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The Analytic Hahn Banach Theorem - Examples

1 · Prerequisites

2 · Summary

The companion page keeps the analytic theorem concrete. It compares the abstract norming-functional existence theorem with the explicit Lp−Lq extremizer, computes a full interval of norm-preserving extensions in a codimension-one example, and then uses the dominated form of Hahn-Banach to build a Banach limit and verify its standard properties.

The counterexample isolates nonuniqueness as a reusable phenomenon, while the closing remark records two choice-theoretic questions whose current status the proved Hahn-Banach ledger does not establish.

3 · Logical flowchart

4 · Definitions, theorems and proofs

None yet.

5 · Examples, counterexamples and false statements

ExampleConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedverified 2026-09-26 (gpt-6-sol)↗ rests on later materialOpen item page →

The abstract norming-functional theorem agrees with the concrete L^p-L^q formula

Example

Assume HB (The real dominated-extension principle as an additional hypothesis over ZF ↗). Let (X,A,μ) be a measure space, let 1≤p<∞, and let q be conjugate to p. Assume either 1<p<∞, or p=1 and μ is sigma-finite. For every nonzero f∈Lp(μ), the abstract Hahn-Banach theorem produces a unit-norm functional Φ∈(Lp(μ))∗ with Φ(f)=∥f∥p, and the earlier Lp−Lq duality page realizes the same value concretely by pairing against the usual Lq extremizer.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: HB and a measure space (X,A,μ), an exponent 1≤p<∞ with conjugate exponent q, and a nonzero element f∈Lp(μ) in one of the ranges covered by the Lp−Lq duality page.

[L1]

Under HB, every nonzero vector has a norming functional (Relative dual norming, point separation, and recovery of the norm ↗).

[L2]

In the same Lp−Lq ranges, the Lp norm is the supremum of pairings against unit Lq functions (The Lp norm is the supremum of pairings against unit Lq functions).

[L3]

The bilinear pairing with g defines a bounded scalar-linear functional of norm at most ∥g∥q (Every g∈Lq(μ) defines a bounded linear functional on Lp(μ)).

Verification

technique · direct
1.1L1given

Using the assumed HB, apply [L1] to the nonzero vector f∈Lp(μ). This gives a functional Φ∈(Lp(μ))∗ with ∥Φ∥=1 and Φ(f)=∥f∥p.

1.2L2givenalgebra

By [L2], the same number ∥f∥p is obtained as sup⁡{∣∫fg dμ∣:∥g∥q≤1}. For a representative u of f, put θ(x)=u(x)‾/∣u(x)∣ where u(x)≠0, and θ(x)=0 otherwise. When 1<p<∞, take g=∣u∣p−1θ/∥f∥pp−1. Then ∥g∥q=1 and ug=∣u∣p/∥f∥pp−1, so ∫ug dμ=∥f∥p. When p=1, take g=θ; then ∥g∥∞≤1 and ug=∣u∣. The conjugate phase is required for the bilinear pairing ∫fg over complex scalars; over real scalars it is the usual sign.

2.1step 1.1step 1.2L3∎

By [L3], each displayed g defines a functional of norm at most one, and its value on the nonzero f is ∥f∥p, forcing its operator norm to be exactly one. Thus the abstract existence statement from Hahn-Banach and the concrete Lp−Lq formula from the earlier page identify the same norming phenomenon: one proves that some unit functional attains ∥f∥p, and the other writes an attaining functional down explicitly.

ExampleConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-09-05Open item page →

A codimension-one subspace can admit many norm-preserving Hahn-Banach extensions

Example

Let X=(R2,∥⋅∥∞), let M:=span⁡{(1,1)}, and define f0:M→R by f0(t,t)=t. Then ∥f0∥=1, and for every c∈[−1,1] the formula

Fc(a,b):=1+c2a+1−c2b

defines a norm-preserving extension of f0 to all of X. So a codimension-one subspace can have infinitely many Hahn-Banach extensions of the same norm.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The normed space X=(R2,∥⋅∥∞), the diagonal subspace M=span⁡{(1,1)}, and the functional f0(t,t)=t.

[L1]

In a one-step Hahn-Banach extension, the admissible values form a nonempty interval (The admissible values in a one-step Hahn-Banach extension form a nonempty interval).

[L2]

Verification

technique · direct
1.1givenalgebra

For (t,t)∈M one has ∣f0(t,t)∣=∣t∣=∥(t,t)∥∞, so ∥f0∥=1. Also every (a,b)∈R2 decomposes as (a,b)=a+b2(1,1)+a−b2(1,−1), so X=M⊕R(1,−1).

