Has the existence of Hilbert Space been proven 100%?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of Hilbert spaces, exploring whether they are proven entities or merely theoretical constructs. Participants examine the mathematical nature of Hilbert spaces, their applications in various models, particularly in quantum mechanics, and the implications of their definitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that Hilbert spaces are mathematical concepts that exist similarly to sets or vectors.
  • Others argue that while Hilbert spaces are useful in certain models, their existence may depend on the context in which they are applied, similar to negative numbers.
  • A few participants emphasize that there are many examples of Hilbert spaces, suggesting that the question should focus on specific spaces of interest.
  • Some contributions clarify that Hilbert spaces are often defined as infinite-dimensional analogs of n-dimensional Euclidean spaces.
  • One participant mentions that the real numbers and the complex plane qualify as Hilbert spaces, though this may hinge on definitions.
  • Several posts reference external sources to elaborate on the mathematical definitions and properties of Hilbert spaces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that Hilbert spaces are mathematical constructs with numerous examples, but there is no consensus on whether their existence is absolute or contingent on definitions and contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on definitions of Hilbert spaces and the varying interpretations of their existence in different mathematical frameworks.

KarminValso1724
Messages
25
Reaction score
1
Or is it only theoretical.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
KarminValso1724 said:
Or is it only theoretical.
Hilbert space is a mathematical concept. It exists the same way that sets exist, or vectors, or the number line.

(This also might be a good time for you to learn what the word "theoretical" means. It does not mean "not proven", "speculative", "something we aren't yet sure about")
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: martinbn, bhobba and jim mcnamara
Its part of some models like negative numbers are part of some models. You can't have a negative number of ducks but if you owe someone some ducks it can be modeled as a negative number. Same with complex numbers. You can't have a complex electric current but for sinusoidal currents you can model it using complex numbers and much of the math simplifies if you do that.

Hilbert spaces are like that - useful in some models particularly QM.

Thanks
Bill
 
There are a great many examples of Hilbert spaces. They do exist. You might want to ask if a particular space you are interested in is a Hilbert space.
 
FactChecker said:
There are a great many examples of Hilbert spaces. They do exist. You might want to ask if a particular space you are interested in is a Hilbert space.
Hilbert space is a purely mathematical concept, generalized Euclidean space. Much of quantum theory uses Hilbert space as part of the development.
 
mathman said:
Hilbert space is a purely mathematical concept, generalized Euclidean space. Much of quantum theory uses Hilbert space as part of the development.
Yes. Hilbert spaces are more the rule than the exception in spaces that we study. There are examples everywhere. The only reasonable question is whether a particular unusual space is a Hilbert space. So the OP should specify what space he is asking about.
 
KarminValso1724 said:
Or is it only theoretical.
The real numbers and the complex plane are both Hilbert spaces.
 
Zafa Pi said:
The real numbers and the complex plane are both Hilbert spaces.
Although it might simply be a matter of definition, but Hilbert space is usually defined as an infinite dimensional analog of n dimensional Euclidean space.
 
mathman said:
Although it might simply be a matter of definition, but Hilbert space is usually defined as an infinite dimensional analog of n dimensional Euclidean space.
The opening post asked if a Hilbert Space exist so I gave the simplest ones, and BTW:

Wikipedia
The mathematical concept of a Hilbert space, named after David Hilbert, generalizes the notion of Euclidean space. It extends the methods of vector algebra and calculus from the two-dimensional Euclidean plane and three-dimensional space to spaces with any finite or infinite number of dimensions.
Complete - ‎Tensor product of Hilbert spaces - ‎Category:Hilbert space

Hilbert Space -- from Wolfram MathWorld
mathworld.wolfram.com › ... › Mathematical HumorMathWorld
by EW Weisstein - ‎2004 - ‎Cited by 3 - ‎Related articles
A Hilbert space is a vector space with an inner product such that the norm defined by. turns into a complete metric space. If the metric defined by the norm is not complete, then is instead known as an inner product space. Examples of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces include.

[PDF]Hilbert Spaces - UC Davis Mathematics
https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/.../ch6.pdfUniversity of California, Davis
Definition 6.2 A Hilbert space is a complete inner product space. In particular, every Hilbert space is a Banach space with respect to the norm in. (6.1). Example ...

Hilbert spaces | Quantiki
https://quantiki.org/wiki/hilbert-spacesQuantiki
In mathematics, a '''Hilbert space''' is an inner product space that is complete with respect to the norm defined by the inner product. Hilbert spaces serve to clarify ...
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
706
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K