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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 ...
user521337's user avatar
  • 1,209
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 $(Tf)(x) = f(x+1)$...
BigbearZzz's user avatar
  • 1,245
21 votes
2 answers
2k views

Boundedness of sum of sin(sin(n))

Playing with desmos I have accidentally noticed that the sequence of partial sums $$\left\{ \sum_{n=1}^{N}\sin(\sin(n)) : N\geq 1 \right\}$$ is bounded. However, I did not succeed in proving this ...
Oleksandr Liubimov's user avatar
21 votes
0 answers
1k views

Almost everywhere differentiability for a class of functions on $\mathbb{R}^2$

A while ago, I came across the following problem, which I was not able to resolve one way or the other. Let $f,g\colon\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ be continuous functions such that $f(t,x)$ and $g(t,...
George Lowther's user avatar
21 votes
1 answer
564 views

Partitions of ${\rm Sym}(\mathbb{N})$ induced by convergent, but not absolutely convergent series

Let $(a_n) \subset \mathbb{R}$ be a sequence such that the series $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ converges, but does not converge absolutely. Then there is a partition of the symmetric group ${\rm Sym}(\...
Stefan Kohl's user avatar
  • 19.6k
21 votes
2 answers
2k views

Real rootedness of a polynomial

Let's consider $m$ and $n$ arbitrary positive integers, with $m\leq n$, and the polynomial given by: $$ P_{m,n}(t) := \sum_{j=0}^m \binom{m}{j}\binom{n}{j} t^j$$ I've found with Sage that for every $...
Luis Ferroni's user avatar
  • 1,889
20 votes
1 answer
685 views

Can all partial sums $\sum_{k=1}^n f(ka)$ where $f(x)=\log|2\sin(x/2)|$ be non-negative?

Let $f(x)=\log|2\sin(x/2)|$ (the normalizing factor $2$ is chosen to have the average over the period equal to $0$). Does there exist $a>0$ such that all sums $\sum_{k=1}^n f(ak)\ge 0$? The ...
fedja's user avatar
  • 61.9k
19 votes
5 answers
1k views

Floors of powers of reals, how much do the first few determine the next?

Call an integer sequence $\mathbf{x}=\left( x_1,x_2,\cdots \right)$ feasible if it is $f(r)=\left(\lfloor r \rfloor, \lfloor r^2 \rfloor, \lfloor r^3 \rfloor, \ldots, \lfloor r^n \rfloor, \ldots \...
Aaron Meyerowitz's user avatar
19 votes
3 answers
1k views

What standard Banach space is isomorphic to the completion of this different normed structure on $\ell^1$?

A colleague asked me the following question: "What can one do with the following norm on $\ell^1$: $|x|=\int_1^2 |x|_pdp$ where $| \;\; |_p$ is the standard norm on $\ell_p$?" This ...
Ali Taghavi's user avatar
19 votes
4 answers
3k views

Strange result about convexity

$f \in C^2([0,1])$ with $f''$ convex and $f(0) = f'(0) = f''(0) = 0$. Is it true that : $f''(1)+6f(1)\geq 4f'(1)$ ? Source: AoPS
Dattier's user avatar
  • 4,074
18 votes
2 answers
1k views

Comparing "axiomatized function spaces"

This was previously asked and bountied at math.stackexchange with no response. I've also tweaked the language for clarity; see the edit history for the broader context, and note that the existing ...
Noah Schweber's user avatar
18 votes
2 answers
2k views

Generalization of Darboux's Theorem

Darboux's Theorem. If $f:[a,b]\to\mathbb R$ is differentiable and $f'(a)<\xi<f'(b)$, then there exists a $c\in (a,b)$, such that $\,f'(c)=\xi$. Does any of the following generalizations Let $U\...
smyrlis's user avatar
  • 2,933
17 votes
1 answer
986 views

Can two-point sets be Borel?

