'certainty' principle?
Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is a restriction on which probability distributions can describe the position and momentum of a quantum particle.
In mathematical terms it says that if $\psi\in L^2$ ...
- 3,137
23
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Why do we have two theorems when one implies the other?
Why do we have two theorems one for the density of $C^{\infty}_c(\mathbb{R}^n)$ in $L^p(\mathbb{R}^n)$ and one for the density of $C^{\infty}_c(\Omega)$ in $L^p(\Omega)$? with $\Omega$ an open subset ...
23
votes
8
answers
8k
views
Grothendieck on topological vector spaces
In a short biography article on Alexander Grothendieck, it is mentioned that after Grothendieck submitted his first thesis on topological vector spaces (TVS), apparently, he told Bernard Malgrange ...
23
votes
9
answers
2k
views
Nonseparable counterexamples in analysis
When asking for uncountable counterexamples in algebra I noted that in functional analysis there are many examples of things that “go wrong” in the nonseparable setting. But most of the examples I'm ...
23
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Understanding/Mastering Analysis in Topology, necessary?
I have spoken to one professor so far about this, which of course was helpful, and so I am looking for additional opinions: To work with topological tools that were built via analysis, should I be a "...
- 17.5k
23
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Most general definition of differentiation
There are various differentiations/derivatives.
For example,
Exterior derivative $df$ of a smooth function $f:M\to \mathbb{R}$
Differentiation $Tf:TM\to TN$ of a smooth function between manifolds $f:...
- 361
23
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Hahn-Banach without Choice
The standard proof of the Hahn-Banach theorem makes use of Zorn's lemma. I hear that, however, Hahn-Banach is strictly weaker than Choice. A quick search leads to many sources stating that Hahn-Banach ...
- 1,202
23
votes
2
answers
3k
views
States in C*-algebras and their origin in physics?
in $C^*-$algebras with unit element, there is the definition of a state, as a functional $\omega$ with $\omega(e)=||\omega||=1.$
Now, of course there is also in classical physics and quantum ...
- 243
23
votes
5
answers
2k
views
PDEs and algebraic varieties
Let $P$ be an order $d$ differential operator with constant coefficients and consider a PDE of the form $Pf = \delta$. Taking the Fourier transform of $P$ we get a degree $d$ polynomial whose zero ...
- 8,998
23
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Are almost commuting hermitian matrices close to commuting matrices (in the 2-norm)?
I consider on $M_n(\mathbb C)$ the normalized $2$-norm, i.e. the norm given by $\|A\|_2 = \sqrt{\mathrm{Tr}(A^* A)/n}$.
My question is whether a $k$-uple of hermitian matrices that are almost ...
- 9,486
23
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Density of smooth functions under "Hölder metric"
This question came up when I was doing some reading into convolution squares of singular measures. Recall a function $f$ on the torus $T = [-1/2,1/2]$ is said to be $\alpha$-Hölder (for $0 < \alpha ...
- 505
23
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Convergence of finite element method: counterexamples
There are many known results proving convergence of finite element method for elliptic problems under certain assumptions on underlying mesh [e.g., Braess,2007]. Which of these common assumptions are ...
- 1,488
23
votes
4
answers
3k
views
What is an "integrable hierarchy"? (to a mathematician)
This is one of those "what is an $X$?" questions so let me apologize in advance.
By now I have already encountered the phrase "integrable hierarchy" in mathematical contexts (in particular the so ...
- 7,789
23
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Are proper linear subspaces of Banach spaces always meager?
Let X be a Banach space, and let Y be a proper non-meager linear subspace of X. If Y is not dense in X, then it is easy to see that the closure of Y has empty interior, contradicting Y being non-...
- 353
23
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Which $\ast$-algebras are $C^\ast$-algebras?
It's well-known that the norm on a $C^\ast$-algebra is uniquely determined by the underlying $\ast$-algebra by the spectral radius formula. Therefore there should be a way to axiomatize $C^\ast$-...
- 63.9k
23
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What is a Gaussian measure?
Let $X$ be a topological affine space. A Gaussian measure on $X$ is characterized by the property that its finite-dimensional projections are multivariate Gaussian distributions.
Is there a direct ...
- 8,512
23
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Which Fréchet spaces have a dual that is a Fréchet space?
I've read the claim that Fréchet spaces that are not Banach spaces never have a dual that is a Fréchet space, but have not been able to find a proof of this statement. Is it trivial or does someone ...
- 1,544
23
votes
2
answers
2k
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Structures of the space of neural networks
A neural network can be considered as a function
$$\mathbf{R}^m\to\mathbf{R}^n\quad
\text{by}\quad x\mapsto w_N\sigma(h_{N-1}+w_{N-1}\sigma(\dotso h_2+w_2\sigma(h_1+w_1 x)\dotso)),$$
where the $w_i$ ...
- 333
23
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Which smooth compactly supported functions are convolutions?
If $f,g$ are smooth functions with support in the interval $[-r,r]$ for some $r>0$, then their convolution $f*g$ is smooth with support in $[-2r,2r]$. My question is about the converse: Given ...
- 1,017
23
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How do mathematicians and physicists think of SL(2,R) acting on Gaussian functions?
