MathGroup Archive 2007

[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]

Search the Archive

Re: Re: Re: Re: Limit and Root Objects

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg72684] Re: [mg72668] Re: [mg72644] Re: [mg72620] Re: Limit and Root Objects
  • From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akoz at mimuw.edu.pl>
  • Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 05:15:28 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <NDBBJGNHKLMPLILOIPPOIEDOFFAA.djmp@earthlink.net> <62FF7F0E-5EEB-4DF5-8C47-F906AE498AFA@mimuw.edu.pl> <59B9881D-DCF6-4864-ACE3-C8D74CDEA3A7@mimuw.edu.pl>

One further (I hope last) comment. There is of course a sense in  
which the roots of a polynomial are continuous in the coefficients.  
Formally one has to use the concept of the symmetric product to state  
this. Let again X be the space C^d-S of monic polynomials of degree d  
with the determinant remove. Now we construct a space Y as follows.  
We first consider the subspace Z of the Cartesian product C^d,  
consisting of complex numbers (c_1,c_2,...,c_d) which are all  
distinct. The symmetric group on d elements (the permutation group) S 
(d) acts on Z, and we let Y be the set of orbits of the action Y=Z/S 
(d). So now we have a map f: X -> Y which assigns to a polynomial p  
in X, the unordered set of its roots (z_1,z_2,...,z_d). This map is  
certianly continuous with respect to the natural topologies on X and  
Y. Intuitively this says that the set of unordered roots (all of  
them) is indeed a continuous function of the parameters of the  
polynomials (but not the individual roots themselves).

If, what you have been saying is in some way related to the above  
than of course I agree, but I can't see how this fact can in any way  
be useful in a computer program like Mathematica.


Andrzej Kozlowski


On 15 Jan 2007, at 07:35, Andrzej Kozlowski wrote:

