All Questions
5,934 questions
22
votes
2
answers
848
views
Do equal integrals of $1/(1+x^a)$ imply equal measure?
Suppose $\mu$ and $\nu$ are two probability measures on $[0,1]$ with the property that $\int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{1+x^a} ~d\mu(x) = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{1+x^a} ~d\nu(x)$ holds for every exponent $a > ...
- 765
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 ...
- 1,209
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 ...
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 $...
- 1,889
21
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Approximate intermediate value theorem in pure constructive mathematics
The ordinary intermediate value theorem (IVT) is not provable in constructive mathematics. To show this, one can construct a Brouwerian "weak counterexample" and also promote it to a precise ...
- 66.8k
21
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Prime ideals in the ring of germs of continuous functions
We all know that the ring of germs of continuous functions at a point on, say $\mathbb{R}$, has a unique maximal ideal- namely, those functions that vanish at that point.
Can anyone think of a single ...
- 13.5k
21
votes
1
answer
1k
views
If $f:R^n \to R$ is a smooth real-valued function such that $\nabla f : R^n \to R^n$ is a diffeomorphism, what can one conclude about the behavior of $f(x)$ at infinity?
This question may seem peculiar, so let me preface it by saying that it arose while I was trying to understand Legendre transformations better, and in that context it is fairly natural. Anyway, ...
- 15.3k
21
votes
1
answer
1k
views
(update) Is there always a real $x$ such that $\cos n_1 x + \cos n_2 x + \cos n_3 x < -2$?
Problem: Given three positive integers $0 < n_1 < n_2 < n_3$ such that
$$n_1 + n_2 \ne n_3, \quad n_2 \ne 2n_1, \quad n_3 \ne 2n_1, \quad n_3 \ne 2n_2,$$
is there always a real number $x$ ...
- 1,053
21
votes
3
answers
610
views
Which partitions of $[0,1]$ are collection of level sets of a real continuous function?
Let $f:[0,1]\to[0,1]$ be given. The level sets of $f$ (ie the collection of all sets of the form $\{x\in[0,1]:f(x)=y\}$, for each fixed $y\in[0,1]$) partition the domain of $f$. I am curious for set ...
- 1,014
21
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What is the set of all "pseudo-rational" numbers (see details)?
Define a “pseudo-rational” number to be a real number $q$ that can be written as
$q=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{P(n)}{Q(n)}$
Where $P(x)$ and $Q(x)$ are fixed integer polynomials (independent of n). ...
- 311
21
votes
2
answers
924
views
Codimension of Measurable Sets
I am currently teaching an advanced undergraduate analysis class, and the following question came up.
Intuition suggests that "most" subsets of $[0,1]$ are not Lebesgue measurable. However, the ...
- 8,493
21
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Felix Klein on mean value theorem and infinitesimals
This is a reference request prompted by some intriguing comments made by Felix Klein.
In 1908, Felix Klein formulated a criterion of what it would take for a theory of infinitesimals to be ...
- 16.6k
21
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Density of polynomials in $C^k(\overline\Omega)$
Let $\Omega$ be an open and bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$ and let $C^k(\Omega)$, $1\leq k<\infty$, be the space of functions $f$ with continuous derivatives of order $\leq k$ in $\Omega$, ...
- 4,034
21
votes
2
answers
981
views
What is the optimal speed to approach a red light?
Suppose from distance $d$, while driving at speed $v_0$, I notice that there's a red traffic light in front of me. Suppose that there are no other vehicles, my vehicle has perfect brakes, my maximum ...
- 18.7k
21
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Does summing divergent series using cutoff functions give consistent results?
One way to try to give a value $S$ to a divergent series $\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n$ is with a smooth cutoff function:
$$
S = \lim_{N\to\infty}\sum_{n=1}^\infty a_n \eta\left(\frac{n}{N}\right)
$$
where $\...
- 313
21
votes
1
answer
840
views
Relative null-ness
Here, "measure" always means Lebesgue measure on $\mathbb{R}$. This question is partly motivated by my answer https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1444498/is-there-a-categorizaiton-system-for-null-...
- 21.1k
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}(\...
