All Questions
1,464 questions
20
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Question about functional derivatives
This page on Wikipedia defines the so-called functional derivative as follows: "Given a manifold $M$ representing (continuous/smooth) functions $\rho$ (with certain boundary conditions, etc.) and a ...
- 3,515
25
votes
3
answers
13k
views
Fourier transform of the unit sphere
The Fourier transform of the volume form of the (n-1)-sphere in $\mathbf R^n$ is given by the well-known formula
$$
\int_{S^{n-1}}e^{i\langle\mathbf a,\mathbf u\rangle}d\sigma(\mathbf u) = (2\pi)^{\nu ...
- 31.5k
41
votes
4
answers
16k
views
Product of Borel sigma algebras
If $X$ and $Y$ are separable metric spaces, then the Borel $\sigma$-algebra $B(X \times Y)$ of the product is the $\sigma$-algebra generated by $B(X)\times B(Y)$. I am embarrassed to admit that I ...
- 31.5k
238
votes
10
answers
43k
views
If $f$ is infinitely differentiable then $f$ coincides with a polynomial
Let $f$ be an infinitely differentiable function on $[0,1]$ and suppose that for each $x \in [0,1]$ there is an integer $n \in \mathbb{N}$ such that $f^{(n)}(x)=0$. Then does $f$ coincide on $[0,1]$ ...
- 4,795
46
votes
7
answers
10k
views
Are some numbers more irrational than others?
Some irrational numbers are transcendental, which makes them in some sense "more irrational" than algebraic numbers. There are also numbers, such as the golden ratio $\varphi$, which are poorly ...
- 1,823
17
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Kolmogorov superposition for smooth functions
Kolmogorov superposition theorem states that a continuous function $f(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$ can be written as
$$f(x_1,\ldots,x_n)=\sum_{q=0}^{2n}\Phi_q\left(\sum_{p=1}^{n}\phi_{q,p}(x_p)\right)$$
for ...
- 807
14
votes
2
answers
871
views
Are all maps $\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2$ with fixed singular values affine?
Let $f:\mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2$ be a smooth map whose differential has fixed distinct singular values $0<\sigma_1<\sigma_2$ and an everywhere positive determinant (which is the product $\...
- 6,741
5
votes
1
answer
630
views
Infinite dimensional involutions: infinitely large sets of multivariate polynomials self-inverse under self-substitution
Examples of infinite dimensional involutions
Edit 2/25/23, as suggested by YCOR below: (Start)
The first return on a Google search on involution--from late Latin 'a rolling up'--gives the Oxford ...
- 10.5k
107
votes
9
answers
36k
views
solving $f(f(x))=g(x)$
This question is of course inspired by the question How to solve f(f(x))=cosx
and Joel David Hamkins' answer, which somehow gives a formal trick for solving equations of the form $f(f(x))=g(x)$ on a ...
- 41.4k
45
votes
5
answers
3k
views
An "analytic continuation" of power series coefficients
Cauchy residue theorem tells us that for a function
$$f(z) = \sum_{k \in \mathbb{Z}} a(k) z^k,$$
the coefficient $a(k)$ can be extracted by an integral formula
$$a(k) = \frac{1}{2\pi i}\oint f(z) z^{-...
- 1,324
45
votes
7
answers
9k
views
What's an example of a space that needs the Hahn-Banach Theorem?
The Hahn-Banach theorem is rightly seen as one of the Big Theorems in functional analysis. Indeed, it can be said to be where functional analysis really starts. But as it's one of those "there ...
- 26.8k
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Ramanujan's Master Formula: A proof and relation to umbral calculus
The Ramanujan's master theorem states that:
$$
\int_0^{\infty}x^{s-1}\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^n}{n!}a_nx^ndx=\Gamma(s)a_{-s}
$$
I found a really strange proof recently on a personal blog:
Define
$...
- 302
40
votes
5
answers
10k
views
Is there a natural measures on the space of measurable functions?
Given a set Ω and a σ-algebra F of subsets, is there some natural way to assign something like a "uniform" measure on the space of all measurable functions on this space? (I suppose first ...
- 1,475
32
votes
6
answers
3k
views
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
27
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Nice applications for Schwartz distributions
I am to teach a second year grad course in analysis with focus on Schwartz distributions. Among the core topics I intend to cover are:
Some multilinear algebra including the Kernel Theorem and ...
