lacunary - Mathnotes

Convexity

Definition: Convex Function \@{convex-function}

Let ERk be a convex set. A function φ:ER is convex if

φ(λx+(1λ)y)λφ(x)+(1λ)φ(y)

whenever x,yE and 0<λ<1.

In geometric terms, this means a @chord joining any two points on the graph of φ lies on or above the graph between them.

Definition: Strictly Convex Function \@{strictly-convex-function}

Starting with convex function, φ is strictly convex if the inequality is strict whenever xy.

Definition: Concave Function \@{concave-function}

A function φ is said to be concave if φ is a convex function.

Theorem: Second Derivative Test for Convexity \@{second-derivative-test-for-convexity}

Let φ be twice differentiable on an open interval (a,b). Then φ is @convex on (a,b) if and only if φ(x)0 for all x(a,b), and @concave if and only if φ(x)0 for all x(a,b).

Referenced by (1 direct)

Direct references:

Definition: Convex Combination \@{convex-combination}

A convex combination is a linear combination of points where all @coefficients are non-negative and sum to 1.

Referenced by (4 direct)
Note \@{note-6}

Every convex combination of two points lies on the @line-segment between the points.