Proof of Convexity by Contradiciton
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I have a long and complicated function $f(T)$ whose derivative is not easy to derive. So, I want to prove that $f(T)$ is a convex function over the interval $(0,infty)$ . I think it is easier by using contradiction. The convexity definition of a function states that $f(T)$ is convex over an interval $(a,b)$ if for every $T_1, T_2 in (a,b)$, $0leq lambda leq 1$ and the inequality below holds
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) leq lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Now, I assume that for every $T_1, T_2 in (0,infty)$ and $0leq lambda leq 1$, the inequality below is true:
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) > lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Then, let $T_1 = T_2 = 1$ and $lambda = 1/3$. The inequality becomes
$f(frac13 + frac23) > frac13f(1) + frac23f(1)$
$f(1) > f(1)$ which is wrong. By contradiction, $f(T)$ is convex.
But, then every function can be proven to be complex. How should I fix this proof?
convex-analysis convexity-inequality
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up vote
-1
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I have a long and complicated function $f(T)$ whose derivative is not easy to derive. So, I want to prove that $f(T)$ is a convex function over the interval $(0,infty)$ . I think it is easier by using contradiction. The convexity definition of a function states that $f(T)$ is convex over an interval $(a,b)$ if for every $T_1, T_2 in (a,b)$, $0leq lambda leq 1$ and the inequality below holds
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) leq lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Now, I assume that for every $T_1, T_2 in (0,infty)$ and $0leq lambda leq 1$, the inequality below is true:
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) > lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Then, let $T_1 = T_2 = 1$ and $lambda = 1/3$. The inequality becomes
$f(frac13 + frac23) > frac13f(1) + frac23f(1)$
$f(1) > f(1)$ which is wrong. By contradiction, $f(T)$ is convex.
But, then every function can be proven to be complex. How should I fix this proof?
convex-analysis convexity-inequality
add a comment |Â
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
up vote
-1
down vote
favorite
I have a long and complicated function $f(T)$ whose derivative is not easy to derive. So, I want to prove that $f(T)$ is a convex function over the interval $(0,infty)$ . I think it is easier by using contradiction. The convexity definition of a function states that $f(T)$ is convex over an interval $(a,b)$ if for every $T_1, T_2 in (a,b)$, $0leq lambda leq 1$ and the inequality below holds
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) leq lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Now, I assume that for every $T_1, T_2 in (0,infty)$ and $0leq lambda leq 1$, the inequality below is true:
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) > lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Then, let $T_1 = T_2 = 1$ and $lambda = 1/3$. The inequality becomes
$f(frac13 + frac23) > frac13f(1) + frac23f(1)$
$f(1) > f(1)$ which is wrong. By contradiction, $f(T)$ is convex.
But, then every function can be proven to be complex. How should I fix this proof?
convex-analysis convexity-inequality
I have a long and complicated function $f(T)$ whose derivative is not easy to derive. So, I want to prove that $f(T)$ is a convex function over the interval $(0,infty)$ . I think it is easier by using contradiction. The convexity definition of a function states that $f(T)$ is convex over an interval $(a,b)$ if for every $T_1, T_2 in (a,b)$, $0leq lambda leq 1$ and the inequality below holds
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) leq lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Now, I assume that for every $T_1, T_2 in (0,infty)$ and $0leq lambda leq 1$, the inequality below is true:
$fleft( lambda T_1 + (1-lambda)T_2 right) > lambda f(T_1) + (1-lambda)f(T_2)$.
Then, let $T_1 = T_2 = 1$ and $lambda = 1/3$. The inequality becomes
$f(frac13 + frac23) > frac13f(1) + frac23f(1)$
$f(1) > f(1)$ which is wrong. By contradiction, $f(T)$ is convex.
But, then every function can be proven to be complex. How should I fix this proof?
convex-analysis convexity-inequality
asked Jul 25 at 10:02
silent_man
204
204
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1 Answer
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If $f$ is not convex you can only say that $f(lambda T_1+(1-lambda )T_2)>lambda f(T_1)+(1-lambda )f(T_2))$ for some choices of $T_1,T_2,lambda $, not for all choices.
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
If $f$ is not convex you can only say that $f(lambda T_1+(1-lambda )T_2)>lambda f(T_1)+(1-lambda )f(T_2))$ for some choices of $T_1,T_2,lambda $, not for all choices.
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If $f$ is not convex you can only say that $f(lambda T_1+(1-lambda )T_2)>lambda f(T_1)+(1-lambda )f(T_2))$ for some choices of $T_1,T_2,lambda $, not for all choices.
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If $f$ is not convex you can only say that $f(lambda T_1+(1-lambda )T_2)>lambda f(T_1)+(1-lambda )f(T_2))$ for some choices of $T_1,T_2,lambda $, not for all choices.
If $f$ is not convex you can only say that $f(lambda T_1+(1-lambda )T_2)>lambda f(T_1)+(1-lambda )f(T_2))$ for some choices of $T_1,T_2,lambda $, not for all choices.
answered Jul 25 at 10:04


Kavi Rama Murthy
20k2829
20k2829
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
add a comment |Â
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
Then, what do I need to do to prove the convexity?
– silent_man
Jul 25 at 10:15
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
You cannot have a universal method of proving convexity.
– Kavi Rama Murthy
Jul 25 at 10:19
add a comment |Â
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