What does f(t) Subscripted to g(t) Epsilon Mean?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the notation ##f(t) \ll_\epsilon (g(t))^\epsilon## and its use in the Lindelöf hypothesis, which asserts that ##\zeta(\sigma+it) \ll_\epsilon (1+|t|)^\epsilon## for every positive ##\epsilon##. The subscript ##\epsilon## denotes a very small quantity and the Vinogradov notation ##f(x) \ll g(x)## is the same as the Big O notation. The inequality ##\epsilon>0## typically implies that ##\epsilon<1##, and it is used in functions involving something raised to a power of ##\
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What does this mean: ##f(t) \ll_\epsilon (g(t))^\epsilon## ?

Ref: Beginning of the introduction here.
 
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  • #2
Could you quote that part of the paper?

I couldn't access the researchgate link as it may be a paywall.

Usually the double less than symbols means "much less than"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Less-than_sign

Double less-than sign​

The double less-than sign, <<, may be used for an approximation of the much-less-than sign (≪) or of the opening guillemet («). ASCII does not encode either of these signs, though they are both included in Unicode.

In the wikipedia Lindelof hypothesis article, they reference a result by Ingham:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindelöf_hypothesis

Other consequences
Denoting by pn the n-th prime number, a result by Albert Ingham shows that the Lindelöf hypothesis implies that, for any ε > 0,
p_{n+1}-p_n\ll p_n^{1/2+\varepsilon}\,

if n is sufficiently large. However, this result is much worse than that of the large prime gap conjecture.
 
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  • #3
jedishrfu said:
I couldn't access the researchgate link as it may be a paywall.

I don't have a subscription either. If you scroll down, you can read it (embedded in the same page).

It says,
Let s=σ+it be a complex variable and ζ(s)the Riemann zeta-function. The classical Lindelof hypothesis asserts that ##\zeta(\sigma+it) \ll_\epsilon (1+|t|)^\epsilon## for every positive ##\epsilon##.

<< means "much less than" ... that's familiar, but what about the subscript?
 
  • #4
The subscript ##\epsilon## is used to denote a very small quantity often used in epsilon-delta limit proofs but I'm sure when its used as a subscript to the much less than.

Maybe @fresh_42 or @Mark44 will know.
 
  • #5
Let s=σ+it be a complex variable and ζ(s)the Riemann zeta-function. The classical Lindelof hypothesis asserts that ##\zeta(\sigma+it) \ll_\epsilon (1+|t|)^\epsilon## for every positive ##\epsilon##.
I've never seem that notation before and I don't know what it, ##\ll_\epsilon##, means. The Wikipedia page, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindelöf_hypothesis, says something different.
##\zeta(\frac 1 2 + it) = O(t^\epsilon)## with a similar equation that follows.
 
  • #6
The expression ##f(x) \ll g(x)## uses what is called Vinogradov notation. It means that there exists a constant ##C > 0## such that

##|f(x)| \leq Cg(x)##

where it's usually understood that ##x \rightarrow \infty##.

The Vinogradov notation ##f(x) \ll g(x)## is the same as the so-called Big O notation. That is, ##f(x) = O(g(x))## means the same as ##f(x) \ll g(x)##. The subscript ##\epsilon## means that the implied constant ##C## depends on ##\epsilon##. See this link and the Wikipedia link there for more information.
 
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  • #7
Thanks. Another quick question: When we read "for ##\epsilon>0## ", does it imply ##\epsilon<1## even if that's not stated? I mean specifically when talking about big-O to the power of ##\epsilon## ?.
 
  • #8
I haven't seen it either, I think. My interpretation would be: ##f(t)## is small compared to ##g(t)^\varepsilon ## for suitable ##\varepsilon ,## e.g. probably "any ##\varepsilon >0.##

Anyway, it is used for the first time in whatever you read. This is the context you need to answer your question.
 
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  • #9
I think the same as fresh, that is is a "conditional" much less than. In this case, for a suitable ##\varepsilon##.

I think I have seen it been used in "mathematical methods for physics" books, but I can not think of a title right of the bat.
 
  • #10
Swamp Thing said:
Another quick question: When we read "for ##\epsilon>0## ", does it imply ##\epsilon<1## even if that's not stated?
Yes, in most cases. The inequality ##\epsilon>0## is almost universally meant to convey the idea the ##\epsilon## is a small, positive number.
Swamp Thing said:
I mean specifically when talking about big-O to the power of ##\epsilon## ?.
This doesn't make any sense. The "big O" business is applied to some function; e.g., O(f(x)).
 
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  • #11
Mark44 said:
This doesn't make any sense. The "big O" business is applied to some function; e.g., O(f(x)).
Sorry, that was sloppy language. I meant big-O applied to some f(x) that involves something raised to ##\epsilon##
 

FAQ: What does f(t) Subscripted to g(t) Epsilon Mean?

What does f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon mean in mathematical terms?

In mathematical notation, f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon typically indicates a function f that is parameterized by another function g, with epsilon representing a small perturbation or error term. This notation is often used in contexts like asymptotic analysis or perturbation theory, where g(t) influences the behavior of f(t) in a specific way.

How is the notation f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon used in calculus?

In calculus, this notation might be used to describe a function that is defined in terms of another function, particularly when analyzing limits or continuity. For instance, it can represent how f(t) behaves as t approaches a certain value influenced by g(t) and a small perturbation epsilon.

Can f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon be applied in real-world scenarios?

Yes, this notation can be applied in various real-world scenarios, such as physics and engineering, where one function's behavior is influenced by another. For example, in control systems, f(t) could represent a system's output, while g(t) could represent input signals, with epsilon accounting for noise or uncertainties in the system.

What are some examples of f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon in physics?

In physics, you might encounter this notation in the context of differential equations modeling dynamic systems. For example, if f(t) represents the position of a particle and g(t) represents a varying force applied to it, then f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon can illustrate how small fluctuations in the applied force affect the particle's motion.

Is there a difference between f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon and f(t) = g(t) + epsilon?

Yes, there is a difference. The notation f(t) subscripted to g(t) epsilon suggests a more complex relationship where f is dependent on g and the perturbation epsilon, while f(t) = g(t) + epsilon indicates a direct addition of the perturbation to g. The subscripted notation implies a deeper functional relationship rather than a simple arithmetic operation.

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