> I think I should have expressed myself  differently. So here it is  
> again.
>
> I am sure that if you read and think about
>
> http://forums.wolfram.com/mathgroup/archive/2006/Dec/msg00496.html
>
>  you will certianly know what I have been talking about. I don't  
> beleive you have done that.  I can't explain it any better or  
> simpler. However, I can again state in a formal way what I am  
> asserting to be true.
>
>  To talk of "continuity" of anything you have to specify three  
> things. One is a topological space X - the source space. The second  
> is a topological space Y - the target space. The third a map  
> (function)  f: X -> Y. The statement of the theorem is:
> Let X = C^d -S be the space of all complex monic polynomials with  
> the discriminant (the set of polynomials with a double root)  
> removed. Let Y = C (the complex numbers). Then there cannot exists  
> a continuous map f :X -> Y such that for any polynomial p in X, f 
> (p) is a root of p.
>
> This is proved by Adam Strzebonski in the above link. The theorem  
> of Vassiliev says that if d is a power of prime than you will need  
> at lead d open Sets U_1,U_2, ..., U_d whose union is all of X, such  
> that there is a map f_i: U_i -> C with the property that f(p) is a  
> root of p.
>
> I can also prove the following. Let X= R^d-S - the space of real  
> polynomials of degree d with the discriminant removed. Let Y=C.  
> Then there does exist a continuous map f: X -> Y such that for each  
> real polynomial p in X, f(p) is a root of p. (There are in fact  
> many such maps, exactly d over each connected component of X).
>
> I think this is as clear as it can be made. Now, of course it is  
> quite possible that what you are trying to say is perfectly  
> sensible and correct. However, to make it mathematics you must be  
> able to make a formal statement like the above. An animation is not  
> a substitute for this. I have no idea form you animation what is  
> your X, what is your Y, and what is your function f that you claim  
> can be a continuous function. An animation or a graphic can be  
> useful once you only if they illustrate some formal mathematica  
> notions like these.
>
> Andrzej Kozlowski
>
>
> On 14 Jan 2007, at 18:47, Andrzej Kozlowski wrote:
>
>> As I already suggested: read
>>
>> http://forums.wolfram.com/mathgroup/archive/2006/Dec/msg00496.html
>>
>> and then think about what it says. (Obviously the issue concernst  
>> each individual root being continuous).
>>
>> I think I have written about this as much as I am willing to do.
>>
>> Andrzej Kozlowski
>>
>> On 14 Jan 2007, at 17:58, David Park wrote:
>>
>>> Paul Abbot asked: "Again, ignoring root ordering, why
>>> isn't it possible for all these roots to maintain their identity  
>>> and so
>>> be continuous functions of the parameter? And wouldn't such  
>>> continuity
>>> be nicer than enforcing root ordering?"
>>>
>>> (I'm not certain if I exactly understand Paul's question. Does he  
>>> mean that
>>> each individual root function, in the set of root functions, must be
>>> continuous, or does he allow global reindexing on the entire set  
>>> to achieve
>>> continuity?)
>>>
>>> So, what exactly does your mathematical theorem say? Does it say  
>>> that given
>>> a one-parameter finite order polynomial it is not possible to  
>>> continuously
>>> reindex the set of root solutions so that the reindexed roots  
>>> will vary
>>> continuously in the complex plane as a function of the parameter?  
>>> Or that
>>> you can't do this when the polynomial contains a complex  
>>> coefficient? If it
>>> says that, I don't believe it.
>>>
>>> It certainly is possible to arrange things so that the roots vary
>>> continuously, and it can even be useful.
>>>
>>> It reminds me of a Groucho Marx quip, something about: "Are you  
>>> going to
>>> listen to me or are you going to go by what you see in front of  
>>> your eyes?"
>>>
>>> David Park
>>> djmp at earthlink.net
>>> http://home.earthlink.net/~djmp/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Andrzej Kozlowski [mailto:akoz at mimuw.edu.pl]
>>>
>>> I don't understand what you mean by "continuous enough" and why you
>>> think and animation can "disprove" a mathematical proof?
>>>
>>> Please read the argument:
>>>
>>> http://forums.wolfram.com/mathgroup/archive/2006/Dec/msg00496.html
>>>
>>> It is very simple. Remember the point is that you cannot define such
>>> a function that will be continuous over the entire 6 dimensional (3
>>> complex dimensions) space of polynomials of degree 3 with complex
>>> roots (we actually normally remove the discriminant from the space).
>>> You are using a smaller subspace ( you have just one complex
>>> parameter) and over a smaller subspace naturaly it is possible to
>>> have a continuous root.