Recall that a two-point set is a subset of the plane which meets every line in exactly two points. Such a set was first constructed by Mazurkiewicz in 1914. I wonder if the following question of ...
Mohammad Golshani's user avatar
17 votes
3 answers
1k views

Decoupling a double integral

I came across this question while making some calculations. QUESTION. Can you find some transformation to "decouple" the double integral as follows? $$\int_0^{\frac{\pi}2}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
2k views

Explicit and fast error bounds for polynomial approximation

Main Question This question is about finding explicit, calculable, and fast error bounds when approximating continuous functions with polynomials to a user-specified error tolerance. EDIT (Apr. 23): ...
Peter O.'s user avatar
  • 697
17 votes
2 answers
2k views

"Find $\lim_{n \to \infty}\frac{x_n}{\sqrt{n}}$ where $x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$" -where does this problem come from?

Recently, I encountered this problem: "Given a sequence of positive number $(x_n)$ such that for all $n$, $$x_{n+1}=x_n+\frac{n}{x_1+x_2+\cdots+x_n}$$ Find the limit $\lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} \...
Paresseux Nguyen's user avatar
16 votes
1 answer
661 views

Does every real function have this weak derivation property?

After this question : Does every real function have this weak continuity property? Natrualy there are an other (more difficult) : Is it true that for every real function $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}...
Dattier's user avatar
  • 4,074
16 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are continuous functions almost completely determined by their modulus of continuity?

Given a function $f: \mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$, we define its left modulus of continuity, $L(f): \mathbb{R} \times (0, \infty)\to [0,\infty]$ by $$L(f)(x, e) := \sup \{d \ge 0 \,:\, f((x, x+d)) \...
James Baxter's user avatar
  • 2,069
16 votes
3 answers
1k views

A kernel 'more analytic' than $\exp(-x^2)$

I am looking for an analytic function $F: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow (0,\infty)$ with $\int_{\mathbb{R}} F(x) \, dx = 1$ and the property, that $\sum\limits_{k=0}^{\infty} |c_k| \varepsilon^k (2k)! < \...
Ben Deitmar's user avatar
  • 1,295
16 votes
3 answers
1k views

A natural center of a convex weakly compact set in Banach space

Question: Let $S$ be a convex weakly compact set in Banach space $H$. Propose a natural way to define the unique center $O \in S$. Motivation: A lot! For example, in game theory $S$ can be a set of ...
Bogdan's user avatar
  • 161
15 votes
1 answer
904 views

Bijection $f: \mathbb R^n \to \mathbb R^n$ that maps connected onto connected sets must map closed connected onto closed connected sets?

Willie Wong asked here (MO) and here (MSE) very interesting question. As he phrased it: Let $(X,\tau), (Y,\sigma)$ be two topological spaces. We say that a map $f: \mathcal{P}(X)\to \mathcal{P}(Y)$ ...
Right's user avatar
  • 225
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Characterizing $\mathbf{R}$ as an ordered group

A standard characterization of $\mathbf{R}$ uses the order and the field structure: any linearly ordered field that is archimedean and complete is isomorphic to $(\mathbf{R}, +, \times, <)$ as an ...
coudy's user avatar
  • 18.7k
15 votes
1 answer
2k views

Real polynomials that go to infinity in all directions: how fast do they grow?

Let $f(x_1, \cdots, x_n) \in \mathbb{R}[x_1, \cdots, x_n]$ be a polynomial. Define property $\mathbf{P}$ to be the property that there exists a compact set $K \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ and a positive ...
Stanley Yao Xiao's user avatar
15 votes
0 answers
749 views

Prove $\int_{0}^{\infty} \cos(\omega x) \exp(-x^{\alpha}) \, {\rm d} x \ge {\alpha^2 \sqrt{\pi} \over 8} \exp \left( -\frac{\omega^2}{4} \right)$

I would like to prove that $$\int_{0}^{\infty} \cos(\omega x) \exp(-x^{\alpha}) \, {\rm d} x \ge {\alpha^2 \sqrt{\pi} \over 8} \exp \left( -\frac{\omega^2}{4} \right)$$ for any $\omega > 0$ and $...
Tanya Vladi's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
2k views

Where does the Lebesgue differentiation theorem fail?