2.1step 1.1givenconstructalgebra

If F is a linear extension of f0 and c:=F(1,−1), then step 1.1 forces F(a,b)=a+b2F(1,1)+a−b2F(1,−1)=1+c2a+1−c2b. Conversely, the displayed formula defines a linear functional extending f0.

3.1step 2.1algebra

Let φ(a,b):=αa+βb on (R2,∥⋅∥∞). If ∥(a,b)∥∞≤1, then ∣φ(a,b)∣≤∣α∣ ∣a∣+∣β∣ ∣b∣≤∣α∣+∣β∣. Choosing a=sgn⁡α and b=sgn⁡β (interpreting sgn⁡0=0) gives ∥(a,b)∥∞≤1 and ∣φ(a,b)∣=∣α∣+∣β∣, so ∥φ∥=∣α∣+∣β∣. Applying this to the formula from step 2.1 yields ∥Fc∥=∣1+c∣+∣1−c∣2. This equals 1 exactly when −1≤c≤1.

4.1L1L2step 3.1∎

Therefore every c∈[−1,1] gives a norm-preserving extension of f0. This computes explicitly the admissible interval predicted abstractly by [L1], and in particular is consistent with the existence statement of [L2].

ExampleConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-09-05Open item page →

A Banach limit obtained from Hahn-Banach

Example

Let ℓ∞ be the real vector space of bounded real sequences with the supremum norm, let S:ℓ∞→ℓ∞ be the shift S(x0,x1,x2,… )=(x1,x2,x3,… ), and let C⊆ℓ∞ be the subspace of sequences whose Cesaro means converge.

Then there exists a linear functional L:ℓ∞→R such that

  • L(x)=lim⁡n→∞σn(x) for every x∈C;
  • L(x)≤lim sup⁡n→∞σn(x) for every bounded sequence x;
  • L(Sx)=L(x) for every bounded sequence x.

The next lemma shows that such an L is a Banach limit.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The real vector space ℓ∞ of bounded real sequences, the shift S, and the Cesaro means σn(x) of a bounded sequence x.

[L1]

A sublinear functional is additive up to inequality and homogeneous for nonnegative real scalars (A sublinear functional on a real vector space).

[L2]

Dominated real linear functionals extend to the whole ambient real vector space (Hahn-Banach dominated extension theorem for real vector spaces).

[L3]

The nth Cesaro mean is σn(x)=1n+1∑k=0nxk (The Cesaro means σn=(x0+⋯+xn)/(n+1) and (C,1)-summability).

[L6]

A real sequence is a function on N, so bounded sequences are a special class of sequences in the sense of Sequences of reals: bounded, eventually, frequently, tails, subsequences.

Verification

technique · direct
1.1L1L3L4L5L6givenconstructalgebra

Define p:ℓ∞→R by p(x):=lim sup⁡n→∞σn(x). If x∈ℓ∞, choose M≥0 with ∣xn∣≤M for all n; then every Cesaro mean satisfies ∣σn(x)∣≤M, so [L4] shows that p(x) is an ordinary real number. Because σn(x+y)=σn(x)+σn(y) for every n, [L5] gives p(x+y)≤p(x)+p(y). Also σn(tx)=tσn(x) for every t≥0, so p(tx)=tp(x). Thus p is sublinear in the sense of [L1].

2.1L2L3L4step 1.1givenconstructalgebra

Let C⊆ℓ∞ be the set of sequences whose Cesaro means converge, and define λ(x):=lim⁡n→∞σn(x)(x∈C). Since σn(ax+by)=aσn(x)+bσn(y) for all real scalars a,b, the set C is a linear subspace and λ is linear. If x∈C, then the convergent sequence (σn(x)) has limit superior equal to its limit, so λ(x)≤p(x). Therefore [L2] yields a linear extension L:ℓ∞→R of λ with L≤p on all of ℓ∞.

3.1L3step 2.1givenalgebra

Let x=(xn)∈ℓ∞. Since x is bounded, there is M≥0 with ∣xn∣≤M for all n. Using [L3], σn(x−Sx)=1n+1∑k=0n(xk−xk+1)=x0−xn+1n+1. Hence ∣σn(x−Sx)∣≤∣x0∣+Mn+1→0, so x−Sx∈C and λ(x−Sx)=0. Since L extends λ, L(x−Sx)=0, that is, L(Sx)=L(x).

4.1step 2.1step 3.1∎

Step 2.1 gives the extension and domination properties, and step 3.1 gives shift invariance. Therefore L has all three properties listed in the example.

LemmaStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-09-05Open item page →

A Banach limit is positive, has norm one, is shift invariant, and lies between liminf and limsup

Statement

Let L:ℓ∞→R be a functional as in A Banach limit obtained from Hahn-Banach. Then:

  1. L is positive: if xn≥0 for all n, then L(x)≥0.
  2. L is shift invariant.
  3. ∥L∥=1 for the supremum norm on ℓ∞.
  4. For every bounded real sequence x, lim inf⁡n→∞xn≤L(x)≤lim sup⁡n→∞xn.

So L is a Banach limit.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A bounded real sequence x, its limit inferior and limit superior, and a functional L:ℓ∞→R with the three properties constructed in A Banach limit obtained from Hahn-Banach.

[L1]

The previous example gives a linear functional L extending Cesaro limit, dominated by lim sup⁡σn, and shift invariant (A Banach limit obtained from Hahn-Banach).

[L2]

For a real sequence, lim inf⁡xn and lim sup⁡xn are defined from tail infima and tail suprema (Limit superior and limit inferior of a real sequence as inf⁡nsup⁡k≥nxk and sup⁡ninf⁡k≥nxk in R‾).

[L3]

The Cesaro means of a constant sequence are equal to that constant (The Cesaro means σn=(x0+⋯+xn)/(n+1) and (C,1)-summability).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1L1L3givenalgebra

Shift invariance is part of [L1]. Let 1=(1,1,1,… ). By [L3], every Cesaro mean of 1 equals 1, so the extension property in [L1] gives L(1)=1. By linearity, L(c1)=c(c∈R).

1.2L1L4givenalgebra

Suppose xn≥0 for every n. Then every Cesaro mean of −x is nonpositive, so lim sup⁡n→∞σn(−x)≤0. The domination part of [L1] therefore gives −L(x)=L(−x)≤lim sup⁡n→∞σn(−x)≤0, hence L(x)≥0. So L is positive.

2.1step 1.1step 1.2givenalgebra

Let M:=∥x∥∞. Then −M1≤x≤M1 termwise, so the sequences M1−x and M1+x are pointwise nonnegative. By step 1.2, 0≤L(M1−x)=M−L(x)and0≤L(M1+x)=M+L(x). Thus ∣L(x)∣≤M=∥x∥∞, so ∥L∥≤1. Since step 1.1 gives L(1)=1 and ∥1∥∞=1, one also has ∥L∥≥1. Therefore ∥L∥=1.

2.2L1L2step 1.1step 1.2givenchoosealgebra

Write α:=lim inf⁡n→∞xn and β:=lim sup⁡n→∞xn. Let ε>0. By the definition in [L2], there is N∈N such that for all k≥N, α−ε≤xk≤β+ε. Hence every term of the shifted sequence SNx lies between the constant sequences (α−ε)1 and (β+ε)1. Using positivity from step 1.2, the constant-sequence values from step 1.1, and shift invariance from [L1], we get α−ε=L((α−ε)1)≤L(SNx)=L(x)≤L((β+ε)1)=β+ε.

3.1step 2.2∎

Since the inequalities of step 2.2 hold for every ε>0, one obtains α≤L(x)≤β. Together with steps 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1, this shows that L is a Banach limit.

CounterexampleConstruction: AI-adaptedVerification: AI-generatedprecheck passjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-09-05Open item page →

Hahn-Banach norm-preserving extensions need not be unique

Statement refuted

For a bounded linear functional on a subspace of a normed space, a norm-preserving Hahn-Banach extension to the whole space is unique.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The diagonal subspace M=span⁡{(1,1)}⊆(R2,∥⋅∥∞) and the functional f0(t,t)=t on M.

[L1]

For every c∈[−1,1], the functional Fc(a,b)=1+c2a+1−c2b is a norm-preserving extension of f0 (A codimension-one subspace can admit many norm-preserving Hahn-Banach extensions).

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1L1given

By [L1], the functionals F1(a,b)=aandF−1(a,b)=b are both norm-preserving extensions of f0.

2.1step 1.1givenalgebra

They agree on M, since F1(t,t)=t=F−1(t,t) for every (t,t)∈M, but they differ on (1,−1): F1(1,−1)=1≠−1=F−1(1,−1).

3.1step 1.1step 2.1∎

Thus the same functional on the same subspace has two distinct norm-preserving Hahn-Banach extensions. Therefore the uniqueness claim is false.

RemarkRemark: AI-adaptedProof: Not applicableOpen item page →

Two choice-theoretic questions beyond the local Hahn-Banach proof

Remark

The proof cost of the local Hahn-Banach theorem is summarized in The set-theoretic cost of Hahn-Banach. It is natural to ask what the extension principle alone, assumed over ZF, would imply:

  • Does it imply that R has a Hamel basis over Q?
  • Does it imply that there is a discontinuous additive map R→R?

These are questions, without an assertion of their current research status or an answer. Neither implication is a premise of the local extension proof.

Sources