Let $\mathcal{N}(\mu,\sigma^2)$ denote the Gaussian distribution on $\mathbb{R}$:
$$ \mathcal{N}(\mu,\sigma^2)(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\sigma^2}} e^{-\frac{(x-\mu)^2}{2\sigma^2}}.$$
A Gaussian ...
- 1,101
23
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Eigenvalues of Laplace operator
Assume that $(M,g)$ is a Riemannian manifold.
Is there any relation between the sequence of eigenvalues of Laplace operator acting on the space of smooth functions and the sequence of eigenvalues of ...
- 356
23
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Laplace Transform in the context of Gelfand/Pontryagin
Questions:
Is there a class of objects (presumably related to locally compact abelian groups) for which the quasi-characters canonically generalize the Laplace transform?
If not, is there a ...
- 1,124
22
votes
13
answers
7k
views
Is there a "crash-course" book on Abelian varieties (e.g., an introduction for physicists)?
Hello,
In our (rather applied) theoretical physics research, we have encountered an important class of problems, which seem to require an understanding of Abelian functions (unfortunately, this ...
- 649
22
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Is $L^p(\mathbb{R})$ minus the zero function contractible?
Is $L^p(\mathbb{R}) \setminus 0$ contractible? My intuition says that the answer is yes, but I'm afraid that this is based on thinking of this as somehow similar to a limit of $\mathbb{R}^n \setminus ...
- 433
22
votes
4
answers
3k
views
When to use more exciting function spaces than ordinary Sobolev spaces?
In which kinds of PDEs are the more interesting function spaces required? I am thinking of spaces such as Besov and Triebel spaces, and their weighted versions.
For example, Sobolev spaces $L^2(0,T;H^...
- 405
22
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Unexpected applications of Dvoretzky's theorem
Dvoretzky's theorem is a classic of convex geometry. Recently at a conference in quantum information I learned (from Patrick Hayden's talk) about a nontrivial application of the theorem to a problem ...
- 2,449
22
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Subspace of $L^2$ that lies in $L^\infty$
Let $E$ be a closed subspace of $L^2[0,1]$. Suppose that $E\subset{}L^\infty[0,1]$. Is it true that $E$ is finite dimensional?
PS. This is actually a question from the real analysis qualifier. I came ...
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
22
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Can an integral equation always be rewritten as a differential equation?
Given an integral equation is there always a differential equation which has the same (say smooth) solutions?
It seems like not but can one prove this in some example?
Edit: Naively I'm hoping for ...
- 5,343
22
votes
5
answers
16k
views
Physical interpretation of Robin boundary conditions
In a (bounded) domain $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n$, if we're studying the Laplace equation or heat equation or such PDE's we can impose the Dirichlet
$u|_{\partial\Omega} \equiv 0$,
Neumann
$D_{\nu} ...
- 7,197
22
votes
3
answers
2k
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History of fundamental solutions
I have a few questions on the history of PDE.
Who first wrote down the formula for the solution of the Cauchy problem for the heat equation involving the heat kernel? I have seen it called Poisson's ...
- 3,322
22
votes
2
answers
8k
views
What's the idea behind Carleman estimates?
A standard Carleman-type estimate is of the form
$$
\sum_{|\alpha|<m}{\tau^{2(m-|\alpha|-1)}\int{|D^{\alpha}u|^{2}e^{2\tau\phi}}dx}\leq K\int{|Pu|^{2}e^{2\tau\phi}dx},\quad u\in C_{0}^{\infty},
$$
...
- 1,644
22
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Image of the trace operator
It is well-known that we have the trace theorem for Sobolev spaces. Let $\Omega$ be an open domain with smooth boundary, we know that the map
$$ T: C^1(\bar\Omega) \to C^1(\partial\Omega) \subset L^...
- 39k
22
votes
1
answer
3k
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Reference for Diagonalization Trick
There is a standard trick in analysis, where one chooses a subsequence, then a subsequence of that... and wants to get an eventual subsubsequence of all of them and you take the diagonal. I've always ...
- 827
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
1
answer
745
views
The Mackey Topology on a Von Neumann Algebra
Every von Neumann algebra $\mathcal M$ is the dual of a unique Banach space $\mathcal M_* $. The Mackey topology on $\mathcal M$ is the topology of uniform convergence on weakly compact subsets of $\...
- 1,199
22
votes
2
answers
2k
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Examples of loss of regularity by "creation of topology"
I would like to have a list as general as possible of examples of situations where the density of smooth objects into some "natural class" (the meaning of "natural" depending on the problem considered)...
- 2,041
22
votes
0
answers
869
views
Can two drums almost sound the same?
Let $D\subset \mathbb R^2$ be a region and let $\Lambda=\{\lambda_1,\lambda_2,\dots\}$ be the set of eigenvalues of the Laplacian $-\Delta$ (with boundary condition $\psi=0$ on $\partial D$).
Mark Kac,...
- 3,054
22
votes
0
answers
2k
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Characterising critical points of $E(f)=\int_{M}| \bigwedge^2 df|^2 \text{Vol}_{M}$
$\newcommand{\id}{\operatorname{Id}}$
$\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}}$
$\newcommand{\TM}{\operatorname{TM}}$
$\newcommand{\Hom}{\operatorname{Hom}}$
$\newcommand{\Cof}{\operatorname{Cof}}$
$\newcommand{\...
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