The Lebesgue differentiation theorem says that for certain metric spaces $X$ (see below), any Borel measure $\mu$ that is finite on bounded sets and any $f: X \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ locally $\mu$-...
Vanessa's user avatar
  • 1,368
15 votes
3 answers
903 views

Tauberian theorem $\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-\lambda_{k}t}c_{k} \xrightarrow{t\to 0} \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}c_{k} $

I am trying to prove or disprove $$\sum_{k=1}^{\infty}e^{-\lambda_{k}t}c_{k} \xrightarrow{t\to 0} \sum_{k=1}^{\infty}c_{k} ,$$ where $\sum c_{k}<\infty, \sum c_{k}^{2}<\infty\text{ and }\frac{\...
Thomas Kojar's user avatar
  • 5,474
15 votes
3 answers
2k views

Asymptotic expansion of $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{n!{\sqrt{n}} }$

I've been trying to find an asymptotic expansion of the following series $$C(x) = \sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{n!{\sqrt{n}} }$$ and $$L(x) = \sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{x^{2n+1}}{...
Trax's user avatar
  • 153
14 votes
2 answers
996 views

Does there exist some $C$ independent of $n$ and $f$ such that $ \|f''\|_p \geq Cn^2 \| f \|_p$, where $1 \leq p\leq \infty$?

Let $f$ be a trigonometric polynomial on the circle $\mathbb{T}$ with $\hat{f}(j) = 0$ for all $j \in \mathbb{Z}$ with $\lvert j \rvert < n$. Does there exist some $C$ independent of $n$ and $f$ ...
user312503's user avatar
14 votes
0 answers
633 views

Classes of (non-continuous) functions with the fixed point property

Let $K$ be a convex body in $ R^d$. (Say, a ball, say a cube...) For which classes $ \cal C$ of functions, every function $ f \in {\cal C}$ which takes $K$ into itself admits a fixed point in $K$. ...
Gil Kalai's user avatar
  • 24.7k
14 votes
1 answer
481 views

A question on a real sequence

Let $\{a_n\}_{n\ge1}$ be a real sequence that decays faster than any algebraic speed, that is, $\lim_{n\to \infty} n^pa_n = 0$ for every positive integer $p$. Assume that $$\sum_{n\ge 1}(n+1)^kn^ka_n =...
Jacob Lu's user avatar
  • 903
14 votes
1 answer
900 views

“Taylor series” is to “Volterra series” as “Padé approximant” is to _________?

Padé approximants are often better than Taylor series at representing a function. Given a Taylor series, one can use Wynn's epsilon algorithm to easily produce the Padé approximants to it. Volterra ...
Mike Battaglia's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
807 views

Integral of power of binomials equal to sum of power of binomials?

Inspired by this MO question about integrating binomial coefficients and the answers, I was wondering whether integrating powers of binomial coefficients also relates to the respective sums. And ...
Andreas Rüdinger's user avatar
14 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to prove $e^x\left|\int_x^{x+1}\sin(e^t) \,\mathrm d t\right|\le 1.4$?

Related question asked by me on Math SE a few days ago: How to prove $e^x\left|\int_x^{x+1}\sin(e^t) \,\mathrm d t\right|\le 1.4$? A few days ago, somebody asked How to prove $ \mathrm{e}^x\left|\...
Maximilian Janisch's user avatar
13 votes
7 answers
35k views

Real analysis has no applications?

I'm teaching an undergrad course in real analysis this Fall and we are using the text "Real Mathematical Analysis" by Charles Pugh. On the back it states that real analysis involves no "applications ...
13 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is the exponential function the sole solution to these equations?

Let us take the exponential function $\lambda^z$ where $0 < \lambda < 1$. There are many great uniqueness conditions this holomorphic function satisfies. For example, it is the only function ...
user avatar
13 votes
0 answers
710 views

Minimizing total variation under constraint

For $p\in[0,1]$, we write $\mathrm{Ber}(p)$ to denote the Bernoulli measure on $\{0,1\}$; that is, $\mathrm{Ber}(p)(0)=1-p$, $\mathrm{Ber}(p)(1)=p$. For $n\in\mathbb{N}$ and $p=(p_1,\ldots,p_n)\in[0,1]...
Aryeh Kontorovich's user avatar
13 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there an increasing function on $[a, b]$ which is differentiable, but not absolutely continuous?

