Non separability of the Hlder Spaces

Cristian Valdez
, Moscow

Department of Applied Mathematics

Prof.

. .

The space Ck, HQL is not separable

The Hlder space of order k on a compact region Q of Rn is a subspace from Ck HQL.

However Ck HQL is separable, while the Hlder space is not. In this article we disccus and
show a noncountable set of functions that are separated by a constant. Someother results
appear on our way.

April 2015

The spaces of continuously differentiable functions

CHQL spaces
In the following we consider the space Rn with the usual topology, it means the topology generated by the union of bounded open balls. Let Q Rn be a region, i.e. open, connected and
bounded, and let f : Q R Hor CL. We say that the funtion f is continuos on Q iff for every
x Q and every open set V of f HQL containing f HxL, exists and open set U in Q such that
U f -1 HV L. This is equivalent to the - definition, and basically comes from the fact that the
balls BH f HxL, L R Hor CL is an open set in f HQL and the ball BHx, L Rn is an open set in Q.
Lets nota that in Rn al norms are equivalent, therefore if a funtion is continious on a norm it will
be continious in another norm.
Definition 0.1. C(Q) space.
Let Q R n be a region. CHQL is the set containing all the continuous funtions on Q.
This set has importat properties, but one of the most important property for us know is the fact
that CHQL is a vector space. In fact we know from real analysis that the set HCHQL, +, , RH or CLL
is a vector space. It is also a ring, in fact we know that the multiplication of continuous functions
define a continous funtions.

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

Lemma 0.2. The supremum norm on C(Q).

The funtion . CHQL : CHQL R defined as

f CHQL := sup f HxL

(1)

xQ

defines a norm on CHQL.

Proof 0.2. Trivially is positive defined. Now we know that f CHQL = 0 f HxL 0 " x Q
f HxL = 0 " x Q. Now the triangule inequality is a concequence of the properties of the
supremum, we know that f HxL + gHxL f HxL + f HxL, so in that case we have that
f + g CHQL f CHQL + g CHQL.
Theorem 0.3. CHQL is not a Banach space.

Proof 0.3. Consifer the set of funtions fn : H0, 1L R defined as fn HxL =

1
is
xn

well known that

these functions do not converge uniformly on H0, 1L. To extend that idear to Q Rn is picking a
1
xo Q and define fn HxL = Hx -x
o Ln , and similarly these functions do not converge uniformy on Q.
m

CHQL space
The closure of Q Rn is the smallest closed set in Rn that contains Q, i.e.,
Q = 8A closed in Rn : Q A< = Q Q. We know that Q is a region, then it is possible to
show that mesHQL = 0. In fact if we consdier Q = 8x Rn : dHQ, xL <, we know that Q is
closed and Q Q, hence mesHQ QL mesHQL, then mesHQL mesHQ\QL 0 when
0, therefore mesHQL = 0.

Definition 0.4. Let f : Q R Hor C L, let A be a open set containing Q, a continuous extension
of f on A is a continuous function F such that F : A R Hor C L, such that F Q = f , i.e.
FHxL = f HxL " x Q.
Definition 0.5. A funtion f : Q R Hor C L is continuous on Q if exists an extension F.
Example 0.5. Consider Q = H0, 1L R and consider the funtions
x x H0, 1L
x x H0, 1L
f HxL =
, gHxL = 1 x 1
0 x H0, 1L
0 x 0

It is obvious that f CHQL but f CHQL. If fact we can see that lim x1- f HxL f H1L. On the
other hand we can see that g CHQL.
Lemma 0.6. Suppose that f CHQL and Q C1 , if limxxo,xQ f HxL exists for every
xo Q then f CHQL.

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

Lemma 0.6. Suppose that f CHQL and Q C1 , if limxxo,xQ f HxL exists for every
xo Q then f CHQL.
Proof 0.6. For each xo we know that exists an yo such that lim xxo,xQ f HxL = yo . Since

Q C1 we know that we can find the tangent plane for each point xo Q, so we can build the
`
outside normal to Q, lets call it as the vector nxo . Define a new funtion over Rn as
FHxL =

f HxL , x Q
yo , xo Q
`
yo
, x 8x : x = nxo t + x0 , t > 0<

Trivially FHxL is continuous on Rn and it is a continuous extension of f . Then f CHQL.

