Contraction, integral, maximum norm

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of a function defined on the space of continuous functions, specifically examining whether it is a contraction mapping under the maximum norm. The function is expressed in terms of an integral involving another function, and participants are exploring the implications of the Banach fixed-point theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definition of the function and its implications for contraction mapping. There are attempts to estimate integrals and clarify the relationship between the functions involved. Questions arise about the integration process and the properties of the maximum norm.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided guidance on estimating integrals and applying inequalities. There is an ongoing exploration of the fixed point of the function, with some participants suggesting potential forms for the fixed point function based on their findings.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the constraints of the problem, including the specific interval for the variable t and the nature of the functions involved. There is recognition of the need for further exploration of inequalities and properties of integrals in the context of the problem.

JulienB
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Homework Statement



Hi everybody! Here is another problem about contraction and Banach fixed-point theorem that I don't get:

The function ƒ: C([0,½]) → C([0,½]) is defined by:
<br /> [f(x)](t) := 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds ∀ t∈[0,\frac{1}{2}].<br />

Is ƒ a contraction with respect to the norm || ⋅ ||? If yes, which function is the fixed point of ƒ?

Homework Equations



Contraction mapping theorem, Banach fixed-point theorem

The Attempt at a Solution



Well I could not really get anywhere, because I don't understand really the definition of the function. Here is what I would do anyway:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} = \mbox{max } | 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds - 1 - \int_{0}^{t} y(s) ds | \\<br /> = \mbox{max } | \int_{0}^{t} x(s) - y(s) ds |<br />

Then I have no idea how to integrate that since x is a function of s... What is the primitive of x(s)? Also not sure if I did the right thing in the first place as well! Some help would be very appreciated. :)

Thank you in advance for your answers.Julien.
 
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JulienB said:

Homework Statement



Hi everybody! Here is another problem about contraction and Banach fixed-point theorem that I don't get:

The function ƒ: C([0,½]) → C([0,½]) is defined by:
<br /> [f(x)](t) := 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds ∀ t∈[0,\frac{1}{2}].<br />

Is ƒ a contraction with respect to the norm || ⋅ ||? If yes, which function is the fixed point of ƒ?

Homework Equations



Contraction mapping theorem, Banach fixed-point theorem

The Attempt at a Solution



Well I could not really get anywhere, because I don't understand really the definition of the function. Here is what I would do anyway:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} = \mbox{max } | 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds - 1 - \int_{0}^{t} y(s) ds | \\<br /> = \mbox{max } | \int_{0}^{t} x(s) - y(s) ds |<br />

Then I have no idea how to integrate that since x is a function of s... What is the primitive of x(s)? Also not sure if I did the right thing in the first place as well! Some help would be very appreciated. :)

Thank you in advance for your answers.Julien.
Looks OK so far. Do some overestimating. How big can that integral be?
 
LCKurtz said:
Looks OK so far. Do some overestimating. How big can that integral be?

@LCKurtz Hi and thanks for your answer. I have no idea, really. How should I do some estimation of this integral?Julien.
 
Well, you know you can't actually perform the integration. But remember from calculus$$
\left | \int_a^b f(x)~dx \right | \le \int_a^b |f(x)|~dx$$and other properties of integration. And that integrand looks like it might be useful calculating ##\| \cdot \|_\infty##.
 
@LCKurtz Thank you again for your answer. So I would have:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} ≤ max \cdot \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) | ds<br />

and

<br /> || x - y ||_{\infty} = max | x(t) - y(t) |<br />

Right? Mm I still don't see how to compare them, the only thing I know is that t is between 0 and 1 and ƒ is continuous between 0 and 1. I'm also not sure about my || x - y ||. Shouldn't it be || x(t) - y(t) || or something?

Maybe I just don't know the inequalities of calculus well enough, I'm going to take a close look at them during the next days.Julien.
 
JulienB said:
@LCKurtz Thank you again for your answer. So I would have:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} ≤ max \cdot \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) | ds<br />

and

<br /> || x(s) - y(s) ||_{\infty} = max | x(t) - y(t) |<br />

Right? Mm I still don't see how to compare them, the only thing I know is that t is between 0 and 1 and ƒ is continuous between 0 and 1. Maybe I just don't know the inequalities of calculus well enough, I'm going to take a close look at them during the next days.Julien.

You know more about ##t## than it is in ##[0,1]##, and it matters.
 
@LCKurtz Yes indeed it is between 0 and ½. Is that what you meant?

PS: I edited my last post while you were writing I believe, sorry for that.
 
Yes. Now you are close. You just need to continue a couple more inequalities to get your overestimate. It might be easier to see you way through these inequalities if you start with$$
| [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t)| = | 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds - 1 - \int_{0}^{t} y(s) ds |
= | \int_{0}^{t} x(s) - y(s) ds |$$and don't worry about taking the max until you are done overestimating.
 