Is there an increasing function on $[a, b]$ which is differentiable, but not absolutely continuous?
LMP's user avatar
  • 577
13 votes
6 answers
4k views

Finding f such that f(f(x))=g(x) given g

Suppose $g(x)$ is a smooth increasing function defined for $x \ge 0$ such that $g(x) \ge x$ for all $x$. Does there exist a function $f$ with similar properties such that $f(f(x))=g(x)$ for all $x \ge ...
David Corwin's user avatar
  • 15.4k
13 votes
3 answers
820 views

Is there a Borel subset of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $, with finite vertical cross-sections, whose projection onto the first component is non-Borel?

This question is related to another one that I asked two days ago. Question. Does there exist a Borel subset $ M $ of $ \mathbb{R}^{2} $ with the following two properties? The ...
Transcendental's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
2k views

Looking for sufficient conditions for positive Fourier transforms

I am looking for some sufficient conditions for an even, continuous, nonnegative, non-increasing, non-convex function to be non-negative definite. In other words $$ \int_0^\infty f(x)\cos(x\omega) \, ...
Tanya Vladi's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
2k views

Implicit function theorem at a singular point?

Let $F:\mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be three times continuously differentiable in some open neighborhood $\mathcal{U}$ of $(0,0)$. Suppose that $F(0,0) = F_x(0,0) = F_y(0,0) = F_{xy}(0,0) = 0$ ...
dettonville's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
898 views

Converse to Banach’s fixed point theorem for ordered fields?

Suppose $R$ is an ordered field. Call a continuous map $f: R \rightarrow R$ a contraction if there exists $r < 1$ (in $R$) such that $|f(x)-f(y)| \leq r |x-y|$ for all $x,y \in R$ (where $|x| := \...
James Propp's user avatar
  • 19.7k
12 votes
1 answer
448 views

An interesting inequality

Let $\mathbb{R}$ be the real field. For any homogeneous polynomial $f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ in $\mathbb{R}[X_1,\cdots,X_n]$, we use $S_f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ to denote the following homogeneous symmetric ...
user173856's user avatar
  • 1,997
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Counterexamples to differentiation under integral sign, revisited

Let $f\colon\mathbb R^2\to\mathbb R$ be a measurable function such that \begin{equation*} F(t):=\int_{\mathbb R}dx\,f(t,x) \end{equation*} exists and is finite for all real $t$. Suppose that \...
Iosif Pinelis's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
927 views

On an Inequality of Lars Hörmander

Let $P(z)$ be a non-null complex polynomial in $\nu$ variables $z=(z_1,\dots,z_n)$ of degree $\mu$: \begin{equation} P(z)=\sum_{|\alpha| \leq \mu} c_{\alpha} z^{\alpha}, \end{equation} where as usual ...
Maurizio Barbato's user avatar
12 votes
5 answers
2k views

analysis over non-Archimedean ordered fields

Can anyone suggest any good references for (or any experts on) analysis over non-Archimedean ordered fields, such as the field of rational functions in one variable (ordered at 0, or if you prefer at ...
James Propp's user avatar
  • 19.7k
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Proof of Green's formula for rectifiable Jordan curves

$\newcommand{\Ga}{\Gamma}$ I am trying to find a proof of Green's formula for rectifiable Jordan curves $\Ga$ (and the corresponding interior regions $R$). There is a proof by Ridder, followed by ...
Iosif Pinelis's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
352 views

A problem involving the Error Function

I am looking at the following function on the domain $x\geq 0$: $$F(x)=(x+a)e^{x^2}(1-\mathrm{erf}(x))-\frac{b}{\sqrt\pi},$$ where $a>0$, $0<b<1$ are parameters. From plotting this function ...
Jackie Lu's user avatar
  • 389
12 votes
1 answer
858 views

Is this function concave?

Let $$h(u):=u^3 \left|\int_u^\infty \frac{e^{-i t}}{t^3} \, dt\right|$$ for $u>0$. Is the function $h$ concave on $(0,\infty)$? (For context, see Proposition 4.4.4 and formula (4.4.21) in this ...
Iosif Pinelis's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Low-degree polynomial approximation of the piecewise-linear function $x \mapsto \max(x, 0)$ on an interval $x \in [-R,R]$

For $R > 0$, consider the piecewise-linear function $\sigma_R: [-R,R] \rightarrow \mathbb R^+$, defined by $\sigma_R(x) := \max(x,0)$. Question Given $\epsilon> 0$, find a "low-degree" ...
dohmatob's user avatar
  • 6,853

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