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Progressive function

Progressive function is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Progressive function rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, a progressive function ƒ ∈ L2(R) is a function whose Fourier transform is supported by positive frequencies only: s u p p ⁡ f ^ ⊆ R + . {\displaystyle \mathop {\rm {supp}} {\hat {f}}\subseteq \mathbb {R} _{+}.} It is called super regressive if and only if the time reversed function f(−t) is progressive, or equivalently, if s u p p ⁡ f ^ ⊆ R − . {\displaystyle \mathop {\rm {supp}} {\hat {f}}\subseteq…

Key takeaways

  • Progressive function belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Progressive function to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Progressive function from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, a progressive function ƒ ∈ L2(R) is a function whose Fourier transform is supported by positive frequencies only:

s u p p ⁡ f ^ ⊆ R + . {\displaystyle \mathop {\rm {supp}} {\hat {f}}\subseteq \mathbb {R} _{+}.}

It is called super regressive if and only if the time reversed function f(−t) is progressive, or equivalently, if

s u p p ⁡ f ^ ⊆ R − . {\displaystyle \mathop {\rm {supp}} {\hat {f}}\subseteq \mathbb {R} _{-}.}

The complex conjugate of a progressive function is regressive, and vice versa. The space of progressive functions is sometimes denoted H + 2 ( R ) {\displaystyle H_{+}^{2}(R)} , which is known as the Hardy space of the upper half-plane. This is because a progressive function has the Fourier inversion formula

f ( t ) = ∫ 0 ∞ e 2 π i s t f ^ ( s ) d s {\displaystyle f(t)=\int _{0}^{\infty }e^{2\pi ist}{\hat {f}}(s)\,ds}

and hence extends to a holomorphic function on the upper half-plane { t + i u : t , u ∈ R , u ≥ 0 } {\displaystyle \{t+iu:t,u\in R,u\geq 0\}}

by the formula

f ( t + i u ) = ∫ 0 ∞ e 2 π i s ( t + i u ) f ^ ( s ) d s = ∫ 0 ∞ e 2 π i s t e − 2 π s u f ^ ( s ) d s . {\displaystyle f(t+iu)=\int _{0}^{\infty }e^{2\pi is(t+iu)}{\hat {f}}(s)\,ds=\int _{0}^{\infty }e^{2\pi ist}e^{-2\pi su}{\hat {f}}(s)\,ds.}

Conversely, every holomorphic function on the upper half-plane which is uniformly square-integrable on every horizontal line will arise in this manner. Regressive functions are similarly associated with the Hardy space on the lower half-plane { t + i u : t , u ∈ R , u ≤ 0 } {\displaystyle \{t+iu:t,u\in R,u\leq 0\}} .

References

This article incorporates material from progressive function on PlanetMath, which is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Progressive function

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Progressive function claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Progressive function before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Progressive function ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Progressive function

In research
Progressive function appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Progressive function in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Progressive function is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Hardy spaces, Types of functions, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Progressive function outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Progressive function in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Progressive function means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Progressive function out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Progressive function in simple terms?

In mathematics, a progressive function ƒ ∈ L2(R) is a function whose Fourier transform is supported by positive frequencies only: s u p p ⁡ f ^ ⊆ R + . {\displaystyle \mathop {\rm {supp}} {\hat {f}}\subseteq \mathbb {R} _{+}.} It is called super regressive if and only if the time reversed function…

Why does Progressive function matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Progressive function?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Progressive function.

Tags

  • Hardy spaces
  • Types of functions

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