All Questions
715 questions
12
votes
4
answers
831
views
Relating the roots of polynomials to the solution sets of certain functional equations
Consider a functional equation of the following form:
$$\sum_{k=0}^n a_k\,\underbrace{f(f(\cdots f}_{k}(x)\cdots )=0\quad \big(f:\,\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R},\;a_i\in \mathbb{R},\;\text{and}\;f^0=\text{...
- 453
12
votes
1
answer
352
views
A problem involving the Error Function
I am looking at the following function on the domain $x\geq 0$:
$$F(x)=(x+a)e^{x^2}(1-\mathrm{erf}(x))-\frac{b}{\sqrt\pi},$$
where $a>0$, $0<b<1$ are parameters. From plotting this function ...
- 389
12
votes
1
answer
898
views
Converse to Banach’s fixed point theorem for ordered fields?
Suppose $R$ is an ordered field. Call a continuous map $f: R \rightarrow R$ a contraction if there exists $r < 1$ (in $R$) such that $|f(x)-f(y)| \leq r |x-y|$ for all $x,y \in R$ (where $|x| := \...
- 19.7k
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Implicit function theorem at a singular point?
Let $F:\mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be three times continuously differentiable in some open neighborhood $\mathcal{U}$ of $(0,0)$. Suppose that $F(0,0) = F_x(0,0) = F_y(0,0) = F_{xy}(0,0) = 0$ ...
- 123
12
votes
1
answer
927
views
On an Inequality of Lars Hörmander
Let $P(z)$ be a non-null complex polynomial in $\nu$ variables $z=(z_1,\dots,z_n)$ of degree $\mu$:
\begin{equation}
P(z)=\sum_{|\alpha| \leq \mu} c_{\alpha} z^{\alpha},
\end{equation}
where as usual ...
- 640
12
votes
1
answer
448
views
An interesting inequality
Let $\mathbb{R}$ be the real field. For any homogeneous polynomial $f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ in $\mathbb{R}[X_1,\cdots,X_n]$, we use $S_f(X_1,\cdots,X_n)$ to denote the following homogeneous symmetric ...
- 1,997
11
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Almost-converses to the AM-GM inequality
Let us consider the Arithmetic Mean -- Geometric Mean inequality for nonnegative real numbers:
$$ GM := (a_1 a_2 \ldots a_n)^{1/n} \le \frac{1}{n} \left( a_1 + a_2 + \ldots + a_n \right) =: AM. $$
...
- 531
11
votes
0
answers
320
views
Constructing an infinite chain of subsets of 'hyper' algebraic numbers?
This question is cross posted from MSE.
Let $F$ be a subset of $\mathbb{R}$ and let $S_F$ denote the set of values which satisfy some generalized polynomial whose exponents and coefficients are ...
- 211
11
votes
1
answer
3k
views
A sum of two binomial random variables
Let $p\in(0,1)$, $n$ a positive even integer, $k,l\in\{0,\dots,n\}$, and $X_k\sim \text{Binomial}(k,p)$, $Y_{n-k}\sim \text{Binomial}(n-k,1-p)$ independent random variables. I would like to prove that
...
- 947
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Converse of mean value theorem almost everywhere?
Let $f: \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ be a $C^1$ function.
We say a point $c \in \mathbb R$ is a mean value point of $f$ if there exists an open interval $(a,b)$ containing $c$ such that $f’(c) = \frac{f(b)...
- 6,195
11
votes
2
answers
8k
views
About the Fourier transform of the logarithm function
I want to calculate / simplify:
$$\mathcal{F} (\ln(|x|)\mathcal{F(f)}(x))=\mathcal{F} (\ln(|x|)) \star f$$
where $\mathcal{F}$ is the Fourier transform ($\mathcal[f](\xi)=\int_{\mathbb R}f(x)e^{ix\...
- 1,199
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Proof of the "Neo-classical Inequality", a fractional extension of the binomial theorem
I came across the following inequality, dubbed the "Neoclassical Inequality" which holds uniformly in $p\geq 1$ and $n\in\mathbb N$:
$$\frac{1}{p^2}\sum_{j=0}^n\frac{a^{\frac{j}p}b^{\frac{n-j}p}}{\...