122
votes
5
answers
27k
views
Is the series $\sum_n|\sin n|^n/n$ convergent?
Problem. Is the series $$\sum_{n=1}^\infty\frac{|\sin(n)|^n}n$$convergent?
(The problem was posed on 22.06.2017 by Ph D students of H.Steinhaus Center of Wroclaw Polytechnica. The promised prize for ...
- 4,535
74
votes
15
answers
18k
views
$f(f(x))=\exp(x)-1$ and other functions "just in the middle" between linear and exponential
The question is about the function $f(x)$ so that $f(f(x))=\exp (x)-1$.
The question is open ended and it was discussed quite recently in the comment thread in Aaronson's blog here http://...
- 24.7k
46
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Why could Mertens not prove the prime number theorem?
We know that
$$
\sum_{n \le x}\frac{1}{n\ln n} = \ln\ln x + c_1 + O(1/x)
$$
where $c_1$ is a constant. Again Mertens' theorem says that the primes $p$ satisfy
$$
\sum_{p \le x}\frac{1}{p} = \ln\ln ...
- 5,470
28
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Almost orthogonal vectors
This is to do with high dimensional geometry, which I'm always useless with. Suppose we have some large integer $n$ and some small $\epsilon>0$. Working in the unit sphere of $\mathbb R^n$ or $\...
- 18.7k
26
votes
6
answers
8k
views
prime ideals in C([0,1])
It is clear that each maximal ideal in ring of continuous functions over $[0,1]\subset \mathbb R$ corresponds to a point and vice-versa.
So, for each ideal $I$ define $Z(I) =\{x\in [0,1]\,|\,f(x)=0, ...
- 5,063
26
votes
2
answers
9k
views
Maximal ideals in the ring of continuous real-valued functions on ℝ
For a compact space $K$, the maximal ideals in the ring $C(K)$ of continuous real-valued functions on $K$ are easily identified with the points of $K$ (a point defines the maximal ideal of functions ...
- 6,734
25
votes
9
answers
6k
views
Function with range equal to whole reals on every open set
There is an example of a function that is unbounded on every open set. Just take $f(n/m) = m$ for coprime $n$ and $m$ and $f(irrational) = 0$.
I want to generalize this in a way to get a function ...
- 2,821
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
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Extending an assignment property from Q to R (or C)
Property of any odd number of nonnegative integers:
Given $x_1 \leq \cdots \leq x_{2n + 1}$ with each $x_i \in \mathbb{Z}_{\geq 0}$, suppose that for any $x_i$ we remove, the remaining numbers can be ...
- 7,831
5
votes
1
answer
499
views
Hausdorff dimension of the graph of a BV function
Let $u: \Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^N \to \mathbb{R}^M$ be a $BV$ function.
Is the Hausdorff dimension of the graph of $u$ equal to $N$? How can we prove it?
Update.
In an answer to this post, it ...
- 839
102
votes
21
answers
15k
views
Proofs of the uncountability of the reals
Recently, I learnt in my analysis class the proof of the uncountability of the reals via the Nested Interval Theorem (Wayback Machine). At first, I was excited to see a variant proof (as it did not ...
- 2,855
71
votes
16
answers
21k
views
Is there a nice application of category theory to functional/complex/harmonic analysis?
[Title changed, and wording of question tweaked, by YC, because the original title asked a question which seems different from the one people want to answer.]
I've read looked at the examples in most ...
52
votes
7
answers
6k
views
On an example of an eventually oscillating function
For $x\in(0,1)$, put
$$f(x):=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}(-1)^{n}x^{2^{n}}.$$
This function possesses interesting properties. It grows monotonically from $0$ up to certain point. Then it starts to oscillate ...
- 2,188
46
votes
2
answers
8k
views
"Closed-form" functions with half-exponential growth
Let's call a function f:N→N half-exponential if there exist constants 1<c<d such that for all sufficiently large n,
cn < f(f(n)) < dn.
Then my question is this: can we prove that no ...
- 9,823
43
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Square root of a positive $C^\infty$ function.
Suppose $f$ is a $C^\infty$ function from the reals to the reals that is never negative. Does it have a $C^\infty$ square root? Clearly the only problem points are those at which $f$ vanishes.
