All Questions
13,925 questions
33
votes
7
answers
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Topology on the set of analytic functions
Let $H(D)$ be the set of all analytic functions in a region $D$ in $C$ or in $C^n$.
Everyone who worked with this set knows that there is only one reasonable topology
on it: the uniform convergence on ...
- 91.8k
33
votes
1
answer
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For which maps $S^1\to S^1$ is the winding number defined?
There are two classes of maps $S^1\to S^1$ for which I know how to define the winding number:
• Continuous maps:
Using the unique path lifting property of the universal covering map $\mathbb R\to S^...
- 43.2k
33
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can $[0,1]^4$ be partitioned into copies of $(0,1)^3$?
Is there a partition of $[0,1]^4$ such that every member of the partition is homeomorphic to $(0,1)^3$?
More generally, I would like to know for which values of $m$ and $n$ there is a partition of $[0,...
- 18.6k
33
votes
1
answer
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Is it still an open problem whether $\mathbb{R}^\omega$ is normal in the box topology?
On page 205 of his Topology textbook, James Munkres made an interesting remark:
It is not known whether $\mathbb{R}^\omega$ is normal in the box topology. Mary-Ellen Rudin has shown that the answer ...
- 4,597
33
votes
1
answer
2k
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Stone-Weierstrass theorem for holomorphic functions?
The Stone-Weierstrass theorem has an analog for the algebras of smooth functions, called
Naсhbin's theorem: An involutive subalgebra $A$ in the algebra ${\mathcal C}^\infty(M)$ of smooth ...
- 7,426
33
votes
1
answer
3k
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Fake versus Exotic
Without recourse to the Disc Theorem (or its progeny), is it true that all known examples of exotic differentiable structures on 4-manifolds would be fake rather than exotic?
Terminology (perhaps non-...
- 2,337
33
votes
0
answers
1k
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Subalgebras of von Neumann algebras
In the late 70s, Cuntz and Behncke had a paper
H. Behncke and J. Cuntz, Local Completeness of Operator Algebras, Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 62, No. 1 (Jan., 1977), pp. 95-...
- 25.5k
32
votes
19
answers
23k
views
Good books on theory of distributions
Hi all.
I'm looking for english books with a good coverage of distribution theory.
I'm a fan of Folland's Real analysis, but it only gives elementary notions on distributions.
Thanks in advance.
32
votes
11
answers
23k
views
A book for problems in Functional Analysis
I want to know if there's any book that categorizes problems by subjects of Functional Analysis.
I'm studying Functional Analysis now a days and I really need to solve some problems in order to ...
32
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Does the Brouwer fixed point theorem admit a constructive proof?
Wikipedia and a few websites (and a few mathoverflow answers) say there is a constructive proof of the Brouwer fixed point theorem, some others say no. The argument for a constructive proof is always ...
- 18.7k
32
votes
3
answers
4k
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Which spaces are inverse limits of discrete spaces ?
There is the following theorem:
"A space $X$ is the inverse limit of a system of discrete finite spaces, if and only if $X$ is totally disconnected, compact and Hausdorff."
A finite discrete space ...
- 11.1k
32
votes
6
answers
3k
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Can distribution theory be developed Riemann-free?
I imagine most people who frequent MO have been indoctrinated into the point of view that the Riemann integral can be safely discarded once one has taken the time to develop the Lebesgue integral. ...
- 29.2k
32
votes
3
answers
3k
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Why are there so many fractional derivatives?
I have been interested in fractional calculus for some time now, and I have seen "lots" of definitions of the $\frac {d^\alpha} {dx^\alpha}$ operator.
I started with the book The Fractional Calculus ...
- 3,738
32
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Are there non-reflexive vector spaces isomorphic to their bi-dual?
Let $V$ be an infinite dimensional topological vector space and consider the natural application $\iota\colon V\to V^{**}$. The space $V$ is said to be reflexive if $\iota$ is an isomorphism.
Are ...
- 7,902
32
votes
2
answers
5k
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A question about "Zariski dense" arguments
This question is a little basic, but I think it is consistent with the goals of MO.
My question is about a certain type of argument in algebraic geometry which exploits the abundance of dense sets ...
- 29.2k
32
votes
1
answer
2k
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Homeomorphisms and disjoint unions
Let $X$ and $Y$ be compact subsets of $\mathbb{R}^n$. Assume that $X \sqcup X \cong Y \sqcup Y$ (here $X \sqcup X$ is the disjoint union of two copies of $X$, considered as a topological space, and ...
- 556
32
votes
1
answer
2k
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A group allowing exactly 7 group topologies
Is there a group $G$ allowing exactly 7 group topologies on $G$: $\mathcal T_{\text{trivial}}, \mathcal T_{\text{discrete}}, \mathcal T_1, \mathcal T_2,\mathcal T_3,\mathcal T_4, \mathcal T_5$ with
$$...