Theorem 0.7. CHQL is a Banach space with the norm f CHQL := sup

f HxL

xQ

Proof 0.7. It is a simple consequence from the fact that the convergence is uniform since Q is
compact. Suppose 8 fn < CHQL is a fundamental succesion, i.e.
fn - fm CHQL 0 when n, m . Define f HxL := lim n fn HxL, this limit clearly exists because
R Hor CL are banach spaces and because the series of numbers fn HxL - fmHxL 0. Thus, we need
to demostrate that this new f belongs to CHQL. In fact, take any x Q, then
f HxL - f HyL = lim n fn HxL - fmHyL < , iff fn HxL - fmHyL < " n > NHL, and because each
fn CHQL, we have that this occurs only if x - y < , hence f CHQL. Therefore, we have
shown that CHQL is a banach space.
Theorem 0.8. (StoneWeierstrass theorem) CHQL is separable.
Proof 0.8. This proof is not simple, it can be found in [1] page 59.
0.4. C k HQL and C k HQL space

C k HQL and C k HQL space

Definition 0.9. Let f : Q R Hor C L and suppose that f CHQL, we say that f Ck HQL if
and only if f HiL exists and f HiL CHQL for every i = 1, k. If k = 0 then by definition
C0 HQL = CHQL. Hence we write Ck HQL = 9 f CHQL : $ f HiL CHQL " i = 1, k=.
For instance consider the function cosHxL CHH0, 1LL, it is easly check that for every k
cosHxL Ck HH0, 1LL. Since Ck HQL CHQL

Definition 0.10. We define C HQL as the intersection of all Ck HQL, i.e. C HQL = kN Ck HQL.

Similarly, we can define Ck HQL.

Definition 0.11. Let f : Q R Hor C L

and suppose that
HiL
C HQL = 9 f CHQL : $ f CHQL " i = 1, k=.
k

f CHQL, then

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

Definition 0.11. Let f : Q R Hor C L

and suppose that
HiL
C HQL = 9 f CHQL : $ f CHQL " i = 1, k=.

f CHQL, then

Definition 0.12. C HQL = kN Ck HQL.

Lemma 0.13. The supremum norm on Ck HQL.

The funtion . Ck HQL : Ck HQL R defined as

f Ck HQL := max sup D f HxL

(2)

k xQ

defines a norm on Ck HQL.

Theorem 0.13. Ck HQL is separable with the norm f Ck HQL := max sup
k xQ

D f HxL

Proof 0.13. Since Ck HQL CHQL and the StoneWeierstrass theorem we obtain the result.
Theorem 0.14. Ck HQL is Banach with the norm f Ck HQL := max sup
k xQ

D f HxL

Proof 0.14. Since Ck HQL CHQL and f CHQL f Ck HQL for every f Ck HQL. Suppose we

have a fundamental sequence 8 fn < Ck HQL, then exists an f CHQL such that fn f on CHQL.
We need to show that f Ck HQL, that is a natural consequence of the uniform convergence.

Remark. One important fact to mentions is that on Ck HQL can also be consider another norm,
the normed difined as
f Ck HQL := sup D f HxL
k xQ

(3)

However the norm (3) is equivalent to the norm (2). This fact is a consequence of the equivalence
of norms in finite dimension spaces, and as we can make a vector identification for any
f Ck HQL with Rr with r > k, as f sup D f HxL
xQ

. Then we can identify the norm on

C HQL as a norm in R , and therefore they will be equivalent. Therefore al theorems stated for the
norm H2L are also true for the norm H3L.
k

Hlder spaces
The Hlder spaces of order k, is the space of funcion from the space of k - differentiable
continuous funtions that are almost k + 1 differentiable and continuous. With the word almost,
we mean that every k + 1 - differentiable continuous funtion belongs to the Hlder space, but
not all k - differentiable continuous funtions do.

The Hlder spaces of order k, is the space of funcion from theNonspace

of kof separability
thedifferentiable
Hlder Spaces.nb
5
continuous funtions that are almost k + 1 differentiable and continuous. With the word almost,
we mean that every k + 1 - differentiable continuous funtion belongs to the Hlder space, but
not all k - differentiable continuous funtions do.
Definition 0.1. Hlder Space Ck, HQL

Let Q R n be a region, let

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

f Ck HQL, we say that f Ck, HQL iff

= @ f DCk, HQL < .

max sup
k x,yQ,x y

Thereore the Hlder space is a subsef of Ck HQL, such that the funtions are Hlder continuos, i.e.
exists a constant 0 C R such that
D f HyL - D f HxL C y - x , " x, y Q : x y

Lemma 0.2. The Hlder norm on Ck, HQL.

