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Riesz–Fischer theorem

Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem rather than just read about it. In short: In mathematics, the Riesz–Fischer theorem in real analysis is any of a number of closely related results concerning the properties of the space L2 of square integrable functions. The theorem was proven independently in 1907 by Frigyes Riesz and Ernst Sigismund Fischer.

Key takeaways

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

Reference excerpt

In mathematics, the Riesz–Fischer theorem in real analysis is any of a number of closely related results concerning the properties of the space L2 of square integrable functions. The theorem was proven independently in 1907 by Frigyes Riesz and Ernst Sigismund Fischer. For many authors, the Riesz–Fischer theorem refers to the fact that the Lp spaces L p {\displaystyle L^{p}} from Lebesgue integration theory are complete.

Modern forms of the theorem The most common form of the theorem states that a measurable function on [ − π , π ] {\displaystyle [-\pi ,\pi ]} is square integrable if and only if the corresponding Fourier series converges in the Lp space L 2 . {\displaystyle L^{2}.} This means that if the Nth partial sum of the Fourier series corresponding to a square-integrable function f is given by

S N f ( x ) = ∑ n = − N N F n e i n x , {\displaystyle S_{N}f(x)=\sum _{n=-N}^{N}F_{n}\,\mathrm {e} ^{inx},}

where F n , {\displaystyle F_{n},} the nth Fourier coefficient, is given by

F n = 1 2 π ∫ − π π f ( x ) e − i n x d x , {\displaystyle F_{n}={\frac {1}{2\pi }}\int _{-\pi }^{\pi }f(x)\,\mathrm {e} ^{-inx}\,\mathrm {d} x,}

then

lim N → ∞ ‖ S N f − f ‖ 2 = 0 , {\displaystyle \lim _{N\to \infty }\left\Vert S_{N}f-f\right\|_{2}=0,}

where ‖ ⋅ ‖ 2 {\displaystyle \|\,\cdot \,\|_{2}} is the L 2 {\displaystyle L^{2}} -norm. Conversely, if { a n } {\displaystyle \{a_{n}\}\,} is a two-sided sequence of complex numbers (that is, its indices range from negative infinity to positive infinity) such that

∑ n = − ∞ ∞ | a n | 2 < ∞ , {\displaystyle \sum _{n=-\infty }^{\infty }\left|a_{n}\right\vert ^{2}<\infty ,}

then there exists a function f such that f is square-integrable and the values a n {\displaystyle a_{n}} are the Fourier coefficients of f. This form of the Riesz–Fischer theorem is a stronger form of Bessel's inequality, and can be used to prove Parseval's identity for Fourier series. Other results are often called the Riesz–Fischer theorem (Dunford & Schwartz 1958, §IV.16). Among them is the theorem that, if A is an orthonormal set in a Hilbert space H, and x ∈ H , {\displaystyle x\in H,} then

⟨ x , y ⟩ = 0 {\displaystyle \langle x,y\rangle =0}

for all but countably many y ∈ A , {\displaystyle y\in A,} and

∑ y ∈ A | ⟨ x , y ⟩ | 2 ≤ ‖ x ‖ 2 . {\displaystyle \sum _{y\in A}|\langle x,y\rangle |^{2}\leq \|x\|^{2}.} Furthermore, if A is an orthonormal basis for H and x an arbitrary vector, the series

∑ y ∈ A ⟨ x , y ⟩ y {\displaystyle \sum _{y\in A}\langle x,y\rangle \,y}

converges commutatively (or unconditionally) to x. This is equivalent to saying that for every ε > 0 , {\displaystyle \varepsilon >0,} there exists a finite set B 0 {\displaystyle B_{0}} in A such that

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Riesz–Fischer theorem

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem

In research
Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem 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
Riesz–Fischer theorem is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fourier series, Theorems in real analysis, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Riesz–Fischer theorem in simple terms?

In mathematics, the Riesz–Fischer theorem in real analysis is any of a number of closely related results concerning the properties of the space L2 of square integrable functions. The theorem was proven independently in 1907 by Frigyes Riesz and Ernst Sigismund Fischer.

Why does Riesz–Fischer theorem 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 Riesz–Fischer theorem?

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 Riesz–Fischer theorem.

Tags

  • Fourier series
  • Theorems in real analysis

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