- 19.6k
21
votes
0
answers
658
views
A multiple integral
Let us consider the multiple integral
$$I_{n}=\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }ds_{1}\int_{-\infty}^{s_{1}}ds_{2}\cdots
\int_{-\infty }^{s_{2n-1}}ds_{2n}\;\cos {(s_{1}^{2}-s_{2}^{2})}\;\cdots
\cos {(s_{2n-1}...
- 16.5k
21
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Almost everywhere differentiability for a class of functions on $\mathbb{R}^2$
A while ago, I came across the following problem, which I was not able to resolve one way or the other.
Let $f,g\colon\mathbb{R}^2\to\mathbb{R}$ be continuous functions such that $f(t,x)$ and $g(t,...
- 17.1k
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Is $1/F$ Schwartz if $F$ is "reverse Schwartz"?
Let's call a positive function $F:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ "reverse Schwartz" if $F$ is smooth and
$$\forall n \forall k,\quad\lim_{x\to\infty}\frac{|x|^n}{|\partial_x^k F(x)|}=0\quad .$$
In ...
- 23.3k
20
votes
1
answer
754
views
Minimum value of $|p(1)|^2+|p(2)|^2 +...+ |p(n+3)|^2$ over all monic polynomials $p$
Let $n$ be a positive integer. Determine the smallest possible value of $|p(1)|^2+|p(2)|^2 +...+ |p(n+3)|^2$ over all monic polynomials $p$ of degree $n$.
This question was proposed (problem A.611)
...
- 3,153
20
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Propositions equivalent to the completeness of the real numbers
Can anyone point me to a reasonably comprehensive article (or book chapter) explaining which basic theorems of calculus are equivalent to the completeness axiom of the reals and which ones aren't?
...
- 19.7k
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Convergence of convex functions
I can prove the following result.
Theorem 1. Let $f_n:\mathbb{R}^n\to \mathbb{R}$ be a sequence of convex functions
that converges almost everywhere to a function $f:\mathbb{R}^n\to\mathbb{R}$.
Then ...
- 28k
20
votes
3
answers
1k
views
mixing convex and concave for convexity
Let $n\in\mathbb{N}$ and $0<x<1$ be a real number. Is the following a convex function of $x$?
$$G_n(x)=\log\left(\frac{(1+x^{4n+1})(1+x^{4n-1})(1+x^{2n})(1-x^{2n+1})}{(1+x^{2n+1})(1-x^{2n+2})}\...
- 43.2k
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
a determinantal identity
Dusan Pokorny and Jan Rataj have just posted a paper (http://arxiv.org/abs/1209.2305) in which they prove the identity
$$
\det (A-B) = \frac 1{d!} \sum_{k=0}^d (-1)^k \binom dk \det((d-k)A + kB)
$$
...
- 340
20
votes
1
answer
807
views
Is every function $f: \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ differentiable at at least one point when restricted to some everywhere dense subset of $\mathbb R$?
I was doing some fairly simple research a few hours ago and I almost asked a similar question with the word continuous instead of differentiable in the title, but then I found this question asked by ...
user153451
20
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How rich is the richest person in a society satisfying the Pareto principle?
The Pareto Principle roughly states that in many societies, the top 20% of people hold over 80% of the wealth. Suppose we had a society that satisfied this principle in every stratum of society - how ...
- 6,155
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 ...
- 61.9k
20
votes
1
answer
518
views
Concept associated to the Eudoxus reals
I am aware of three different constructions of the field of real numbers :
The Cauchy sequence construction : in this case, we see the field $\mathbb{Q}$ as a metric space and $\mathbb{R}$ is the ...
- 201
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Do convex and decreasing functions preserve the semimartingale property?
Some time ago I spent a lot of effort trying to show that the semimartingale property is preserved by certain functions. Specifically, that a convex function of a semimartingale and decreasing ...
- 17.1k
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Find $Y\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{Z})$ such that all eigenvalues of $YX$ are nonnegative
I saw this problem some years ago and I would greatly appreciate any reference or solution.
Let $X \in \operatorname{M}_n ( \mathbb{R} )$. Prove that there is $Y \in \operatorname{M}_n ( \mathbb{Z} )$...
- 3,153
20
votes
0
answers
634
views
Is $\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{n!}{n^n}$ rational?
Is $\displaystyle \sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{n!}{n^n}$ rational?