- 4,952
11
votes
1
answer
430
views
Cantor set intersecting a geometric sequence
I was working on a problem involving finding all points in the intersection of the Cantor set $C$ and the geometric sequence $\{ (2/3)^i \}_{i=1}^\infty$. The only points I have in this intersection ...
- 113
11
votes
1
answer
676
views
Entropy arguments used by Jean Bourgain
My question comes from understanding a probabilistic inequality in Bourgain's paper on Erdős simiarilty problem: Construction of sets of positive measure not containing an affine image of a given ...
- 196
11
votes
4
answers
4k
views
When is the infimum of an arbitrary family of measurable functions also measurable?
Let $(X,\Sigma,\mu)$ be a measure space and consider a family of $\mu$-measurable functions $f_i:X \to \mathbb{R}$ for $i$ lying in some index set $I$. Define $$f(x) = \inf_{i \in I} f_i(x)$$
I think ...
- 15.5k
11
votes
2
answers
425
views
Maximization of a cubic form over the $14$-dimensional sphere
For any integers $i$ and $j$ such as $1\le i<j\le6$, let $x_{ij}$ be a nonnegative real number.
Is it true that, given the condition
$$\sum_{1\le i<j\le6}x_{ij}^2=1,$$
the sum
$$\sum_{1\le i<...
- 128k
11
votes
1
answer
436
views
How many numbers $\le x$ can be factorized into three numbers which form the sides of a triangle?
Note: Posting in MO since it was unanswered in MSE
Definition: We say that a natural number $n$ has triangular divisors if it has at least one triplet of divisors $n = d_1d_2d_3, 1 \le d_1 \le d_2 \...
- 5,470
11
votes
1
answer
704
views
Examples of Baire Class $\xi+1$ but not $\xi$ functions for each countable ordinal $\xi.$
We say that $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ is of Baire Class $1$ if it is a pointwise limit of a sequence of continuous functions.
One can generalize the definition above by taking pointwise limit of ...
- 623
10
votes
1
answer
872
views
Current vs Varifold
I know the basic definitions concerning current and varifold, and they are generalization of submanifolds. What are their respective pros and cons? What are their crucial similarities and differences?
- 1,630
10
votes
1
answer
817
views
Can a nowhere locally Hölder function be differentiable almost everywhere?
Fix $0 < \alpha < 1$. Suppose $f$ is nowhere locally $\alpha$-Hölder continuous - that is, it is not $\alpha$-Hölder on any open subinterval of $\mathbb R$. Is it possible for $f$ to be ...
- 6,195
10
votes
2
answers
766
views
When polynomial f(x^2) can be factored as g(x)·g(-x) ?
In relation to my question Expression for the sum of square roots of zeros of a polynomial
How to characterize polynomials $f(x)$ with rational coefficients such that $f(x^2)=g(x)\cdot g(-x)$ where $...
- 34.3k
10
votes
1
answer
379
views
Does a monotone subadditive $f: \mathcal{P}(\bf N)\to [0,1]$ admit a finite partition with values in $(0,1)$?
A function $f\colon \mathcal{P}(\mathbf{N})\to [0,1]$ is said to have the Darboux property whenever for all $X \subseteq \mathbf{N}$ and $y \in [0,f(X)]$, there exists $Y \subseteq X$ such that $f(Y)=...
- 1,511
10
votes
1
answer
385
views
When is this multiple integral finite?
Consider the following integral:
$$
I_k(\alpha)=\int_{[0,1]^k}|x_1-x_2|^{\alpha}|x_2-x_3|^{\alpha}\ldots|x_{k-1}-x_k|^{\alpha}|x_k-x_1|^{\alpha}d\mathbf{x}.
$$
where $k=2,3,4,\ldots$
The question is ...
- 87
10
votes
1
answer
594
views
Are the polynomials in $\{1/t\}$ dense in $L^2(0,1)$?
Added. My question in the title was solved (in the negative) by Nik Weaver (in the answer below) and Mateusz Kwaśnicki (in the comments). In both solutions, the reason is that the $L^2$ density fails ...
- 13.8k
10
votes
1
answer
539
views
Is $Q_n(x)=\sigma_{n+1}(x)/\sigma_n(x)$ logarithmically convex on $\mathbf{R}$?
