Question on proof of completness of space of all complex valued functions

In summary, in the proof of showing that the vector space of all complex valued functions with the norm |f|_u = sup(|f(x)|) over all x in the domain is complete, the step involving the lim inf is a result of a general inequality and the fact that the Cauchy sequence of functions converges to a limit in the complete space of complex numbers.
  • #1
oblixps
38
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in the proof of showing that the vector space of all complex valued functions with the norm [tex] |f|_u = sup(|f(x)|) [/tex] over all x in the domain is complete, there was a step that was confusing:

let [tex] {f_n} [/tex] be a Cauchy sequence in the normed space Z. We know that [tex] |f_n(x) - f_m(x)| \leq |f_n - f_m|_u [/tex]. So [tex] {f_{n}(x)} [/tex] is a Cauchy sequence in [tex] \mathbb{C} [/tex] which is complete so f_n(x) converges to f(x) for every x. Letting n approach infinite on both sides of the inequality, we get [tex] |f(x) - f_n(x)| \leq lim \inf |f_n - f_m|_u [/tex].

my question is where did that lim inf come from?
 
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  • #2
oblixps said:
in the proof of showing that the vector space of all complex valued functions with the norm [tex] |f|_u = sup(|f(x)|) [/tex] over all x in the domain is complete, there was a step that was confusing:

let [tex] {f_n} [/tex] be a Cauchy sequence in the normed space Z. We know that [tex] |f_n(x) - f_m(x)| \leq |f_n - f_m|_u [/tex]. So [tex] {f_{n}(x)} [/tex] is a Cauchy sequence in [tex] \mathbb{C} [/tex] which is complete so f_n(x) converges to f(x) for every x. Letting n approach infinite on both sides of the inequality, we get [tex] |f(x) - f_n(x)| \leq lim \inf |f_n - f_m|_u [/tex].

my question is where did that lim inf come from?
In general, if $a_n\leqslant b_n$ and $a_n\to a$, then $a\leqslant \liminf b_n$. In fact, given $\varepsilon>0$ there exists $N$ such that $|a_n-a|<\varepsilon$ whenever $n\geqslant N.$ But there exists $m>N$ such that $b_m < \liminf b_n + \varepsilon$. For that value of $m$, $$ a < a_m+\varepsilon \leqslant b_m+\varepsilon < \liminf b_n +2\varepsilon.$$ Since $\varepsilon$ is arbitrary, it follows that $a\leqslant \liminf b_n$.
 

1. What is the space of all complex valued functions?

The space of all complex valued functions, denoted as C(X), is a set of all functions defined on a given set X, where the range of the functions is the set of complex numbers. This space includes all possible continuous, differentiable, and analytic functions.

2. How is the completeness of C(X) proven?

The completeness of C(X) is proven using the Cauchy criterion, which states that a sequence of functions in C(X) converges if and only if the sequence is uniformly Cauchy. This means that for any ε > 0, there exists an N such that for all n, m > N, the distance between the nth and mth functions is less than ε.

3. What does it mean for C(X) to be complete?

A complete space is one in which all Cauchy sequences converge to a limit that is also in the space. In the context of C(X), this means that any sequence of functions that approaches a limit will also be a function in C(X). In other words, there are no "gaps" or missing functions in C(X).

4. Can you provide an example of a non-complete space of complex valued functions?

Yes, the space of all continuous functions on a bounded interval (e.g. [0,1]) is an example of a non-complete space of complex valued functions. This is because there exist sequences of continuous functions that converge to a non-continuous function, which does not belong in the space.

5. Why is the completeness of C(X) important?

The completeness of C(X) is important because it allows us to guarantee the existence of solutions to certain types of problems. For example, if we are solving a differential equation with initial conditions, we can be confident that a continuous solution exists in C(X). Additionally, the completeness of C(X) allows us to use powerful tools such as the Banach fixed-point theorem in the study of complex valued functions.

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