Portland State University

This seminar features expository talks on topics in analysis that reflect the participants' interests, but often don't get into courses. In previous years we've heard talks on functional, complex, and harmonic analysis, probability, and dynamical systems. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive; everyone is welcome to participate: give a talk, or just be part of the audience.

Winter Term Schedule 2018:

Friday, January 26, 2:00--3:00 PM in CH 214

Jim Rulla will speak on:
"The SVD for Analysts"
Abstract. The Singular Value Decomposition represents linear operators by their stretching'' factors, called {\it singular values}. The largest singular value is well-known to analysts as the operator's {\it norm}. Stretching'' factors are the analyst's bailiwick, and the SVD deserves to be in every analyst's toolbox.

We'll derive the SVD using simple analytic techniques, motivated by the operator norm. The derivation leads naturally to the notions of numerical rank, the pseudoinverse, and Jacobi's method for computing the SVD.

Friday, January 12 & 19, 2:00--3:00 PM in CH (Cramer Hall) Room 124

Joel Shapiro will speak on:
"Almost-everywhere convergence for Fourier series"
Abstract. In what sense is an integrable function represented on a finite interval by its Fourier Series? Does the series converge to the function in some appropriate sense: in norm? Almost everywhere? We will investigate.
Notes for these talks are available  here.

Fall Term Schedule 2017:

Friday, November 17 & December 1, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

Prof. Mau Nam Nguyen, PSU will speak on:
"Duality in Convex Optimization: Theory and Applications"
Abstract. A given optimization problem called the primal problem can be solved by formulating a new optimization problem called the dual problem. In this talk we present two duality approaches used broadly in convex optimization: Fenchel duality and Lagrange duality. Both theory and applications of Fenchel duality and Lagrange duality will be discussed in the talk.

Friday, October 27, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

Joel Shapiro will speak on:
"Dirichlet Problem meets Maximal Function"
Abstract. We'll discuss the following Dirichlet problem: Given a Lebesgue integrable function f on the real line, find a harmonic function on the upper half-plane that "has f as its boundary values." How do you do this? What does it even mean? What does it have to do with maximal functions? We'll explore.
Notes for this talk are  here.
Revised notes for the "Lebesgue Differentiation/Maximal Function" talk are  here.

Friday, October 20, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

George Nicol will speak on:
"Relative-Strength Theorems for Q-Systems"
Abstract. A Q-system consists of four elements: a non-empty set X, two binary operations on X2, and a function of one variable defined on X. While the binary functions provide a way to combine elements of X algebraically, the function of one variable provides a way to create a topological or geometric structure for X. For a given Q-system, say Q, there is an inherent way to combine the binary functions of Q in such a manner as to give rise to pre-closure function on X and a method to determine the "relative strength" of the binary functions of Q. A proof for a one-dimensional relative-strength theorem is given for the natural numbers to show the relative-strength of addition and multiplication. There is also a two-dimensional relative-strength theorem for pairs of natural numbers as well.

Friday, October 13, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

Joel Shapiro will speak on:
"Almost-Everywhere Convergence ... Done Right"
Abstract. In this talk I'll discuss the Lebesgue Differentiation Theorem ("Differentiation undoes integration a.e."), and show how it follows from the famous Hardy-Littlewood Maximal Theorem. I'll prove the Maximal Theorem and, if time permits, will discuss its connection with the "cosmic truth" about almost-everywhere convergence.
Notes for this talk are  here.

Friday, October 6, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

Jim Rulla will speak on:
"Variational Mechanics II: Lagrange Multipliers"
Abstract. Lagrange multipliers are more meaningful than a mere trick pulled out of a hat''. The derivation, which requires only a little calculus and linear algebra, is an application of the fundamental subspaces'' of a linear operator. (The derivation is independent of last week's talk). Lagrange used his multipliers to solve variational problems.

The final example of the talk will use the gradient found last week to solve Dido's problem: "What is the largest area that can be bounded by a loop of string of fixed length?"

The talk is expository, requiring only a little calculus and linear algebra.

Friday, September 29, 2:00--3:00 PM in NH 373

Jim Rulla will speak on:
"Variational Mechanics: Gradients in Function Space"
Abstract. Lagrangian mechanics replaces Newton's (vector) momenta with (scalar) kinetic energies. Gradients turn the scalars into vectors, but there is a twist: the gradients with respect to position are treated differently from the gradients with respect to velocity. In this talk we'll show that in Lagrange's variational formulation, this "weird" combination of two different gradients in Rn can be reduced to a single gradient in function space. The talk is expository, requiring only a little calculus and linear algebra.
Notes for Jim's previous talks on variational mechanics are  here.

Seminar schedule and lecture notes 2016-2017

Seminar schedule and lecture notes 2015-2016

Seminar schedule and lecture notes 2014-2015

Seminar schedule and lecture notes 2013-2014

Seminar schedule and lecture notes 2012-2013