All Questions
1,331 questions
104
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Is $ \sum\limits_{n=0}^\infty x^n / \sqrt{n!} $ positive?
Is $$ \sum_{n=0}^\infty {x^n \over \sqrt{n!}} > 0 $$ for all real $x$?
(I think it is.) If so, how would one prove this? (To confirm: This is the power
series for $e^x$, except with the ...
- 1,143
97
votes
17
answers
17k
views
What's a nice argument that shows the volume of the unit ball in $\mathbb R^n$ approaches 0?
Before you close for "homework problem", please note the tags.
Last week, I gave my calculus 1 class the assignment to calculate the $n$-volume of the $n$-ball. They had finished up talking about ...
61
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Every real function has a dense set on which its restriction is continuous
The title says it all: if $f\colon \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ is any real function, there exists a dense subset $D$ of $\mathbb{R}$ such that $f|_D$ is continuous.
Or so I'm told, but this leaves me ...
- 32.5k
54
votes
3
answers
6k
views
On which regions can Green's theorem not be applied?
In elementary calculus texts, Green's theorem is proved for regions enclosed by piecewise smooth, simple closed curves (and by extension, finite unions of such regions), including regions that are not ...
- 629
53
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Pullback measures
Why do all measure theory textbooks present the concept of push-forward measure, but never the concept of pull-back measure? Doesn't the latter exist?
It's true that the naive treatment of such a ...
- 5,407
44
votes
10
answers
47k
views
Is square of Delta function defined somewhere?
I am wondering whether anyone knows if the square of Dirac Delta function is defined somewhere.
In the beginning, this question might look strange. But by restricting the space of the test functions, ...
43
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Alternating sum of square roots of binomial coefficients
Let
$$ c_n = \sum_{r=0}^n (-1)^r \sqrt{\binom{n}{r}}. $$
It is clear that $c_n = 0$ if $n$ is odd. Remarkably, it appears that despite the huge positive and negative contributions in the sum ...
- 11.2k
38
votes
26
answers
57k
views
Text for an introductory Real Analysis course.
Any suggestions on a good text to use for teaching an introductory Real Analysis course? Specifically what have you found to be useful about the approach taken in specific texts?
33
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Reference request for translating from Top to C*-alg
Some recent questions on MO (for example, Do subalgebras of C(X) admit a description in terms of the compact Hausdorff space X?) have been about Gelfand duality — namely, that the categories of ...
- 18.7k
30
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Rearrangements that never change the value of a sum
I posted this question on math.stackexchange.com and so far the only answer posted (also mentioned in the comments under the question) shows that one of my rash initial guesses about the bottom-line ...
29
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is there a closed form for $\int_0^\infty\frac{\tanh^3(x)}{x^2}dx$?
For $n\geqslant m>1$, the integral $$I_{n,m}:=\int\limits_0^\infty\dfrac{\tanh^n(x)}{x^m}dx$$ converges. If $m$ and $n$ are both even or both odd, we can use the residue theorem to easily evaluate ...
- 13.4k
29
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a real quartic polynomial in two variables have more than 4 isolated local minima?
This question: "Can a real quartic polynomial in two variables have at most 4 isolated local minima?" came up in this post on Math SE but with no answer so far.
Finding examples of 4 ...
- 431
28
votes
4
answers
3k
views
"Converse" of Taylor's theorem
Let $f:(a,b)\to\mathbb{R}$. We are given $(k+1)$ continuous functions $a_0,a_1,\ldots,a_k:(a,b)\to\mathbb{R}$ such that for every $c\in(a,b)$ we can write $f(c+t)=\sum_{i=0}^k a_i(c)t^i+o(t^k)$ (for ...
- 3,146
27
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Compact embeddings of Sobolev spaces: a counterexample showing the Rellich-Kondrachov theorem is sharp
Let $U$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^{1}$ boundary. Let $1 \leq p < n$ and $p^{\ast} = pn/(n-p)$. Then the Sobolev space $W^{1,p}(U)$ is contained $L^{p^{\ast}}(U)$ and ...
- 309
27
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Criteria for boundedness of power series
Consider a power series $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} a_n x^n$ that is convergent for all real
x, thus defining a function $f: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$.
Can one give necessary and sufficient criteria the ...
- 4,014
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
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
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
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
20
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Ideals of the ring of smooth functions
The ring $C^\infty(M)$ of smooth functions on a smooth manifold $M$ is a topological ring with respect to the Whitney topology and the usual ring operations. Is it possible to describe, maybe under ...
- 101
20
votes
6
answers
7k
views
Does the derivative of log have a Dirac delta term?
