Paper 1, Section I, A

Variational Principles | Part IB, 2013

(a) Define what it means for a function g:RRg: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R} to be convex. Assuming gg^{\prime \prime} exists, state an equivalent condition. Let f(x)=xlogxf(x)=x \log x, defined on x>0x>0. Show that f(x)f(x) is convex.

(b) Find the Legendre transform f(p)f^{*}(p) of f(x)=xlogxf(x)=x \log x. State the domain of f(p)f^{*}(p). Without further calculation, explain why (f)=f\left(f^{*}\right)^{*}=f in this case.

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