Assume a discrete function $f\left(n\right)\geq 0$ for $n\in\mathcal{N}$. Can we say $f(n)$ is a convex function if $f(n+1)+f(n-1)-2f(n)\geq0$ ? I don't know why there is no such kind of expression for discrete function on Wikipedia.
How to judge a discrete function is convex or not?
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$\begingroup$
discrete-mathematics
convex-analysis
2 Answers
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$f(n)$ as defined by you is a sequence and such a sequence is called convex, exactly as you suggest. Have a look here for example.
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When you have a function $f:\mathbb N\to\mathbb R$ and want to apply some concept for functions defined on $\mathbb R$, the natural thing to do is to extend $f$ to be affine on each interval $[n,n+1]$, and consider the properties of this extension. In particular, the extension is a convex function if and only if $f(n+1)+f(n-1)-2f(n)\geq0$ for all $n$.
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1Sorry for bothering you a century after your answer, but by any chance, do you have some reference (or some easy proof) for the last statement ? – 2015-03-23