Ascoli's theorem: A subspace F of C(X,R^n)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around Ascoli's theorem and its implications for sequences of functions in the space C(X, R^n). Participants explore the conditions under which a sequence of functions has a uniformly convergent subsequence, particularly focusing on the corollary of the theorem regarding pointwise boundedness and equicontinuity.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Ascoli's theorem states a subspace F of C(X, R^n) has compact closure if and only if F is equicontinuous and pointwise bounded.
  • One participant explains that in a metric space, a compact subset guarantees that any sequence within it has a convergent subsequence, suggesting this applies to the space of functions for uniform convergence.
  • Another participant challenges the previous claim by questioning the assumption that the sequence itself is compact, noting that while the closure is compact, the sequence may not be.
  • One participant proposes that the subspace F is generated by the functions in the sequence, indicating that since the functions are in F, they are also in the closure of F, thus having a convergent subsequence.
  • A participant reflects on their misunderstanding regarding the nature of compactness in relation to sequences and expresses gratitude for the clarification provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between the compactness of the closure and the convergence of the sequence itself. There is no consensus reached regarding the implications of the theorem and the corollary.

Contextual Notes

There is an unresolved discussion about the definitions of compactness in relation to sequences and the implications of the closure being compact versus the sequence itself.

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I just read Ascoli's theorem: A subspace F of C(X,R^n) has compact closure if and only if F is equicontinuous and pointwise bounded.

Then it says, As a corollary: If the collection {fn} of functions in C(X,R^k) is pointwise bounded and equicontinuous, then the sequence (fn) has a uniformly convergent subsequence.

Can anybody tell me why the corollary follows from the theorem?
 
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in a metric space, when you have a compact subset A, then any sequence in A has a convergent subsequence. Now apply this to the appropriate metric space of functions, so that convergence in the metric is uniform convergence of functions.
 


Thanks Edgar,
The problem I see with your reply is that here the closure of the sequence is compact (by Ascoli's theorem), so as you say, this closure has a convergent subsequence. But we don't know that the sequence itself is compact, so how do we know that it has a convergent subsequence?
 


I think that here, we are taking F as the subspace generated by the f_n's. Then F has compact closure. Now, the f_n are in F and so in particular, they are in the closure of F. Therefor the sequence {f_n} has a convergent subsequence (in C(X,R^k)).

AFAIK, it does not make sense to say that a sequence is compact.
 


Of course! how could I miss that? ohh, I know.
For some reason, instead of thinking that every sequence of a compact metric space has a convergent subsequence, I was thinking: every compact metric space has a convergent subsequence. I guess I was very tired.

Thank you for clarifying.
 

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