Chapter 2: Problem 7
Let \(M\) be a nonempty smooth \(n\)-manifold with or without boundary, and suppose \(n \geq 1\). Show that the vector space \(C^{\infty}(M)\) is infinite- dimensional. [Hint: show that if \(f_{1}, \ldots, f_{k}\) are elements of \(C^{\infty}(M)\) with nonempty disjoint supports, then they are linearly independent.]
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Problem
Define Disjoint Support
Show Linear Independence
Existence of Functions with Disjoint Support
Conclude Infinite Dimensionality
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Smooth Manifold
- **Local Resemblance:** By locally resembling Euclidean space, manifolds can be covered with charts. These charts are seamless pieces that lay flat and allow calculus operations.
- **Differential Structure:** A smooth manifold comes equipped with a set of smooth transitions between charts. This means we can differentiate functions on these manifolds just like in regular calculus.
Linearly Independent Functions
When you have functions like \(f_1, f_2, \ldots, f_k\), they are considered linearly independent if:
- The equation \(c_1f_1 + c_2f_2 + \ldots + c_kf_k = 0\) holds only when all coefficients \(c_i\) are zero.
- This condition ensures their uniqueness in forming combinations, hence they span a larger space.
Disjoint Support
- **Support of a Function:** This is the closure of the set where the function doesn't take the value zero.
- **Disjoint Condition:** For functions \(f\) and \(g\), they have disjoint supports if their supports, denoted \(\text{supp}(f)\) and \(\text{supp}(g)\), do not intersect: \(\text{supp}(f) \cap \text{supp}(g) = \emptyset\).
Bump Functions
- **Characteristics:** A bump function is smooth (infinitely differentiable), supported on a compact region, and zero outside a certain range.
- **Construction:** On \(\mathbb{R}^n\), one commonly used bump function is defined by using a smooth, non-negative function that is one on a smaller compact set and drops to zero outside a larger compact set.
- **Utility in Manifolds:** By tweaking their position and size, bump functions can be scaled and translated to work on different regions of a manifold without overlapping.