This question has been posted in MSE for two years without an answer. A094082 seems to suggest that it is not rational. Is it still an ...
user14319
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
- 4,074
19
votes
4
answers
12k
views
How did Bernoulli prove L'Hôpital's rule?
To prove L'Hôpital's rule, the standard method is to use use Cauchy's Mean Value Theorem (and note that once you have Cauchy's MVT, you don't need an $\epsilon$-$\delta$ definition of limit to ...
- 4,254
19
votes
3
answers
1k
views
functions from Q to itself with derivative zero
Let $f: {\bf Q} \rightarrow {\bf Q}$ be a "${\bf Q}$-differentiable" function whose "${\bf Q}$-derivative" is constantly zero; that is, for all $x \in {\bf Q}$ and all $\epsilon > 0$ in ${\bf Q}$, ...
- 19.7k
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
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 \...
- 30.1k
19
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Pathological behavior of Borel sets?
Usually in set theory, Borel sets are much more nicely behaved than arbitrary sets of reals. One reason for this is Borel determinacy, which immediately yields measurability, Baireness, and the ...
- 21.1k
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 ...
- 356
19
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is there a Cantor set $C$ in $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ so the graph of every continuous function $[0,1]\rightarrow [0,1]$ intersects $C$?
Consider the Cantor ternary set on the real line with the usual topology and define a Cantor set to be any topological space $C$ homeomorphic to the Cantor ternary set.
The idea is to construct a ...
- 2,136
19
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Constants for Rolle's Theorem applied to polynomials
Rolle's Theorem states that $f(1/2)=f(-1/2)+f'(x)$ has a root in the open real
interval $(-1/2,1/2)$ if $f$ is continuous and differentiable. How large can the absolute value of such a root
$\xi$
be ...
- 17.9k
19
votes
1
answer
556
views
Can an injective $f: \Bbb{R}^m \to \Bbb{R}^n$ have a closed graph for $m>n$?
Question. Suppose $m>n$ are positive integers. Is there a one-to-one $f: \Bbb{R}^m \to \Bbb{R}^n$ such that the graph $\Gamma_f$ of $f$ is closed in $\Bbb{R}^{m+n}$?
Remark 1. The answer to the ...
- 17.7k
19
votes
1
answer
691
views
What is the groupoid cardinality of the category of vector spaces over a finite field?
For any groupoid, it's groupoid cardinality is the sum of the reciprocals of the automorphism groups over the isomorphism classes. Let us consider the category of vector spaces over a finite field $\...
- 7,746
19
votes
2
answers
949
views
Etymology of “real numbers"
I would like to know why the real numbers are called “the real numbers.” I would also like to know the meaning of “real” in the phrase “real number.”
Further questions and clarifications:
I’d like to ...
- 319
19
votes
0
answers
775
views
A Linear Order from AP Calculus
In teaching my calculus students about limits and function domination, we ran into the class of functions
$$\Theta=\{x^\alpha (\ln{x})^\beta\}_{(\alpha,\beta)\in\mathbb{R}^2}$$
Suppose we say that $...
- 433
18
votes
3
answers
3k
views
A curious sin-integral
While contending with a certain Fourier series, I stumbled on an incredibly simple evaluation (numerically) of a slightly complicated-looking sin-integral.
So, I wish ask:
Question. Is this really ...
- 43.2k
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
18
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Bernoulli sum meets golden number
Let $B_n$ denote the Bernoulli numbers and let $\phi=\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}2$ be the golden ratio.
I encountered the following infinite sum and would like to ask:
Question. Is this true? If so, any ...
- 43.2k
18
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is there an analytic non-linear function that maps rational numbers to rational numbers and it maps irrational numbers to irrational numbers?
Consider a function $h$ defined on real numbers, which is not of the form $kx+b$ i.e. a linear function. If $h$ maps rational numbers to rational numbers and it maps irrational numbers to irrational ...
- 303
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is a matrix similar to its transpose over $\mathbb{Z}_p$?
Is every $n \times n$ matrix with entries in $\mathbb{Z}_p$ (or even $\mathbb{Z}$) conjugate to its transpose via a matrix in $GL_n(\mathbb{Z}_p)$?
On the one hand, I know the analogous fact is false ...
- 2,242