- 907
39
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Can Cantor set be the zero set of a continuous function?
More generally, can the zero set $V(f)$ of a continuous function $f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ be nowhere dense and uncountable? What if $f$ is smooth?
Some days ago I discovered that in this proof ...
- 5,339
38
votes
13
answers
5k
views
Continuous relations?
What might it mean for a relation $R\subset X\times Y$ to be continuous, where $X$ and $Y$ are topological spaces? In topology, category theory or in analysis? Is it possible, canonical, useful?
I ...
- 862
38
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Binomial again, and again
Let $\lceil a\rceil=$ the smallest integer $\geq a$, otherwise known as the ceiling function. When the arguments are real, interpret $\binom{a}b$ using the Euler's gamma function, $\Gamma$.
Recently, ...
- 43.2k
27
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Kasteleyn's formula for domino tilings generalized?
It seems a marvel when a bunch of irrational numbers "conspire" to become rational, even better an integer. An elementary example is $\prod_{j=1}^n4\cos^2\left(\pi j/(2n+1)\right)=1$.
Kasteleyn's ...
- 43.2k
26
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Proof that no differentiable space-filling curve exists
Could someone provide a reference or a sketch of a proof that no differentiable space-filling curve exists?
Or piecewise differentiable?
Must every continuous space-filling curve be nowhere ...
- 151k
25
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Functional approach vs jet approach to Lagrangian field theory
Context: I am a PhD student in theoretical physics with higher-than-average education on differential geometry. I am trying to understand Lagrangian and Hamiltonian field theories and related concepts ...
- 2,792
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
19
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Solutions-set first order ODE's without uniqueness
In short: What can we say about the set of all solutions of an ordinary differential equation (ODE) when we there is no uniqueness?
Consider the ODE
$f:D\to \mathbb{R}, \quad D\subseteq \mathbb{R}^2,$
...
- 3,574
18
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why is there no Borel function mapping every countable set of reals outside itself?
A choice function maps every set (in its domain) to an element of itself. This question concerns existence of an anti-choice function defined on the family of countable sets of reals. In an answer to ...
- 30.1k
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 ...
- 4,729
10
votes
2
answers
925
views
Isomorphisms between spaces of test functions and sequence spaces
I am in the process of writing some self-contained notes on probability theory in spaces of distributions, for the purposes of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory. Perhaps the simplest ...
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Harmonic oscillator discrete spectrum
Let us act intentionally stupid and assume we do not know that we can solve for the spectrum of the harmonic oscillator
$$-\frac{d^2}{dx^2}+x^2$$
explicitly.
Is there an abstract argument why the ...
- 501
5
votes
1
answer
699
views
Can $L^1_{loc}$ be represented as colimit?
Let $L^1_{loc}$ denote the set of all functions from $\mathbb{R}$ to itself which are locally integrable. For every infinite compact subset $K\subseteq \mathbb{R}$, let $L^1_{m_K}$ denote the space ...
- 5,405
5
votes
2
answers
321
views
If the Hausforff dimension of the graph of a function $u$ is $N$ and $\tilde u = u$ a.e. then $\dim_H \mathrm{graph} \, \tilde u = N$ too
Let $\Omega$ be an open (non empty) set and $u:\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^N \to \mathbb{R}^M$ be a function such that the Hausdorff dimension of its graph is $N$.
Let $\tilde u = u$ a.e. Is it true ...
- 839
4
votes
1
answer
597
views
Meaning of Alberti rank-one theorem
Heuristically what does Alberti's rank-one theorem imply about the structure of a $\mathrm{BV}$ vector field $\boldsymbol{b}$?
Is it rigorously fair to say that the level lines of $\boldsymbol{b}$ ...
user123457
239
votes
14
answers
76k
views
Have any long-suspected irrational numbers turned out to be rational?
The history of proving numbers irrational is full of interesting stories, from the ancient proofs for $\sqrt{2}$, to Lambert's irrationality proof for $\pi$, to Roger Apéry's surprise demonstration ...
106
votes
5
answers
10k
views
integral of a "sin-omial" coefficients=binomial
I find the following averaged-integral amusing and intriguing, to say the least. Is there any proof?
For any pair of integers $n\geq k\geq0$, we have
$$\frac1{\pi}\int_0^{\pi}\frac{\sin^n(x)}{\...
- 43.2k
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