A working example wrt the supremum norm

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a working example of a sequence of functions that converges to a function with respect to the supremum norm. Participants explore various examples and properties of convergence, including uniform convergence and comparisons with integral norms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the sequence of functions \( f_n(x) = \sum_{k=0}^n \frac{x^k}{k!} \), which converges to \( f(x) = e^x \) uniformly on bounded sets.
  • Another participant questions whether this sequence converges to the same function with respect to the integral norm.
  • A participant confirms that the convergence to the integral norm also holds, suggesting it is an exercise to show this.
  • Another example is presented where \( f_n(x) = x^n \) on the interval \([0,a]\) for \( 0 < a < 1 \), noting that \( \|f_n - 0\| \rightarrow 0 \), but this fails if \( a = 1 \).
  • A participant introduces Dini's theorem, stating conditions under which pointwise convergence implies uniform convergence, using the previous example as a case study.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of convergence in different norms, with one participant expressing confusion about the convergence of a function to zero instead of another function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the examples provided, with some agreeing on the validity of the examples while others raise questions about the conditions under which convergence occurs. No consensus is reached regarding the implications of the examples in relation to different norms.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of the conditions under which convergence is discussed, such as the choice of the interval and the nature of the functions involved. There are unresolved questions about the behavior of functions at specific points, particularly at the boundaries of the intervals.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and researchers interested in functional analysis, particularly those exploring concepts of convergence in different norms and the implications of Dini's theorem.

bugatti79
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Folks,

Could anyone give me a working example of a sequence of functions that converges to a function wrt to the supremum norm?

Thank you.
 
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Depends on what you mean with "working example". A nice example is probably

f_n(x)=\sum_{k=0}^n{\frac{x^k}{k!}}.

This converges to f(x)=e^x. This convergence is uniform on each bounded set.
 
micromass said:
Depends on what you mean with "working example". A nice example is probably

f_n(x)=\sum_{k=0}^n{\frac{x^k}{k!}}.

This converges to f(x)=e^x. This convergence is uniform on each bounded set.

Would this converge to the same function wrt to the integral norm?
 
Yes. It is actually a nice exercise to show that it does. In fact, it suffices in this case to show that

\int_a^b|f_n|\rightarrow \int_a^b |f|
 
Pick a number a with ##0 < a < 1##. Let ##f_n(x) = x^n\hbox{ on }[0,a]##. Then ##\|f_n - 0\|\rightarrow 0##. Note that this fails if ##a=1##.
 
LCKurtz' example is a really nice one! It is nice to notice that it can be generalized into what is known as Dini's theorem:

If (X,d) is a compact metric space and if f_n:X\rightarrow \mathbb{R} are a sequence of functions such that
- They are monotonically decreasing/increasing
- They pointswize converge to a function f
- f is continuous
then the convergence is uniform.

It is one of the few cases where pointsiwize convergence implies uniform convergence.

LCKurtz' example follows with X=[0,a] (with 0<a<1), f_n(x)=x^n and f(x)=0. It is a nice exercise to see what goes wrong in the theorem if a=1.
 
micromass said:
Depends on what you mean with "working example". A nice example is probably

f_n(x)=\sum_{k=0}^n{\frac{x^k}{k!}}.

This converges to f(x)=e^x. This convergence is uniform on each bounded set.

bugatti79 said:
Would this converge to the same function wrt to the integral norm?

Would it be something like this...


\displaystyle ||f_n(x)||_1=\int_{a}^{b}| \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{x^k}{k!}|dx for c[a,b]
 
LCKurtz said:
Pick a number a with ##0 < a < 1##. Let ##f_n(x) = x^n\hbox{ on }[0,a]##. Then ##\|f_n - 0\|\rightarrow 0##. Note that this fails if ##a=1##.

Hmmm..but regarding post 3 ie a function f_n the converges to the same function f on both sup and integral norms...this function does not converge to a function but to zero...?

micromass said:
LCKurtz' example is a really nice one! It is nice to notice that it can be generalized into what is known as Dini's theorem:

If (X,d) is a compact metric space and if f_n:X\rightarrow \mathbb{R} are a sequence of functions such that
- They are monotonically decreasing/increasing
- They pointswize converge to a function f
- f is continuous
then the convergence is uniform.

It is one of the few cases where pointsiwize convergence implies uniform convergence.

LCKurtz' example follows with X=[0,a] (with 0<a<1), f_n(x)=x^n and f(x)=0. It is a nice exercise to see what goes wrong in the theorem if a=1.
 

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