>>> If you look carefully at Adam's argument you will be easily able to
>>> see what must go wrong over the entire space of complex cubics.
>>>
>>> This in fact is a good illustration of what a double edged weapon
>>> graphics and animations are in studying mathematics: they can  
>>> just as
>>> easily mislead your intuition and lead you to wrong conclusions  
>>> as to
>>> right ones. Which is one reason why I think one should never rely  
>>> too
>>> much on such tools when teaching mathematics. Proofs are proofs and
>>> no number of "convincing animations" and "experimental mathematics"
>>> can replace them.
>>>
>>> Andrzej Kozlowski,
>>>
>>> Department of Mathematics, Informatics and Mechanics
>>> Warsaw University, Poland
>>>
>>>
>>> On 14 Jan 2007, at 01:54, David Park wrote:
>>>
>>>> This looks continuous enough to me, with and without complex
>>>> coefficients.
>>>>
>>>> Needs["Graphics`Animation`"]
>>>> Needs["Graphics`Colors`"]
>>>>
>>>> frame[a_] :=
>>>>   Module[{roots = rootset[a], newroots, rootpermutations,
>>>> distances, pick,
>>>>       locations},
>>>>     If[memoryrootset === Null, newroots = roots,
>>>>       rootpermutations = Permutations[roots];
>>>>       distances =
>>>>         Plus @@ Abs[Part[roots, #] - memoryrootset] & /@
>>>> basepermutations;
>>>>       pick = Part[Position[distances, Min[distances], 1], 1, 1];
>>>>       newroots = Part[roots, Part[basepermutations, pick]]];
>>>>     memoryrootset = newroots;
>>>>     locations = {Re[#], Im[#]} & /@ newroots;
>>>>
>>>>     Show[Graphics[
>>>>         {LightCoral, AbsolutePointSize[15],
>>>>           Point /@ locations,
>>>>           Black,
>>>>           MapThread[Text[#1, #2] &, {Range[5], locations}],
>>>>
>>>>           Text[SequenceForm["a = ",
>>>>               NumberForm[a, {3, 2}, NumberPadding -> {" ", "0"}]],
>>>>             Scaled[{0.1, 0.95}], {-1, 0}]}],
>>>>
>>>>       AspectRatio -> Automatic,
>>>>       TextStyle -> {FontFamily -> "Courier", FontSize -> 12,
>>>>           FontWeight -> "Bold"},
>>>>       Frame -> True,
>>>>       PlotRange -> {{-3, 3}, {-3, 3}},
>>>>       PlotLabel -> SequenceForm["Continuous Roots of" ,  
>>>> displaypoly],
>>>>       ImageSize -> 400]
>>>>     ]
>>>>
>>>> Case 1
>>>>
>>>> polynomial = x^5 - a x - 1 == 0;
>>>> displaypoly = polynomial /. a -> HoldForm[a];
>>>> rootset[a_] = x /. Solve[polynomial, x]
>>>>
>>>> memoryrootset = Null;
>>>> basepermutations = Permutations[Range[5]];
>>>> Animate[frame[a], {a, -6, 10, 0.25}]
>>>> SelectionMove[EvaluationNotebook[], All, GeneratedCell]
>>>> FrontEndTokenExecute["OpenCloseGroup"]; Pause[0.5];
>>>> FrontEndExecute[{FrontEnd`SelectionAnimate[200,
>>>> AnimationDisplayTime -> 0.1,
>>>>       AnimationDirection -> ForwardBackward]}]
>>>>
>>>> Case 2
>>>>
>>>> polynomial = x^5 + (1 + I) x^4 - a x - 1 == 0;
>>>> displaypoly = polynomial /. a -> HoldForm[a];
>>>> rootset[a_] = x /. Solve[polynomial, x];
>>>>
>>>> memoryrootset = Null;
>>>> basepermutations = Permutations[Range[5]];
>>>> Animate[frame[a], {a, -6, 10, 0.5}]
>>>> SelectionMove[EvaluationNotebook[], All, GeneratedCell]
>>>> FrontEndTokenExecute["OpenCloseGroup"]; Pause[0.5];
>>>> FrontEndExecute[{FrontEnd`SelectionAnimate[200,
>>>> AnimationDisplayTime -> 0.1,
>>>>       AnimationDirection -> ForwardBackward]}]
>>>>
>>>> But this is a combinatoric algorithm and if there are too many
>>>> roots it
>>>> might begin to get costly. But it is perfectly practical for these
>>>> examples.
>>>>
>>>> David Park
>>>> djmp at earthlink.net
>>>> http://home.earthlink.net/~djmp/
>>>>
>>>> From: Andrzej Kozlowski [mailto:akoz at mimuw.edu.pl]
>>>>
>>>> On 12 Jan 2007, at 11:05, Paul Abbott wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> In article <em8jfr$pfv$1 at smc.vnet.net>,
>>>>>  Andrzej Kozlowski <andrzej at akikoz.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> What you describe, including the fact that the numbering or roots
>>>>>> changes is inevitable and none of it is not a bug. There cannot
>>>>>> exist
>>>>>> an ordering of complex roots that does not suffer from this  
>>>>>> problem.
>>>>>> What happens is this.
>>>>>> Real root objects are ordered in the natural way. A cubic can  
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> either three real roots or one real root and two conjugate  
>>>>>> complex
>>>>>> ones. Let's assume we have the latter situation. Then the real  
>>>>>> root
>>>>>> will be counted as being earlier then the complex ones. Now  
>>>>>> suppose
>>>>>> you start changing the coefficients continuously. The roots will
>>>>>> start "moving in the complex plane", with the real root  
>>>>>> remaining on
>>>>>> the real line the two complex roots always remaining conjugate
>>>>>> (symmetric with respect to the real axis). Eventually they may
>>>>>> collide and form a double real root. If this double real root  