Last edited:
@LCKurtz What about that:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} ≤ max \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) | ds ≤ (t - 0) \cdot max |x(s) - y(s)| \\<br />

Since t is between 0 and ½, ƒ is a contraction. The inequality comes from: if ƒ is bounded on [0,t] and integrable then | ƒ | is integrable and:

<br /> \frac{1}{t - 0} \int_{0}^{t} | f(x) | dx ≤ max | f(x) |<br />

Is that a valid proof? Thx a lot for your help.Julien.
 
  • #10
LCKurtz said:
Yes. Now you are close. You just need to continue a couple more inequalities to get your overestimate.
JulienB said:
@LCKurtz What about that:

<br /> || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} ≤ max \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) | ds ≤ (t - 0) \cdot max |x(s) - y(s)| \\<br />

Since t is between 0 and ½, ƒ is a contraction. The inequality comes from: if ƒ is bounded on [0,t] and integrable then | ƒ | is integrable and:

<br /> \frac{1}{t - 0} \int_{0}^{t} | f(x) | dx ≤ max | f(x) |<br />

Is that a valid proof? Thx a lot for your help.Julien.
I think that is a bit sketchy, especially with ##t##'s in your answer. I had edited my previous post while you posted this. You might want to look at my previous post again.
 
  • #11
@LCKurtz Okay I'm not sure that's exactly what you had in mind but I give it another go:

<br /> | [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) | = | 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds - 1 - \int_{0}^{t} y(s) ds | = | \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) ds | \\<br /> ≤ \int_{0}^{t} | x(s) - y(s) | ds \\<br /> ≤ \int_{0}^{\frac{1}{2}} | x(s) - y(s) | ds \\<br /> ≤ \frac{1}{2} \cdot max | x(s) - y(s) | \\<br /> \implies || [f(x)](t) - [f(y)](t) ||_{\infty} ≤ \frac{1}{2} \cdot || x(s) - y(s) ||_{\infty} \\<br /> \implies \mbox{f is a contraction}<br />

Very similar to what I've done last post though..Julien.
 
  • #12
Yes, it is similar, but much clearer, leaving no doubt each step is correct. Good. I have to leave for a few hours now. When I return I will check and see how you are doing in finding the fixed point.
 
  • #13
@LCKurtz Thanks a lot for all this help, I appreciate it. I might search for the fixed point tomorrow as it is close to midnight here in Germany :)Julien.
 
  • #14
Okay i couldn't wait so I gave it a go, but then I get an integral equation, which is something I have never done before:

<br /> 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds = x(t)<br />

The only thing I got out of it is:

x(0) = 1

That's not much I know :D I'll sleep over it and go further tomorrow.Julien.
 
  • #15
Could it be that the fixed point function is et? I don't really know how to find it, but it seems to work:

<br /> 1 + \int_{0}^{t} e^s ds = 1 + e^t - e^0 = e^t<br />

Maybe I've misunderstood how to find the fixed point though, I'm not really sure.Julien.
 
  • #16
JulienB said:
Okay i couldn't wait so I gave it a go, but then I get an integral equation, which is something I have never done before:

<br /> 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds = x(t)<br />

The only thing I got out of it is:

x(0) = 1

That's not much I know :D I'll sleep over it and go further tomorrow.Julien.

JulienB said:
Could it be that the fixed point function is et? I don't really know how to find it, but it seems to work:

<br /> 1 + \int_{0}^{t} e^s ds = 1 + e^t - e^0 = e^t<br />

Maybe I've misunderstood how to find the fixed point though, I'm not really sure.Julien.

Yes, you have found the fixed point by inspection, but your equation in post #14$$
x(t)=1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds$$will lead you directly to it. Try differentiating both sides with respect to ##t## to change it from an integral equation to a differential equation and see if you can get it from there.
 
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  • #17
<br /> 1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds = x(t) \\<br /> \frac{d}{dt} (1 + \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds) = \frac{d}{dt} (x(t)) \\<br /> 0 + \frac{d}{dt} \int_{0}^{t} x(s) ds = \dot{x}(t) \\<br /> \mbox{According to the fundamental theorem of calculus: } \\<br /> x(t) = \dot{x}(t) \\<br /> \implies x_*(t) = e^t<br />

Pretty neat! Thx a lot @LCKurtz, I've learned a lot through this post! Note that x* is the notation my teacher uses for fixed point.

Julien.
 
  • #18
You're welcome. One tiny oversight, you would get ##x_*(t) = Ce^t##, but as you observed earlier, ##x_*(0) = 1##. You need that.
 
  • #19
@LCKurtz Thanks a lot, that makes sense!
 

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