All Questions
10,231 questions
26
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Origin and first uses of $\ell_p$ norms?
When exactly were $\ell_p$ norms first defined and used?
(Here is what I know, or think I know: Lebesgue and/or Riesz had something to do with them, but in some sense they go back to Minkowski, since ...
- 20.2k
26
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Universality of zeta- and L-functions
Voronin´s Universality Theorem (for the Riemann zeta-Function) according to Wikipedia: Let $U$ be a compact subset of the "critical half-strip" $\{s\in\mathbb{C}:\frac{1}{2}<Re(s)<1\}$ with ...
- 7,127
26
votes
1
answer
820
views
The maximal "nearly convex" function
The following problem is only tangentially related to my present work, and I do
not have any applications. However, I am curious to know the solution -- or
even to see a lack thereof, indicating that ...
- 23k
26
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Symmetric strengthening of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality
In this great question by Nathaniel Johnston, and in its answers, we can learn the following remarkable inequality: For all $v,w \in \mathbb{R}^n$ we have
\begin{align*}
\|v^2\| \, \|w^2\| - \langle ...
- 12.6k
26
votes
2
answers
2k
views
When is a locally convex topological vector space normal or paracompact?
All locally convex topological vector spaces (LCTVS) are completely regular, since their topology is given by a family of semi-norms. I'm interested in conditions that imply that a LCTVS is ...
- 26.8k
26
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why are quasitopological spaces needed in sheaf theoretic approaches to the h-principle?
Recently I have been learning more about the h-principle and in particular the methods of "continuous sheaves". In many treatments of this I see people using "quasi-topological spaces" and I am trying ...
- 27.5k
26
votes
3
answers
11k
views
L1 distance between gaussian measures
L1 distance between gaussian measures: Definition
Let $P_1$ and $P_0$ be two gaussian measures on $\mathbb{R}^p$ with respective "mean,Variance" $m_1,C_1$ and $m_0,C_0$ (I assume matrices have full ...
- 833
25
votes
16
answers
4k
views
functions satisfying "one-one iff onto"
Hello Everybody.
I need some more examples for the following really interesting phenomenon:
A function from the class ... is one-one iff it is onto.
Some ...
25
votes
6
answers
15k
views
Does every distribution define a Radon measure?
On the one hand, Wikipedia suggests that every distribution defines a Radon measure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distribution_(mathematics)#Functions_as_distributions (revision from February 2010, ...
- 2,895
25
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Understanding of rough path
A rough path is defined as an ordered pair
$ (X, \mathbb X)$, where $X$ is a path mapping from $[0,T]$ to some Banach space $V$
and $\mathbb X:[0,T]^2 \mapsto V^2$ is another mapping for additional ...
- 1,399
25
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Dual of the space of Hölder continuous functions?
Let $X=C^{\alpha}(\Omega,\mathbb{R})$ be the space of Hölder continuous functions. What is its dual?
- 1,256
25
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Does there exist a measurable function which is not a.e. "strongly" measurable?
More specifically, letting $I=[0,1]$, do there exist $f,E$ with $E$ a (necessarily nonseparable) Banach space and $f$ a bounded Lebesgue measurable function $I\to E$ such that $f$ is not equal almost ...
- 3,584
25
votes
2
answers
2k
views
$f^3,f^2$ are the cube and quadratic of f respectively and both infinite differentiable on $R$,how to show so is $f$
Let $f$ be a real function with domain R.
If $f^2$ and $f^3$ are both infinitely differentiable on R,
how to prove $f$ is infinitely differentiable on R?
I have been thinking about this problem for a ...
- 295
25
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can nuclearity be determined by tensoring with a single C*-algebra?
A C*-algebra is nuclear if the algebraic tensor product $A\odot B$ ($B$ is any other C*-algebra) admits a unique C*-norm. This definition requires testing the condition for nuclearity with `all' C*-...
- 505
25
votes
6
answers
3k
views
Quantum fields and infinite tensor products
As I understand it, a naive interpretation of the state space of a quantum field theory is an infinite tensor product
$$\otimes_{x\in M} H_x,$$
where $x$ runs over the points of space. This ...
- 13.6k
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 ...
- 3,292
25
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is the opposite category of commutative von Neumann algebras a topos?
By the "category of commutative von Neumann algebras" I mean the category of all commutative von Neumann algebras with normal unital $*$-homomorphisms between them (I don't want to restrict ...
- 42.4k
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
$$
\int_{S^{n-1}}e^{i\langle\mathbf a,\mathbf u\rangle}d\sigma(\mathbf u) = (2\pi)^{\nu ...
- 31.5k
25
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Convergence of Fourier Series of $L^1$ Functions
I recently learned of the result by Carleson and Hunt (1968) which states that if $f \in L^p$ for $p > 1$, then the Fourier series of $f$ converges to $f$ pointwise-a.e. Also, Wikipedia informs me ...
- 871
24
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Why the sequence of Bernstein polynomials of $\sqrt x$ is increasing?
Bernstein polynomials preserves nicely several global properties of the function to be approximated: if e.g. $f:[0,1]\to\mathbb R$ is non-negative, or monotone, or convex; or if it has, say, non-...
- 60.5k
24
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is the Invariant Subspace Problem arithmetic?
Invariant Subspace Conjecture: A bounded operator on a separable Hilbert space has a non-trivial closed invariant subspace.
Can this conjecture be reformulated as an arithmetic statement, that is, $\...
- 6,891
24
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Self-dual normed spaces which are not Hilbert spaces
Are there any examples of non-Hilbert normed spaces which are isomorphic (in the norm sense) to their dual spaces? Or, is there any result in Functional Analysis which says that if a space is self-...
- 2,239
24
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Unique predual of a Banach space
Suppose $E$ is a dual Banach space whose predual is unique, and $E_0$ is a codimension 1 weak* closed subspace of $E$. Is the predual of $E_0$ necessarily unique?
Okay, I will reveal the motivation. ...
- 42.8k
24
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can Hölder's Inequality be strengthened for smooth functions?
Is there an $\epsilon>0$ so that for every nonnegative integrable function $f$ on the reals,
$$\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
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
views
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
Relative commutants of abelian von Neumann algebras
This question arose from the discussion over at the question Centralizers in $C^*$-algebras.
Which von Neumann algebras $N$ satisfy the property that $A' \cap N = B' \cap N \implies A = B$, for all ...
- 4,624
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