The funtion . Ck, HQL : Ck, HQL R defined as

f Ck, HQL := max sup D f HxL + max

k xQ

defines a norm on Ck, HQL.

sup

D f HyL - D f HxL

k x,yQ,xy

= f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQL

Proof 0.2.
(i) We have that by the definition that

y - x

(1)

f Ck, HQL 0. Suppose that

f Ck, HQL = f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQL = 0 f Ck HQL = 0 f = 0.

(ii)
Suppose
that
R
and
f Ck, HQL.
Then
f Ck, HQL = f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQL = I f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQLM = f Ck, HQL

(iii) Suppose f , g Ck, HQL, then f + g Ck, HQL = f + g Ck HQL + @ f + gDCk, HQL
f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQL + g Ck HQL + @gDCk, HQL = f Ck, HQL + g Ck, HQL
Theorem 0.3. Ck, HQL is Banach with the norm f Ck, HQL := f Ck HQL + @ f DCk, HQL.

Proof 0.3. Suppose 8 fn < Ck, HQL is a fundamente sequence. Hence

fn - fm Ck, HQL := fn - fm Ck HQL + @ fn - fmDCk, HQL < when n, m +. Since

fn - fm Ck HQL < and Ck HQL is Banach, then exists a function f Ck HQL, such that

f - fn Ck HQL 0 as n +. We need to prove that f Ck, HQL and that f - fn Ck, HQL 0
when n +.

Lets suppose that @ f DCk, HQL = +, i.e. for any constant M > 0 exists H, x, yL M , x y, such that
D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

> M . Hence D f HyL - D f HxL > M y - x . Since D fn D f (uniform

convergence) then, for any > 0 exists an NHL such that D f HzL - D fn HzL < " z Q, and
since fn Ck, HQL, then Mn = @ fn DCk, HQL < " n N. Therefore, if we make M = n, and =
D

1
n

and
since

D f HyL - D f HxL < D f HyL - D fn HyL + D fn HyL - D fn HxL + D fn HxL - D f HxL, we

obtain that 2n + Mn yHnL - xHnL > n yHnL - xHnL , since yHnL - xHnL < HdiaHQLL < . If we

Lets suppose that @ f DCk, HQL = +, i.e. for any constant M > 0 exists H, x, yL M , x y, such that
> M . Hence D f HyL - D f HxL > M y - x . Since D fn D f (uniform

f HxL of the Hlder Spaces.nb

6DNon
separability
f HyL-D

y-x

convergence) then, for any > 0 exists an NHL such that D f HzL - D fn HzL < " z Q, and
since fn Ck, HQL, then Mn = @ fn DCk, HQL < " n N. Therefore, if we make M = n, and =
D

1
n

and
since

D f HyL - D f HxL < D f HyL - D fn HyL + D fn HyL - D fn HxL + D fn HxL - D f HxL, we

obtain that 2n + Mn yHnL - xHnL > n yHnL - xHnL , since yHnL - xHnL < HdiaHQLL < . If we
make n , we obtain that Mn > n, wich is a contradiction because 8 fn < is a Cauchy sequence,
then it is bounded, i.e. exists N R such that N := sup 9@ fn DCk, HQL, n N= = supn 8Mn <, so if we
select n > N + 1, we obtain a contradiction. Therefore @ f DCk, HQL < , therefore f Ck, HQL. To

prove that f - fn Ck, HQL 0 when n +, is a consequence that for every , D fn D f .

They way f was selected, we have that that f - fn Ck HQL 0 , i.e. fn f , then
D fn HzL D f HzL " , " z Q, and as a result @ f - fn DCk, HQL 0, therefore
f - fn Ck, HQL 0. As a result Ck, HQL is a banach space.

We will now review another properties of the Hlder spaces.

Proposition 0.4. Ck @0, 1D Ck, @0, 1D " k N , " H0, 1L

Proof 0.4. Consider the function fk HxL = x +k Ck @0, 1D, such that < . If we select x = 0

and y = t > 0, then we know that @ f DCk, @0,1D >

= Iki=1 H + iLM . Since lim t0
-1

such that

1
-

tM

t -

Dk fk HyL-Dk fk HxL
y-x

t
t

,
t -

where

= , it means that for every M R+, exists a t M H0, 1D,

> M , therefore @ f DCk, @0,1D = , i.e. fk Ck, @0, 1D. Hence Ck @0, 1D Ck, @0, 1D.

