Question about extentions of smooth functions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the extension of smooth functions defined on an open subset of R^n to the entire space R^n. Participants explore conditions under which such extensions exist, particularly focusing on functions in C^\infty and their behavior at the boundary of the domain.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant poses a question about whether a smooth function f defined on an open set U can be extended to a smooth function g on R^n that agrees with f on U.
  • Another participant suggests testing the case where n=1, providing an example function and questioning the possibility of extension in that scenario.
  • A third participant proposes adding hypotheses regarding the behavior of f at the boundary of U, specifically concerning the existence of limits of derivatives, and asks if an extension g can be found under these new conditions.
  • One participant suggests a method involving reflecting the function f and using a bump function to achieve the extension, contingent on U being a nice ball.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions necessary for extending smooth functions, with no consensus reached on the general case or the modified problem presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the need for additional hypotheses regarding the behavior of functions at the boundary for potential extensions, as well as the implications of the range of the functions involved.

Aleph-0
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My question is simple :

Suppose that [tex]f[/tex] is in [tex]C^\infty(U, [0,1])[/tex] where [tex]U[/tex] is an open of [tex]R^n[/tex] .
Is there [tex]g[/tex] in [tex]C^\infty(R^n,[0,1])[/tex] such that [tex]f=g[/tex] on [tex]U[/tex] ?

I would say yes, but I don't know how to prove it.

Thanks
 
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Did you try it for the special case n=1?

Take for example U=(0,1) and f:U->[0,1] defined by f(x)=x.

This satisfies your conditions, can you extend it to a C^\infty function on R...?

I'd say no but the proof is left to you. :smile:

If you were to replace [0,1] by [itex]\mathbb{R}[/itex], then I'd be with you that the assertion should hold true.
 
Last edited:
OK, I guess I should add some hypothesis on f and change the conclusion in order to have something that could be true:

Here is the new problem :

Let [tex]\epsilon>0[/tex].
Suppose that [tex]f[/tex] is in [tex]C^\infty(U, [0,1])[/tex] where [tex]U[/tex] is an open of [tex]R^n[/tex] and suppose that for any [tex]x_0[/tex] in [tex]\partial U[/tex] (the boundary of U), and any n-multi-indice [tex]\alpha[/tex], the limit

[tex] \lim_{x\in U, x\to x_0} \partial^\alpha f (x) [/tex]

exists and is in [tex]R[/tex].


Is there [tex]g[/tex] in [tex]C^\infty(R^n,[-\epsilon, 1+\epsilon])[/tex] such that [tex]f=g[/tex] on [tex]U[/tex] ?
 
i would try reflecting f to the other side of the ball U, then using that to extend f a little bit, then chopping f off by a smooth bump function.

at least if U is a nice ball.
 

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