Dirac writes down the following formula on page 61 of his "Principles of quantum mechanics":
$\frac{d}{dx}\log x = \frac{1}{x} -i\pi\delta(x)$, see http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1947pqm..book.....D ...
- 16.6k
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can we take a supremum over all Hilbert spaces?
In my paper On the optimal error bound for the first step in the method of cyclic alternating projections, I defined functions $f_n:[0,1]\to\mathbb{R}$,
$n\geqslant 2$, by
$$
f_n(c)=\sup\{\|P_n\dotsm ...
- 935
18
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Does Peano's theorem apply to spaces with infinite dimension?
Does Peano's theorem apply to spaces with infinite dimension? Or is there a counterexample?
Here, Peano's theorem is:
Let $E$ be a space with finite dimension. Consider a point $(t_0,x_0) \in \Re \...
- 279
17
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Can always a family of symmetric real matrices depending smoothly on a real parameter be diagonalized by smooth similarity transformations?
This question is related to another question, but it is definitely not the same.
Is it always possible to diagonalize (at least locally around each point) a family of symmetric real matrices $A(t)$ ...
- 4,312
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What (classes of) Banach spaces are known to have Schauder basis?
Motivation:
I am trying to see for what class of Banach spaces the following result is true:
There exists an increasing sequence of finite dimensional subspace {$V_n$} of a Banach space X (with ...
- 365
16
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Measure theory treatment geared toward the Riesz representation theorem
I'm looking for recommendations for books (or lecture notes) that develop measure theory in sufficient detail to state and prove the Riesz representation theorem (which is the characterization of the ...
- 21.5k
16
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Is there a maximum to the amount of disjoint non-measurable subsets of the unit interval with full outer measure?
This question arose a few years back when I was an assistant teacher on a course of basic (Lebesgue) measure theory, but I didn't find an answer or anyone able to solve the problem. The setting of the ...
- 588
16
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Are there any techniques for solving a differential equation of the form $f ' (x) = f( f( x ) )$?
I am trying to solve the following differential equation
$$f ' (x) = f( f( x ) ),$$
but I have no idea how. I don't think the chain rule is useful for this.
Although I don't think this differential ...
- 263
15
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Universal $C^*$-algebra with generators and relations
We say that the $C^*$-algebra $A$ generated by $a_1,...,a_n$ is universal subject to relations $R_1,...,R_m$ if for every $C^*$-algebra $B$ with elements $b_1,...,b_n$ satisfying relations $R_1,...,...
- 9,330
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Infinite tensor product of states
Tensor products of finite number of different objects are always well described in the literature. However, the situation of infinite tensor products seems to be much tougher.
Even in the simplest ...
- 143
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Calkin Algebra and the embedding
Let $H$ be a separable, infinite dimensional Hilbert Space and $Calk(H):=B(H)/K(H)$ denotes
the Calkin algebra. There is obvious surjection $\pi: B(H) \to Calk(H)$ but I'm interested
in somehow ...
- 9,330
13
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Reference request: Oldest calculus, real analysis books with exercises?
Per the title, what are some of the oldest calculus, real analysis books out there with exercises? Maybe there are some hidden gems from before the 20th century out there.
Edit. Unsolved exercises ...
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Direct proof of injectivity of $L_\infty$
I would like to know a simple proof of isometric injectivity of $L_\infty$. The proof I've found in Topics in Banach space theory. F. Albiac, N. Kalton uses two deep result.
$L_\infty$ as ...
- 1,697
12
votes
0
answers
828
views
Multiple Integral (American Mathematical Monthly problem 11621 and its generalization)
AMM problem 11621 asks to calculate the integral
$$I_2=\int\limits_{-\infty}^{\infty}ds_1\int\limits_{-\infty}^{s_1}ds_2
\int\limits_{-\infty}^{s_2}ds_3\int\limits_{-\infty}^{s_3}ds_4
\;\cos{(s_1^2-...
- 16.5k
11
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Norm continuous infinite dimenisonal representation of a Lie group
Given a Lie group G and an infinite dimensional Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. In the literature I have only encountered the two following notions of a representation $\pi$ of G on $\mathcal{H}$ :
1) $\...
- 403
10
votes
1
answer
833
views
This is not a dyadic cosine-product
The double-angle formula, $\sin2x=2\sin x\cos x$, turns the scary-looking integral
$$\int_0^{\infty}dz\prod_{k=1}^{\infty}\cos\frac{z}{2^k}$$
into fun once you realize $\prod_k\cos\frac{z}{2^k}=\frac{\...
- 43.2k
10
votes
3
answers
739
views
Is there a version of Fischer-Riesz theorem for Banach space?