Proposition 0.5. Let Ck, HQL be the Hlder space over Q. In general Ck HQL Ck, HQL
" k N , " H0, 1L
Proof 0.5. Since Q is closed and bounded. Consider xi be any coordinate. If we define

f : Q R, as f HxL = xi

+k

, such that < . As in preposition 2.4, we can show that

@ f DC0, HQL = , hence Ck HQL Ck, HQL.

Proposition 0.6. Suppose that f Ck HQL, then f Ck, HQL if and only if for every > 0 and

every x Q the if max sup

k

yOHx, L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

< .

Proof 0.6. Since f Ck HQL then for every k, D f BHQL, i.e.

$ M R : D f HxL M " x Q, " : k. Then if x, y Q : x - y = >> 0, then we
obtain that max sup
k

yOHx,L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

<

< . Then the problem for the Hlder continuity is

when x - y 0. Since our supposition is that max sup

k

yOHx,L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

< " > 0, we obtain

that we our function is locally Hlder continuous, therefore @ f DCk, HQL < , i.e. f Ck, HQL, this
proves the necessity. The sufficiency is a consequence of the definition.

Proof 0.6. Since f Ck HQL then for every k, D f BHQL, i.e.

$ M R : D f HxL M " x Q, " : k. Then if x, y Q : x - y = >> 0, then we
obtain that max sup
k

yOHx,L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

<

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

< . Then the problem for the Hlder continuity is

when x - y 0. Since our supposition is that max sup

k

yOHx,L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

< " > 0, we obtain

that we our function is locally Hlder continuous, therefore @ f DCk, HQL < , i.e. f Ck, HQL, this
proves the necessity. The sufficiency is a consequence of the definition.
The preposition 2.6 basically states that if for every x Q the limit lim yx

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

exists

for every : k, then f is Hlder continuous. That is why we define the concept of Hlder
continuity.
Proposition 0.7. Let Ck, HQL be the Hlder space over Q, then Ck+1 HQL Ck, HQL " k N ,
" H0, 1L

Proof 0.7. Let f Ck+1 HQL, for k. we can locally aproximate D f using the gradient as

D f HyL - D f HxL = J!D f HL,

y-x
N Hy
y-x

- xL,

where

@x, yD = 8 x + H1 - L y : @0, 1D<. This is possible since Q is an open region on Rn ,

hence there is a convex open set containing x and y. Therefore by proposition 2.6 we need to
check only the locally the boundness of
max sup
k

yOHx,L
o

D f HyL-D f HxL
y-x

yOHx,L
k,

f C

Let x Q and > 0, then

J!D f HL, y-x N Hy-xL

y-x

= max sup
k

yOHx,L
1-

< max sup !D f HL y - x

k

D f HyL-D f HxL
.
y-x

y-x

< M HL1- , where M := max sup !D f HL, i.e

k OHx,L

HQL. Hence Ck+1 HQL Ck, HQL.

Nonseparability of Hlder spaces

In this section we will construct a noncountable set of function on C0, @0, 1D such that the distance between them is bigger that a constant, therefore we will prove that C0, @0, 1D is not
separable.
Definition 0.1. A noncontable set of functions on C@0, 1D

Let , H0, 1L. We define f, : @0, 1D R in the following way:

f, HxL = Hx - L x - ,

where H L is the Heavy side function, i.e.

HxL =

0 x< 0
1 x0

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

HxL =

0 x< 0
1 x0

Preposition 0.2. For every , H0, 1L, f, C@0, 1D

Proof 0.2. Trivial, since

f, HxL = Hx - L x - =

0
x -

x<
,
x

therfore it is clearly continuous on @0, L and H, 1D, and since lim x f, HL = 0, f, C@0, 1D.
Preposition 0.2. Let H0, 1L, for every H0, 1L, then f, C0, @0, 1D

Proof 0.2. We know that f, is bounded, therefore we could use preposition 2.6 to check if
f, is Hlder Continuous. Between the intervals @0, L and H, 1D the function is smooth, by the
Lagrange theorem the result is obtained. Basically the demostration reduces to show that f, is
Hlder continuous in the point x = .
sup

yOH,L
o

f, HyL- f, HxL
y-x

= lim t0

f, H+tL- f, H-tL
2 t

1
2

< , therefore f, C0, @0, 1D.

Preposition 03. Let (0,1) for every different 1 , 2 H0, 1L, then. A f1, - f2, EC0, @0,1D 1

Proof 0.3. Since 1 2 , lets suppose that 1 < 2 , then exists a t H1 , 2 L, then
f2, H1 L = f2, H1 + tL = 0, therefore
A f1, - f2, EC0, @0,1D >

f1, H1 + tL - f1, H1 L - f2, H1 + tL + f2, H1 L

Theorem 0.4. C0, @0, 1D is not separable.

