Checking Convexity of a Set - Nonadditivity & Nondivisibility

  • Thread starter Kinetica
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Set
In summary, convex sets are characterized by being both additive and divisible. To determine convexity, one can draw a tangent line and see if it lies within the set. If it does, the set is convex. However, for nonconvex sets, a part of the tangent line may lie outside the set. To show nonadditivity, one can pick two points from the set and demonstrate that their sum is not in the set. To show nondivisibility, one can pick a point from the set and show that its halves do not belong to the set.
  • #1
Kinetica
88
0
A set is convex if it's additive and divisible. To find out the convexity you just pick any two points and draw a tangent line. If the line lies within the area - voila, the set is convex. Similarly, if the set is nonconvex, you just show that a part of any tangent line can lay outside of the set.

But in the case of nonconvexity, how do I show that it is also nonadditive and nondivisible?

I've got a set that looks like a flat donut where the donut hole is not a part of the set. I already showed that the set is nonconvex by drawing a tangent line. I do struggle to show (without complex proofs), that the set is also nondivisible and nonadditive.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
To show that the set is nonadditive, you can try to pick two arbitrary points from the set and show that their sum does not belong to the set. To show that the set is nondivisible, you can try to pick an arbitrary point from the set and show that its halves do not belong to the set.
 

FAQ: Checking Convexity of a Set - Nonadditivity & Nondivisibility

What is convexity and why is it important?

Convexity is a mathematical property that describes the shape of a set or function. A set is considered convex if a line segment connecting any two points within the set lies entirely within the set. This property is important because it allows us to make predictions and inferences about the behavior of a set or function in a consistent and reliable manner.

How do you check for convexity of a set?

To check for convexity of a set, we can use the definition of convexity mentioned above. We can also use specific tests, such as the Hessian matrix test or the second-order sufficient condition, to determine convexity. These tests involve calculating the second derivatives of the set or function and checking for certain conditions to be met.

What is the difference between additivity and nonadditivity?

Additivity refers to the property of a set or function where the sum of two elements or values is equal to the sum of their individual contributions. Nonadditivity, on the other hand, means that the sum of two elements or values does not equal the sum of their individual contributions. In terms of convexity, a set that is additive may not necessarily be convex, while a set that is nonadditive may be convex.

How does nondivisibility affect the convexity of a set?

Nondivisibility refers to the property of a set or function where it cannot be divided into smaller subsets or components without losing some of its characteristics. In terms of convexity, if a set is nondivisible, it means that it cannot be divided into two separate convex sets, which in turn may affect the overall convexity of the set. Nondivisibility may also lead to nonconvexity in certain cases.

How can the concept of convexity be applied in real-world situations?

Convexity has applications in various fields such as economics, finance, optimization, and machine learning. For example, in economics, convexity is used to model supply and demand curves and to analyze market behavior. In finance, convexity is used to measure the risk and return of investment portfolios. In optimization, convexity is used to find the optimal solution to complex problems. In machine learning, convexity is used to train algorithms and optimize model performance.

Similar threads

Back
Top