$( \Omega,F, P )$: a measurable space equipped with a finite measure
$(B , \Vert \cdot \Vert) $ : a Banach space with $\mathcal{B}$ as its borelian $\sigma$-algebra
$p$ : a constant bigger than $1$
...
- 406
9
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Generalizations and relative applications of Fekete's subadditive lemma
Fekete's (subadditive) lemma takes its name from a 1923 paper by the Hungarian mathematician Michael Fekete [1]. A historical overview and references to (a couple of) generalizations and applications ...
- 10.5k
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Density of smooth functions on Hölder spaces
The following result is often cited without reference in the context of PDEs:
Let $\varOmega \subset\mathbb R^n$ be a bounded open set with smooth boundary. If $0<\beta<\alpha<1$ then $C^\...
- 727
8
votes
1
answer
716
views
A non-hyperfinite type III factor from an action of the free group on the circle
We define below a von Neumann algebra $\mathcal{M}$ from an action of the free group on the circle, and we prove that $\mathcal{M}$ is a non-hyperfinite type ${\rm III}$ factor.
Question : Is $\...
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is the Fourier transform of $e^{-|x|^n}$ positive?
Let
$$\Phi(x) = \int_{\mathbf{R}^n} e^{-|y|^n +i (x,y)} dy.$$
Is $\Phi$ positive everywhere in $\mathbf{R}^n$?
Could someone helps me answer this question or gives a reference for it? Thanks.
- 379
8
votes
1
answer
380
views
Lavrentiev phenomenon between $C^1$ and Lipschitz
Does there exist a (onedimensional) integral functional of calculus of variations (with $f$ finite everywhere)
$$
F(y)=\int_a^b f(t,y(t),y'(t))\,dt
$$
such that
$$
\inf_{y\in Lip([a,b])}F(y)<\inf_{...
- 1,309
7
votes
2
answers
582
views
"sinc-ing" integral
Let $a_1,\dots,a_n, b$ be positive real numbers.
*Question.** Is this true?
$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(bx+a_1x+\cdots+a_nx)}{x}\prod_{j=1}^n\frac{\sin(a_jx)}{a_jx}\,\,dx=\pi.$$
My ...
- 43.2k
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Properties of convolutions
Consider the function
$$f_{n}(x)=e^{-x^2}x^n.$$
and the function
$$h_p(x):=e^{-\vert x \vert^p}.$$
My goal is to analyze
$$ F_p(y):=\frac{(f_2*h_p)(y)}{(f_0*h_p)(y)}- \left(\frac{(f_1*h_p)(y) }{(f_0*...
- 173
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Comparing norms on tensor products of matrices
Given a Hilbert space $H$, let $S_1(H)$ denote the space of trace-class operators on $H$, with the trace-class norm or Schatten 1-norm. That is
$$ \Vert T \Vert_1 = \sum_{j\geq 1} |s_j| $$
where $(s_1,...
- 209
6
votes
1
answer
696
views
Reference request: optimal $L^p$ regularity for solutions to $-\Delta u=f$ with $f\in L^1(R^d)$
The tilte says it all. Given $f\in L^1(R^d)$ (let me restrict to dimension $d\geq 3$ for convenience), what is the optimal $L^p$ regularity for solutions to
$$
-\Delta u=f\hspace{3cm}(1)?
$$
I'm of ...
- 5,380
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Symmetric basis of harmonic homogeneous polynomials
Recently, a question about the beautiful theory of harmonic polynomials made me aware there is something
I've wanted to know for a long time.
As is well known, for any number of variables $n$ and any ...
- 60.5k
6
votes
1
answer
474
views
Proof that $L^2(0,T;X)^* = L^2(0,T;X^*)$
How is the proof that
$$[L^2(0,T;X)]' = L^2(0,T;X')$$
looking like, where $X$ is a Hilbert space? I am asking for the proof that the dual space of $L^2(0,T;X)$ is the space $L^2(0,T;X^*)$.
Is the ...
- 83
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is the space of signed finite measures on a compact set $M([0,1])$ a sequential space?
Let $M([0,1])$ be the set of finite signed measures on $[0,1]$
(with the topology generated by the sets $\left\{ \mu \in M([0,1]) : \left| \int f(x) \mu(dx)- a\right| \leq \delta\right\}$ for all $\...
- 95
5
votes
0
answers
198
views
Heuristic and graphic representation of BV functions and their singularities
This question is about some heuristics and graphs of BV functions.
In 1-dimensional setting, two key examples of $BV$ functions $u: \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ are
the Heaviside function, whose ...
- 839