- 1,145
32
votes
1
answer
2k
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Bidi: A new cardinal characteristic of the continuum?
This question assumes familiarity with combinatorial cardinal
characteristics of the continuum.
Identify an infinite set $a\subseteq\mathbb{N}$ with its increasing
enumeration. Thus, for each natural ...
- 3,104
32
votes
1
answer
1k
views
If $\text{dim}(X \times X) = 2\text{dim}(X)$, does $\text{dim}(X^n) = n\text{dim}(X)$?
I have been learning some (topological) dimension theory and have gotten through most of the basic material, at this point, and am about to start looking at papers. In particular, I want to get ...
- 439
32
votes
3
answers
6k
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Is "compact implies sequentially compact" consistent with ZF?
Over at the nForum, we've been discussing sequential compactness. The discussion led me to realise that I naively assumed that nets were simply Big Sequences, and that I could make a reasonable guess ...
- 26.8k
31
votes
17
answers
14k
views
Applications of Brouwer's fixed point theorem
I'm presenting Brouwer's fixed point theorem to an audience that knows some point-set topology. Does anyone have any zippy / enlightening / cool applications or consequences of it? So far, I have:
...
31
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Intuition for failure of Implicit Function theorem on Frechet Manifolds
When dealing with moduli spaces of, say connections or metrics, I am using the notions of Frechet spaces/manifolds/groups. I have become familiar with Banach manifolds (I think), but Frechet manifolds ...
- 17.5k
31
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Why is it useful to classify the vector bundles of a space?
It seems to me that vector bundles are useful because they allow us to bring to bear all of the linear algebra we know to aid in the study of topological spaces. Now, I've read somewhere that it is ...
- 775
31
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Non embedding of $Y\times Y$ into $\mathbb{R}^3$
I know that this is a well known result, but where can I find a proof? I am also interested to see more general non-embedding results of this type.
Theorem. Let $Y$ be the union of two segments ...
- 28k
31
votes
6
answers
6k
views
Least number of charts to describe a given manifold
Hello, I'm wondering if there is a standard reference discussing the least number of charts in an atlas of a given manifold required to describe it.
E.g. a circle requires at least two charts, and ...
- 2,901
31
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Are all Hawaiian Earrings homeomorphic?
The Hawaiian Earring is usually constructed as the union of circles of radius 1/n centered at (0,1/n): $\bigcup_1^\infty \left[ (0, \frac{1}{n}) + \frac{1}{n}S^1 \right]$. However, nothing stops us ...
- 22.8k
31
votes
13
answers
6k
views
Classic applications of Baire category theorem
I've seen Baire category theorem used to prove existence of objects with certain properties. But it seems there is another class of interesting applications of Baire category theorem that I have yet ...
31
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is a normed space which is homeomorphic to a Banach space complete?
I have a normed space $(E,||\cdot||)$ which is homeomorphic (as a topological space) to a Banach space $F$.
Does this imply that $(E,||\cdot||)$ is also a Banach space?
I think I read something ...
- 495
31
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is $\mathbb{R}\cong\text{Cont}(X,Y)$ for some non-trivial spaces $X,Y$?
For topological spaces $X,Y$ let $\text{Cont}(X,Y)$ be the collection of continuous functions $f:X\to Y.$ We endow $\text{Cont}(X,Y)$ with the topology inherited from the product topology on $Y^X.$
...
- 48.9k
31
votes
3
answers
5k
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When is an integral transform trace class?
Given a measure space $(X, \mu)$ and a measurable integral kernel $k : X \times X \rightarrow \mathbb{C}$, the operator
$$ K f(\xi) =\int_{X} f(x) k(x,\xi) d \mu(x),$$
the operator $K$ is Hilbert ...
- 11.2k
31
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Open problems in Sobolev spaces
What are the open problems in the theory of Sobolev spaces?
I would like to see problems that are yes or no only. Also I would like to see problems with the statements that are short and easy to ...
31
votes
1
answer
2k
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Szőkefalvi-Nagy's unitarizability theorem in the Calkin algebra?
Here's a research problem, which I think interesting.
Suppose that $t$ is an invertible element in the Calkin algebra $\mathcal{Q} = \mathcal{B}(\ell_2)/\mathcal{K}(\ell_2)$ which satisfies $\sup_{n \...
- 10.1k
31
votes
1
answer
2k
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Topology on space of hyperfunctions
This is a reference request, coming from someone with little knowledge of hyperfunctions:
Which methods have been used to endow the space of hyperfunctions $\mathcal B(\mathbb R)$ with something like ...
- 21.3k
31
votes
0
answers
2k
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Do there exist infinite-dimensional Banach spaces in which every bounded linear operator attains its norm?
