Can You Explicitly Construct a Hahn Banach Extension?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Hahn-Banach theorem, which asserts that every bounded linear functional on a subspace M of a normed linear space X can be extended to a linear functional F on all of X while preserving the same norm. The proof of this theorem is non-constructive, relying on Zorn's lemma. An example is provided using the space L of all bounded infinite sequences with the sup norm, where M consists of sequences converging to a finite limit. The challenge presented is the explicit construction of a bounded linear functional that meets specific criteria related to sequence limits and sums.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Hahn-Banach theorem
  • Familiarity with bounded linear functionals
  • Knowledge of normed linear spaces
  • Concept of sup norm in functional analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore explicit constructions of bounded linear functionals in normed spaces
  • Study Zorn's lemma and its applications in functional analysis
  • Investigate examples of bounded linear functionals on infinite-dimensional spaces
  • Learn about the implications of the Hahn-Banach theorem in various mathematical contexts
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, particularly those specializing in functional analysis, students studying advanced calculus, and anyone interested in the applications of the Hahn-Banach theorem in theoretical contexts.

StatusX
Homework Helper
Messages
2,570
Reaction score
2
I'm trying to understand the Hahn Banach theorem, that every bounded linear functional f on some subspace M of a normed linear space X can be extended to a linear functional F on all of X with the same norm, and which agrees with f on M. But the proof is non-constructive, using zorn's lemma.

So I'm trying to come up with examples so I can understand it better. For example, let L be the space of all bounded infinite sequences with the sup norm, and let M be the subspace of L consisting of those sequences that converge to some finite limit. Then, on this subspace, the functional given by taking the limit of a sequence is clearly linear and bounded. So it must extend to a bounded linear functional on all of L. But I can't imagine what such a functional would look like. Is it possible to explicitly construct one?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The functional would have to have the following properties:

1. Any two sequences whose difference converges to zero must get the same value (eg, if f(1,0,1,0,...)=a then f(1/2,1/2,2/3,1/3,3/4,1/4,...)=a).

2. If the sum of two sequence converges to some limit, the sum of the values for each sequence equals the limit of their sum. (eg, if f(1,0,1,0,...)=a, then f(0,1,0,1,...)=1-a).

But what is, say, a? Can it be anything?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
726
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K