Approximation in Lᵖ by continuous functions #
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This file proves that bounded continuous functions are dense in Lp E p μ, for p < ∞, if the
domain α of the functions is a normal topological space and the measure μ is weakly regular.
It also proves the same results for approximation by continuous functions with compact support
when the space is locally compact and μ is regular.
The result is presented in several versions. First concrete versions giving an approximation
up to ε in these various contexts, and then abstract versions stating that the topological
closure of the relevant subgroups of Lp are the whole space.
mem_ℒp.exists_has_compact_support_snorm_sub_lestates that, in a locally compact space, anℒpfunction can be approximated by continuous functions with compact support, in the sense thatsnorm (f - g) p μis small.mem_ℒp.exists_has_compact_support_integral_rpow_sub_le: same result, but expressed in terms of∫ ‖f - g‖^p.
Versions with integrable instead of mem_ℒp are specialized to the case p = 1.
Versions with bounded_continuous instead of has_compact_support drop the locally
compact assumption and give only approximation by a bounded continuous function.
measure_theory.Lp.bounded_continuous_function_dense: The subgroupmeasure_theory.Lp.bounded_continuous_functionofLp E p μ, the additive subgroup ofLp E p μconsisting of equivalence classes containing a continuous representative, is dense inLp E p μ.bounded_continuous_function.to_Lp_dense_range: For finite-measureμ, the continuous linear mapbounded_continuous_function.to_Lp p μ 𝕜fromα →ᵇ EtoLp E p μhas dense range.continuous_map.to_Lp_dense_range: For compactαand finite-measureμ, the continuous linear mapcontinuous_map.to_Lp p μ 𝕜fromC(α, E)toLp E p μhas dense range.
Note that for p = ∞ this result is not true:  the characteristic function of the set [0, ∞) in
ℝ cannot be continuously approximated in L∞.
The proof is in three steps.  First, since simple functions are dense in Lp, it suffices to prove
the result for a scalar multiple of a characteristic function of a measurable set s. Secondly,
since the measure μ is weakly regular, the set s can be approximated above by an open set and
below by a closed set.  Finally, since the domain α is normal, we use Urysohn's lemma to find a
continuous function interpolating between these two sets.
Related results #
Are you looking for a result on "directional" approximation (above or below with respect to an
order) of functions whose codomain is ℝ≥0∞ or ℝ, by semicontinuous functions?  See the
Vitali-Carathéodory theorem, in the file measure_theory.vitali_caratheodory.
A variant of Urysohn's lemma, ℒ^p version, for an outer regular measure μ:
consider two sets s ⊆ u which are respectively closed and open with μ s < ∞, and a vector c.
Then one may find a continuous function f equal to c on s and to 0 outside of u,
bounded by ‖c‖ everywhere, and such that the ℒ^p norm of f - s.indicator (λ y, c) is
arbitrarily small. Additionally, this function f belongs to ℒ^p.
In a locally compact space, any function in ℒp can be approximated by compactly supported
continuous functions when p < ∞, version in terms of snorm.
In a locally compact space, any function in ℒp can be approximated by compactly supported
continuous functions when 0 < p < ∞, version in terms of ∫.
In a locally compact space, any integrable function can be approximated by compactly supported
continuous functions, version in terms of ∫⁻.
In a locally compact space, any integrable function can be approximated by compactly supported
continuous functions, version in terms of ∫.
Any function in ℒp can be approximated by bounded continuous functions when p < ∞,
version in terms of snorm.
Any function in ℒp can be approximated by bounded continuous functions when 0 < p < ∞,
version in terms of ∫.
Any integrable function can be approximated by bounded continuous functions,
version in terms of ∫⁻.
Any integrable function can be approximated by bounded continuous functions,
version in terms of ∫.
A function in Lp can be approximated in Lp by continuous functions.