[Math] $C[0,1]$ is not Hilbert space

functional-analysishilbert-spaces

Prove that the space $C[0,1]$ of continuous functions from $[0,1]$ to $\mathbb{R}$ with the inner product $ \langle f,g \rangle =\int_{0}^{1} f(t)g(t)dt \quad $ is not Hilbert space.

I know that I have to find a Cauchy sequence $(f_n)_n$ which converges to a function $f$ which is not continuous, but I can't construct such a sequence $(f_n)_n$.

Any help?

Best Answer

Let $f_n:[-1,1]\to\mathbb R$ be such that $$f_n(t)=\begin{cases}1, & \text{if $t\in[-1,0];$} \\1-nt, & \text{if $t\in[0,\tfrac1n]$;} \\ 0, & \text{otherwise.}\end{cases}$$

According to Mathematica, we have $\lVert f_n-f_m\rVert=\frac{(m-n)^2}{3 m^2 n}$ if $1<n<m$ so this is indeed a Cauchy sequence.

In[1]:= f[n_] := Piecewise[{{1, t < 0}, {1 - n t, 0 <= t <= 1/n}}];

In[2]:= Integrate[(f[n]-f[m])^2, {t, -1, 1},  Assumptions-> 1<n<m] 

               2
        (m - n)
Out[2]= --------
            2
         3 m  n

Can you show it does not converge?

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