Does the limit of $||f||_p$ equal $||f||_{\infty}$ as $p$ approaches infinity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the norm $||f||_p$ as $p$ approaches infinity, specifically questioning whether it equals $||f||_{\infty}$ in a space with measure 1. Participants explore the theoretical implications and mathematical reasoning behind this limit, including the definitions of essential supremum and measure.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that to show $\lim_{p \rightarrow \infty} ||f||_p = ||f||_{\infty}$, one must demonstrate that $||f||_{\infty}$ is the supremum.
  • There is a proposal that if $||f||_{\infty} - \epsilon$ is assumed to be the supremum, then $m(\{|f| > ||f||_{\infty} - \epsilon\})$ must be shown to be greater than 0.
  • Participants discuss the implications of the essential supremum definition, suggesting that if $||f||_{\infty} - \epsilon$ is not an essential upper bound, then the measure of the set $A$ must be positive.
  • One participant indicates that by taking the limit as $p$ approaches infinity, one can derive that $||f||_{\infty} - \epsilon < \lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p \leq ||f||_{\infty}$.
  • Another participant confirms that the reasoning presented is valid and leads to the conclusion that $\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p = ||f||_{\infty}$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While some participants express agreement with the reasoning and conclusions drawn, there are also questions raised about the assumptions made regarding the supremum and the implications of the essential supremum definition. The discussion reflects both agreement on certain points and ongoing questions about the details of the argument.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of the essential supremum in determining the measure of the set where the function exceeds a certain threshold, indicating that the discussion is contingent on the definitions and properties of measurable functions.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

In a space with measure $1$, $||f||_p$ is an increasing function with respect of $p$. To show that $\lim_{p \rightarrow \infty} ||f||_p=||f||_{\infty}$ we have to show that $||f||_{\infty}$ is the supremum, right??

To show that, we assume that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum.

From the esential supremum we have that $m(\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\})=0$.

So, we have to show that $m(\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\})>0$.

Let $A=\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\}$.

We have that $\int_A |f|^p \leq \int |f|^p \leq ||f||_{\infty}^p$.

$\int_A |f|^p >\int_A (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p=(||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p m(A)$

So, $m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<||f||_p \leq ||f||_{\infty}$

Taking the limit $p \rightarrow +\infty$ we have the following:$$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p $$

Since we have supposed that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum, is the limit of $||f||_p$ equal to $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$?? (Wondering)

So, is it as followed??

$$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon $$

(Wondering)

How can we get a contradiction?? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Hey! :o

In a space with measure $1$, $||f||_p$ is an increasing function with respect of $p$. To show that $\lim_{p \rightarrow \infty} ||f||_p=||f||_{\infty}$ we have to show that $||f||_{\infty}$ is the supremum, right??

To show that, we assume that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum.

From the esential supremum we have that $m(\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\})=0$.

So, we have to show that $m(\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\})>0$.

Let $A=\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\}$.

We have that $\int_A |f|^p \leq \int |f|^p \leq ||f||_{\infty}^p$.

$\int_A |f|^p >\int_A (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p=(||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p m(A)$

So, $m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<||f||_p \leq ||f||_{\infty}$

Taking the limit $p \rightarrow +\infty$ we have the following:$$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p $$

Since we have supposed that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum, is the limit of $||f||_p$ equal to $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$?? (Wondering)

So, is it as followed??

$$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon $$

(Wondering)

How can we get a contradiction?? (Wondering)
Your proof is going in the right direction. But instead of treating it as a proof by contradiction, just choose $\epsilon>0$. It follows from the definition of $\|f\|_\infty$ as an essential supremum that your set $A$ must have positive measure: $m(A) > 0.$

You have shown that $\|f\|_p^p = \int_A |f|^p \geqslant\int_A (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p=(||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p m(A)$. When you take the $p$th root of that, you get $\|f\|_p \geqslant m(A)^{1/p}(||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon).$ By choosing $p$ large enough, you can get $m(A)^{1/p}$ as close as you like to $1$. Since $\epsilon$ could be made arbitrarily small it follows that by taking $p$ large enough you can get $\|f\|_p$ as close as you like to $\|f\|_\infty.$
 
Opalg said:
Your proof is going in the right direction. But instead of treating it as a proof by contradiction, just choose $\epsilon>0$. It follows from the definition of $\|f\|_\infty$ as an essential supremum that your set $A$ must have positive measure: $m(A) > 0.$

Haven't we supposed that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum?? (Wondering)

Why does it follow from the definition of $\|f\|_\infty$ as an essential supremum that the set $A$ must have positive measure: $m(A) > 0.$ ?? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Haven't we supposed that $||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon$ is the supremum?? (Wondering)

Why does it follow from the definition of $\|f\|_\infty$ as an essential supremum that the set $A$ must have positive measure: $m(A) > 0.$ ?? (Wondering)
I think you need to look a bit more closely at the definition of $\|\,f\|_\infty$. Remember that when dealing with measurable functions we ignore anything that happens on a null set. So $\|\,f\|_\infty$ is not the least upper bound of $|\,f|$, but the least essential upper bound. This means that $|\,f|$ can take values larger than $\|\,f\|_\infty$, but only on a null set. However, if you take any number less than $\|\,f\|_\infty$ (for example $\|\,f\|_\infty - \epsilon$) then it is not an essential upper bound. This means that the set of points where $|\,f|$ takes values greater than $\|\,f\|_\infty - \epsilon$ is not a null set and must therefore have measure greater than $0$. That is the reason why $m(A)>0$.
 
So, is it as followed??

We have that $0<||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon<||f||_{\infty}$ for some $\epsilon>0$.

$||f||_{\infty}$ is the essential supremum. So, from the definition we have that $m\left ( \{|f(x)>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\} \right )>0$.

Let $A=\{|f|>||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon\}$.

We have that $\int_A |f|^p \leq \int |f|^p \leq ||f||_{\infty}^p$.

$\int_A |f|^p >\int_A (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p=(||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)^p m(A)$

So, $m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<||f||_p \leq ||f||_{\infty}$

Taking the limit $p \rightarrow +\infty$ we have the following:

$$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p} (||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon)<\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p \overset{ m(A)>0 \Rightarrow \lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty}m(A)^{1/p}=1}{\Longrightarrow} \\ ||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon<\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p$$

So, we have that $$||f||_{\infty}-\epsilon<\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p \leq ||f||_{\infty}$$

Since $\epsilon$ is arbitrarily, it follows that $$\lim_{p \rightarrow +\infty} ||f||_p = ||f||_{\infty}$$

Is this correct?? (Wondering)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes, that looks good. (Sun)
 
Opalg said:
Yes, that looks good. (Sun)

Great! Thank you very much! (Yes)
 

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