Let $X$ be a Banach space, $L(X)$ the space of all bounded linear operators on $X$. We say that $A ∈ L(X)$ attains its norm if there exists $x ∈ X$ such that $\|x\| = 1$ and $\|Ax\| = \|A\|$. The ...
- 4,878
31
votes
0
answers
1k
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When are two C*-algebras isomorphic as Banach spaces?
We may consider each $C^*$-algebra as a Banach space (by forgetting the multiplication and adjoint). I wonder how drastic this step is, i.e., which properties of the $C^*$-algebra are reflected by its ...
- 3,497
30
votes
4
answers
2k
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is f a polynomial provided that it is "partially" smooth?
Let $f$ be a $C^\infty$ function on $(c,d)$ ,and
let $O=\cup_{n\in \mathbb{Z}^+} (a_n,b_n)$ where $(a_n,b_n)$ are disjoint open interval in $(c,d)$ and $O$ is dense in $(c,d)$.
Suppose for each $n\in ...
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30
votes
5
answers
4k
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The role of ANR in modern topology
Absolute neighborhood retracts (ANRs) are topological spaces $X$ which, whenever $i\colon X\to Y$ is an embedding into a normal topological space $Y$, there exists a neighborhood $U$ of $i(X)$ in $Y$ ...
30
votes
2
answers
2k
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Does there exist any non-contractible manifold with fixed point property?
Does there exist any non-trivial space (i.e not deformation retract onto a point) in $\mathbb R^n$ such that any continuous map from the space onto itself has a fixed point. I highly suspect that the ...
- 3,751
30
votes
4
answers
4k
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Elementary applications of Krein-Milman
This is a cross-post from MSE: Elementary applications of Krein-Milman. I'm starting to suspect that the question just doesn't really have a great answer, it's worth a try.
Recall that the Krein-...
30
votes
8
answers
3k
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Cryptomorphisms
I am curious to collect examples of equivalent axiomatizations of mathematical structures. The two examples that I have in mind are
Topological Spaces. These can be defined in terms of open sets, ...
30
votes
5
answers
3k
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The ants-on-a-ball problem
Suppose I put an ant in a tiny racecar on every face of a soccer ball. Each ant then drives around the edges of her face counterclockwise. The goal is to prove that two of the ants will eventually ...
30
votes
2
answers
2k
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Is every connected subgroup of a Euclidean space closed?
The question listed above (in the context of the complex numbers, but it is a reasonable question to ask in any dimension) was asked by a student in my complex analysis class, and I did not have an ...
- 114k
30
votes
3
answers
2k
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Is there a subset of the plane that meets every line in two open intervals?
Using the Axiom of Choice, it is possible to construct a subset of the plane that meets every line in two points (these are called "$2$-point sets"). What if, instead of points, we ask for two open ...
- 18.6k
30
votes
5
answers
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Is the universal covering of an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ diffeomorphic to an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ ?
Is the universal covering of a connected open subset $U$ of ℝn diffeomorphic to an open subset of ℝn (standard differentiable structure)?
If not true in general, is there any condition ...
30
votes
3
answers
3k
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Surjectivity of operators on $\ell^\infty$
Can anyone give me an example of an bounded and linear operator $T:\ell^\infty\to \ell^\infty$ (the space of bounded sequences with the usual sup-norm), such that T has dense range, but is not ...
- 301
30
votes
1
answer
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Functional-analytic proof of the existence of non-symmetric random variables with vanishing odd moments
It is known that a random variable $X$ which is symmetric about $0$ (i.e $X$ and $-X$ have the same distribution) must have all its odd moments (when they exist!) equal to zero. The converse is a ...
- 6,853
29
votes
15
answers
6k
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Important results that use infinite-dimensional manifolds?
Are Banach manifolds (or other types of infinite-dimensional manifolds) just curiosities, or have they been utilized to prove some interesting/important results? Where do they turn up? Important ...
29
votes
4
answers
1k
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Does $M^o=N^o$ imply that $\partial M = \partial N$?
let $M$ be a smooth $n$-manifold with boundary $\partial M$; I denote by $M^o$ the internal part of $M$, that is $M \smallsetminus \partial M$.
The question is the same as in the title: let $M$ and $N$...
- 674
29
votes
2
answers
2k
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Contractibility of the space of Jordan curves
Is the space of Jordan curves in $\textbf{R}^2$ contractible? In other words, is there a canonical or continuous way to deform each Jordan curve to the unit circle $\textbf{S}^1$.
If the curves are ...
- 7,194
29
votes
1
answer
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Is there a topological space X homeomorphic to the space of continuous functions from X to [0, 1]?
In general, we might ask when we can find interesting spaces $X, Y$ such that $X$ is homeomorphic to $[X, Y]$. By the Lawvere fixed point theorem $Y$ must have the fixed point property. Happily, $Y = [...
- 118k