In 1975 J. van de Lune considered the monotony properties of the canonical Riemann Upper and Lower sums for $\int_0^1 t^xdt$, with $x>0$.
Writing $\sigma_n(x) := 1^x+2^x+\cdots+n^x$ these sums are
...
- 7,024
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
On equibounded sequences in $L^\infty$
Let $f_n: [0, 1] \to \mathbb R$ be a sequence of positive functions in $L^\infty$ (hence a fortiori in $L^1$) that are equibounded in $L^\infty$ norm - that is $\sup_{n \in \mathbb N} \|f_n\|_{L_\...
- 6,195
10
votes
1
answer
900
views
Approximation of a compactly supported function by Gaussians
Let $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ be a smooth function whose support is a closed interval, e.g. $\text{supp}(f)=[a,b]$. Then $f$ can be approximated (e.g. in $L^2$) by a linear combination of Gaussian ...
- 710
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can the integration of integrable sections of a measurable function of two variables ever result in a non-measurable function?
I spent some time searching MathOverflow for a problem that would resemble the one given below, but it turned out to be a rather futile endeavor. I was led to this problem in my attempts to construct ...
- 1,396
10
votes
0
answers
172
views
Maximizing an integral w.r.t. a measure on the unit sphere
I would like to know if the answer to the following question is known.
Let $d \ge 3$. What is the value of
$$
\theta(d) := \max_{\mu} \int_{S^{d-1}} \int_{S^{d-1}} \cdots \int_{S^{d-1}} |x_1 \...
- 980
10
votes
2
answers
9k
views
When do maximum and expectation commute?
Hi, I'm looking for conditions on $G(t,x)$ such that
$$
\sup\limits_{t\in [0,1]}E[G(t,X)]=E[\sup\limits_{t\in [0,1]}G(t,X)]
$$
where $X$ is a random variable (it's easy to see that $\sup\limits_{t\in [...
- 111
10
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Counting norms on an infinite dimensional vector space
It is known that whenever E is a finite dimensional real vector space, there is only one norm on E up to equivalence (actually one non discrete vector space topology).
Is it known what happens when E ...
- 101
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does Rolle's Theorem imply Dedekind completeness?
I think the answer to the title question is "yes", but Gerald Edgar, in his comment on Does antidifferentiability of continuous functions imply Dedekind completeness? , points out an article (actually ...
- 19.7k
10
votes
1
answer
699
views
Reference request: Riesz potential $I_\alpha : L^{d/\alpha} \to \rm{BMO}$?
Let us denote the Riesz potential in $\mathbb R^d$ by
$$
I_\alpha (f)(x) := c_{d, \alpha} \int_{\mathbb R^d} \frac{f(y)}{|x-y|^{d-\alpha}}
\, dy.$$
By the classical Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev theorem ...
- 632
10
votes
2
answers
666
views
Reference request: Extensions of Wiener's Tauberian Theorem
Wiener's Tauberian Theorem says that linear combinations of translations of a function $f$ are dense in $L^1(\mathbb{R})$ if and only if the zero set of the Fourier transform of $f$ is empty. This is ...
- 710
10
votes
2
answers
597
views
How to determine the asymptotics of $\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} e^{-\frac{2^n}{x}}$
I'm generally interested in being able to find an asymptotic expansion of
$$ \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \left[ e^{- \frac{f(n)}{x}} \right] $$
As $x \rightarrow \infty$ and $f(n)$ is a smooth monotonically ...
- 2,689
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Within ZFC, is $2^{\aleph_0}<2^{\aleph_1}$ provable/independent?
So, I ask whether from the ZFC axioms one can prove X that every uncountable set has strictly more than continuum many subsets, or whether X is independent of the ZFC axioms. Note that (within ZFC) ...
- 3,584
9
votes
1
answer
359
views
Relaxation of notion of positive definite function
A function $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ is called positive definite (in the semigroup sense) if for all $n\geq 1$ and $x_1,\ldots,x_n\in\mathbb{R}$ pairwise different the matrix $(f(x_i+x_j))_{i,j=1}^n$...
- 3,031
9
votes
2
answers
791
views
Asymptotic difference between a function and its "binomial average"
(I posted this question on Math.SE a few weeks ago. I got a few comments, but nothing definite, and so I thought I would try MO.)