= 1.

Proof 0.3. If we suppose it is separable, i.e. exists a dense set A, if we take the balls of radio

1
2

around each f we will see that any of the balls interestcs between each other, then we will have a
contradicion since will be elements f that wont be close to an element from A. Therefore
C0, @0, 1D is not separale.
Definition 0.5. A noncontable set of functions on Ck @0, 1D

Let , H0, 1L. We define f, : @0, 1D R in the following way:

f, HxL = Hx - L x - ,

k
Define for k N f,
: @0, 1D R in the following way:

k
f,
HxL = 0 0 k-1 0 1 Ht1 - L t1 - t1 tk-1 tk =
x t

ki=1 H +i

k
Preposition 0.6. For every , H0, 1L and k N , f,
Ck @0, 1D

Proof 0.2. Trivial, since

Hx - L x - +k

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

k
f,
HxL =

ki=1 H

Hx - L x - +k

+iL

k
is clearly continuous on @0,1D and since since f,
HxL is defined as integral, clearly

for 0 j k.I with 0i=1 H + i L = 1M.

j
x j

k- j

k
f,
= f,

k
Preposition 0.7. Let H0, 1L, for every H0, 1L, then f,
Ck, @0, 1D

Proof 0.7. Since

j
x j

2.7 we know that

k
xk
k
f,

k
k
1
f,
= f, and for j < k x
j f, C @0, 1D, we know that by preposition
j

k- j

j
x j

k
k
f,
C0, @0, 1D, i.e. A x
and since
j f, EC0, @0,1D <
j

k
k
k
f,
= f, C0, @0, 1D, we have that max A x
j f, EC0, < , therfore A f, ECk, < , i.e.
j

@0, 1D

k,

Preposition 0.8. Let (0,1) for every different 1 , 2 H0, 1L, then. A fk1, - fk2, ECk, @0,1D 1
Proof 0.8. Since A fk1, - fk2, ECk, @0,1D B

k
xk

fk1, -

k
xk

fk1, F

C0,

= A f1, - f2, EC0, @0,1D 1. We

obtain the result.

Theorem 0.9. Ck, @0, 1D is not separable.

Theorem 0.10. Let Q R n be a bounded region, the Hlder space Ck, HQL is not separable.

Proof 0.10. Let Ei : Rn R the i - th projection, i.e. Ei HxL = xi . Let R be the Lesbegue measure on R, define the multivalued funtion j : PHMHRn LL R, such that for every A MHRn L
jHAL = J A RHJL RHBL " B A. Then j 8Ei HQL : 1 i n< = Em (note that Em is not
necesarly unique). For Hinf Em, sup EmL and H0, 1L define the function f, CHQL in the
following way:
k
and also define f,
HxL =

f, HxL = Hxm - L xm -

1
ki=1 H+i L

Hxm - L xm - +k . It can easy be proved that

k
f,
HxL Ck, HQL, and we similarty obtain that A fk1, - fk2, ECk, HQL 1. Therefore the Hlder

space Ck, HQL is not separable.

Proposition 0.11. The set Ck+1 @0, 1D is not dense on Ck, @0, 1D.
k
Proof 0.11. To show it, we will consider the funtion f,
HxL =

1
ki=1 H+i L

Hx - L x - +k . Let

g Ck+1 @0, 1D, by preposition 2.7 we know that g Ck, @0, 1D. Lets consider y = + t and
k
x = , such that + t < 1, then A f,
- gECk,

HtL t -IDk gH+tL-Dk gHLM

t
+

= HtL - Dk+1 gHL t1- ,

k
where H, + tL. Therefore when we make t 0 , we obtain that A f,
- gECk, 1, therefore

Ck+1 @0, 1D.

10

Non separability of the Hlder Spaces.nb

Proposition 0.12. The set C @0, 1D is not dense on Ck, @0, 1D.

Proof 0.12. C@0, 1D Ck+1 @0, 1D, and by proposition 3.11 we obtain the result.

We can expand this idea to Ck, HQL. And similarly obtain that
Theorem 0.13. The set C HQL is not dense on Ck, HQL.

This result may appear simple, but in fact, it is very important. The theorem 3.13 basically
assures us that the polynomials, or the sinus and cosinus series are unable to approximate every
function from the Hlder space.

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