Convergence in L^2 but not pointwise almost everywhere: An example

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around examples of closed and bounded but not compact subsets in complete metric spaces, as well as sequences of functions that converge in L^2 but not pointwise almost everywhere.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore examples of complete metric spaces containing bounded but not totally bounded closed sets, questioning the implications for compactness.
  • There is a focus on understanding convergence in the L^2 norm and the conditions under which it differs from pointwise convergence.
  • One participant suggests a sequence of characteristic functions as a potential example of convergence in L^2 without pointwise convergence.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing thoughts and examples. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of convergence in L^2 and the characteristics of the metric space being considered. Multiple interpretations and examples are being explored without a clear consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the depth of examples and explanations provided. There is an ongoing examination of definitions and properties related to metric spaces and convergence.

math8
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What would be an example (or c/ex)of a closed and bounded but not compact subset C of a complete metric space and why?

What would be an example of a sequence of functions which converges in L^2([0,1]), but which does not converge pointwise almost everywhere?
 
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1. Can you find an example complete metric space that contains a bounded but not totally bounded closed set? Why will this help?

2. Think about this: how does convergence in the L^2 norm work?
 
*I can only think about the metric space ([0,1],d*) where d* is the discrete metric. [0,1] is bounded but not totally bounded.
I know [0,1] is closed but I'm not sure if ([0,1],d*) is complete. (I know a space is complete if every Cauchy sequence in there converges).
I guess since a metric space is compact iff it is complete and totally bounded., we get that [0,1] is closed and bounded, but since it is not totally bounded, it cannot be compact.

*I think (fn) converges to f in L^2([0,1]) if lim as n tends to infinity of integral of |fn-f|^2 dm is 0.
My problem is that I cannot think of a not really complicated example.
 
math8 said:
*I can only think about the metric space ([0,1],d*) where d* is the discrete metric. [0,1] is bounded but not totally bounded.
I know [0,1] is closed but I'm not sure if ([0,1],d*) is complete. (I know a space is complete if every Cauchy sequence in there converges).
I guess since a metric space is compact iff it is complete and totally bounded., we get that [0,1] is closed and bounded, but since it is not totally bounded, it cannot be compact.
Yup.

*I think (fn) converges to f in L^2([0,1]) if lim as n tends to infinity of integral of |fn-f|^2 dm is 0.
My problem is that I cannot think of a not really complicated example.
We can come up with a simple example where f_n -> 0 in L^2[0,1] but f_n doesn't converge pointwise anywhere. Here's how: let f_1 = characteristic function of [0,1/2], f_2 = characteristic function of [1/2,1], f_3 = characteristic function of [0,1/3], f_4 = characteristic function of [1/3,2/3], f_5 = characteristic function of [2/3,1], and so on. I'll let you check that this does the job.
 
Last edited:
Thanks morphism it really helps.
 

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