The origin of this question is the identity
$$\sum_{k=0}^n \binom{n}{...
- 3,283
9
votes
0
answers
569
views
A standard name for a function satisfying the intermediate value theorem?
Do you know any (standard) name for a function $f:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R$ having the following weak intermediate value property:
$(*)$ for any connected subset $C\subset \mathbb R$ and points $a,b\...
- 41.8k
9
votes
3
answers
934
views
local behavior of a finite Borel measure
Let $\mu$ be a finite Borel measure on $\mathbb{R}^n$. I am interested in how does $\mu(B(x,r))$ behave, where $B(x,r)$ is the open ball of radius $r$ centered at $x$. For instance, as far as I recall,...
- 1,839
9
votes
2
answers
653
views
Is $\mathbb{Q}$ the orbit of a rational function under iteration?
In this previous post I asked for the smallest set of continuous real functions that could generate $\mathbb Q$ by iteration starting from $0$. Surprisingly one continuous function suffices.
In the ...
- 4,862
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Stokes theorem with corners
I've found the following version of Stokes' theorem in G. Stolzenberg's lecture notes 19:
Notation:
for $1 \le n \le m$
$\Lambda(m, n) = \{ \lambda: \{1,...,n\} \rightarrow \{1,...,m\} \ | \ \...
- 103
9
votes
1
answer
451
views
Improper integral $\int_0^1 \frac{\exp(ctx)}{\sqrt{(\exp(bt)-1)(1-\exp(atx))-(1-\exp(at))(\exp(btx)-1)}} dx$ with $-a$ and $b$ positive
Is the following function real analytic in $t>0$:
$$F(t)=\int_0^1\frac{\exp(ctx)}{\sqrt{(\exp(bt)-1)(1-\exp(atx))-(1-\exp(at))(\exp(btx)-1)}} dx,$$
where $-a$ and $b$ are positive, and $c\not=a$?
...
- 353
9
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How may I find all continuous and bounded functions g with the following property?
Find all continuous and bounded functions $g$
with :
$$\forall x \in \mathbb R, 4g(x)=g(x+1)+g(x-1)+g(x+\pi)+g(x-\pi).$$
I have posted this question here, but received no answer.
- 4,074
9
votes
3
answers
657
views
Degree necessary of a polynomial?
Given $-1<a<b<0$, I want to find a polynomial $f(x)\in\Bbb R[x]$ such that $f(x)\in[a,b]$ at every $x\in[b^2,a^2]$ and $f(0)=0$. What is minimum degree that is needed and maximum degree that ...
- 13.9k
9
votes
1
answer
845
views
Convergence of sequences formed by orthocenters, incenters, and centroids in repeated triangle constructions
I asked this question on MSE here.
Given a scalene triangle $A_1B_1C_1$ , construct a triangle $A_{n+1}B_{n+1}C_{n+1}$ from the triangle $A_nB_nC_n$ where $A_{n+1}$ is the orthocenter of $A_nB_nC_n$, ...
- 541
9
votes
1
answer
499
views
Subspaces of $L^2(0,1)$ dense on every truncation $L^2(c,1)$
It may be better to move this to a separate question.
Let me call a linear subspace $V \subset L^2(0,1)$ to be tame if, for every linear subspace $W \subset V$, either $W$ is dense in $L^2(0,1)$, or ...
- 13.8k
9
votes
2
answers
758
views
Number of critical points of smooth functions on $S^1$
Let $u$ be a smooth function on the unit circle $S^1$ such that $\int_{S^1}ux_j=0$, for $j=1,2$. Is the number of critical points of $u$ strictly bigger than 2?
9
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is every finite Borel measure on a locally compact Hausdorff, $\sigma$-compact and separable space automatically regular?
The conditions stated in the question seem mouthful and a bit arbitrary, so let me provide some backgrounds.
Definition
Let $\mu$ be a Borel measure on a topological space. We say:
$\...
- 83
9
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Can the supremum of continuous functions be discontinuous on a set of positive measure? [closed]
Given a sequence of continuous functions $f_n(x)$, all defined on a compact set $D$ and assuming $f_n(x)$ is uniformly bounded. Let $f(x) = sup_n f_n(x)$.
It is clear that $f(x)$ is not necessarily ...
- 93