>>>>>> is now
>>>>>> smaller then the the "original real root" (actually than the  
>>>>>> root to
>>>>>> which the original real root moved due the the changing of the
>>>>>> parameter), there will be a jump in the ordering; the former root
>>>>>> number 1 becoming number 3.
>>>>>> This is completely unavoidable, not any kind of bug, and I am not
>>>>>> complaining about it. It takes only elementary  topology of
>>>>>> configuration spaces to prove that this must always be so.
>>>>>
>>>>> But is there a continuous root numbering if the roots are not
>>>>> ordered?
>>>>>
>>>>> What I mean is that if you compute the roots of a polynomial,  
>>>>> which
>>>>> is a
>>>>> function of a parameter, then if you assign a number to each root,
>>>>> can
>>>>> you follow that root continuously as the parameter changes? Two
>>>>> examples
>>>>> are presented below.
>>>>>
>>>>> Here is some code to animate numbered roots using the standard  
>>>>> root
>>>>> ordering, displaying the root numbering:
>>>>>
>>>>>  rootplot[r_] := Table[ListPlot[
>>>>>    Transpose[{Re[x /. r[a]], Im[x /. r[a]]}],
>>>>>    PlotStyle -> AbsolutePointSize[10],
>>>>>    PlotRange -> {{-3, 3}, {-3, 3}},
>>>>>    AspectRatio -> Automatic,
>>>>>    PlotLabel -> StringJoin["a=", ToString[PaddedForm[Chop[a], {2,
>>>>> 1}]]],
>>>>>    Epilog -> {GrayLevel[1],
>>>>>     MapIndexed[Text[#2[[1]], {Re[#1], Im[#1]}] & , x /. r[a]]}],
>>>>>       {a, -6, 10, 0.5}]
>>>>>
>>>>> First, we have a polynomial with real coefficients:
>>>>>
>>>>>   r1[a_] = Solve[x^5 - a x - 1 == 0, x]
>>>>>
>>>>> Animating the trajectories of the roots using
>>>>>
>>>>>   rootplot[r1]
>>>>>
>>>>> we observe that, as you mention above, when the complex conjugate
>>>>> roots
>>>>> 2 and 3 coalesce, they become real roots 1 and 2 and root 1  
>>>>> becomes
>>>>> root
>>>>> 3. But, ignoring root ordering, why isn't it possible for these
>>>>> roots to
>>>>> maintain their identity (I realise that at coelescence, there  
>>>>> is an
>>>>> arbitrariness)?
>>>>>
>>>>> Second, we have a polynomial with a complex coefficient:
>>>>>
>>>>>   r2[a_] = Solve[x^5 + (1+I) x^4 - a x - 1 == 0, x]
>>>>>
>>>>> Animating the trajectories of the roots using
>>>>>
>>>>>   rootplot[r2]
>>>>>
>>>>> we observe that, even though the trajectories of the roots are
>>>>> continuous, the numbering switches:
>>>>>
>>>>>   2 -> 3 -> 4
>>>>>   5 -> 4 -> 3
>>>>>   3 -> 4 -> 5
>>>>>   4 -> 3 -> 2
>>>>>
>>>>> and only root 1 remains invariant. Again, ignoring root  
>>>>> ordering, why
>>>>> isn't it possible for all these roots to maintain their identity
>>>>> and so
>>>>> be continuous functions of the parameter? And wouldn't such
>>>>> continuity
>>>>> be nicer than enforcing root ordering?
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheers,
>>>>> Paul
>>>>>
>>>>> __________________________________________________________________ 
>>>>> ___
>>>>> _
>>>>> _
>>>>> Paul Abbott                                      Phone:  61 8 6488
>>>>> 2734
>>>>> School of Physics, M013                            Fax: +61 8 6488
>>>>> 1014
>>>>> The University of Western Australia         (CRICOS Provider No
>>>>> 00126G)
>>>>> AUSTRALIA                               http://physics.uwa.edu.au/
>>>>> ~paul
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> In the cases of polynomials with real coefficients it is indeed
>>>> possible to define a continuous root. It is certianly not  
>>>> possible to
>>>> do so for polynomials with complex coefficients. For a proof see my
>>>> and Adam Strzebonski's posts in the same thread. Adam Strzebonski
>>>> gave a very elementary proof of the fact that a continuous root
>>>> cannot be defined on the space of complex polynomials of degree  
>>>> d. I
>>>> quoted a more powerful but not elementary theorem of Vassiliev,  
>>>> which
>>>> describes the minimum number of open sets that are needed to cover
>>>> the space of complex polynomials of degree d, so that there is a
>>>> continuous root defined on each open set. In fact, Vassiliev gives
>>>> the exact number only in the case when d is prime, in which case d
>>>> open sets are needed. For example, for polynomials of degree 3 at
>>>> least 3 sets are needed . If it were possible to define a   
>>>> continuous
>>>> root, then of course only one set would suffice. In the case when d
>>>> is not prime no simple formula seems to be known, but it is easy to
>>>> prove that that the number is >1, (e.g. by means of Adam
>>>> Strzebonski's proof).
>>>>
>>>> Andrzej Kozlowski
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>


  • Prev by Date: RE: Re: Re: Re: Limit and Root Objects
  • Next by Date: Re: Re: Re: Re: Limit and Root Objects
  • Previous by thread: RE: Re: Re: Re: Limit and Root Objects
  • Next by thread: Re: Re: Re: Re: Limit and Root Objects