Basic short note on the definition of s2-convexity

I.M.R. Pinheiro∗

January 26, 2009

Abstract
In this little, but fundamental note, we reveal the missing secret
about Ks2 : Basically, we have forgotten a few cases included in
Convexity when working on its proper extension so far, and have
also not thought of the well-posedness rules, as for mathematical
definitions, when not spelling out an enthymeme for the definition
of Ks2 to make sense with its creational motivations. All the just
mentioned problems will be addressed and solved by us here.

AMS 30C45.
keywords: convex, S−convex,s2 −convex, s2 -convex, function, s−convex

1 Introduction
As seen in [Pinheiro 2008], the determination of the functional class Ks2
is provided by the following definitions:
Definition 1. A function f : X− > < is said to be s2 -convex if the
inequality
f (λx + (1 − λ)y) ≤ λs f (x) + (1 − λ)s f (y)
holds ∀λ ∈ [0, 1]; ∀x, y ∈ X; X ⊂ <+ .
Remark 1. If the complementary concept is verified, then f is said to
be s2 −concave.
Therefore, if we write about Convexity, sufficing making s = 1 on the
above inequality, we get:
Definition 2. A function f : X− > < is said to be convex if the in-
equality
f (λx + (1 − λ)y) ≤ λf (x) + (1 − λ)f (y)
holds ∀λ ∈ [0, 1]; ∀x, y ∈ X; X ⊂ <+ .
∗
RGMIA, e-mail: illmrpinheiro@gmail.com, Address: PO BOX 12396,
A’BECKETT ST, MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA, 8006

1
In this paper, we make use of the following sequence of presentation:

• Group of generators of counter-examples to the claim that s2 -

convexity, the way it is found defined so far, extends the concept
of Convexity properly;

• Proposed fixing in what regards the just mentioned counter-examples;

• Conclusion;

• References.

2 Counter-examples
Suppose f (x) = x2 − 5, and x ∈ [0, 2], what makes our function always
negative. We then have the following sequence of contradiction with the
definition of the class Ks2 , s 6= 1:

f (λx + (1 − λ)y) ≤ λs f (x) + (1 − λ)s f (y)

⇐⇒ (λx + (1 − λ)y)2 − 5 ≤ λs (x2 − 5) + (1 − λ)s (y 2 − 5)

what is clearly untrue for at least x = 0, y = 1, λ = 0.5, and s = 0.5.

As it is the case that the S-convexity phenomenon breaks the equality
of the linearity condition, in favor of the right side of the inequality,
unless the function in modulus equates its original value, we will hold
an untrue assertion when trying to apply the definition, as seen so far,
for S-convexity to convex functions of that sort. Therefore, it can only
be the case that the function f (x) = −x, and all functions alike, will only
be included in Ks2 if changes are made to its definition. The note, thus,
regards observing that no function with non-negative domain, and not
entirely null, will satisfy Ks2 pertinence requirements if |f (x)| 6= f (x),
on top of fixing the current definition for the S-convexity phenomenon.

3 Proposed fixing in the definition of Ks2

Definition 3. A function f : X− > <, where |f (x)| = f (x), is told to
belong to Ks2 if the inequality

f (λx + (1 − λ)y) ≤ λs f (x) + (1 − λ)s f (y)

holds ∀λ ∈ [0, 1]; ∀x, y ∈ X; s : 0 < s ≤ 1; X ⊆ <+ .

2
Definition 4. A function f : X− > <, where |f (x)| = −f (x), is told
to belong to Ks2 if the inequality
1 1
f (λx + (1 − λ)y) < λ s f (x) + (1 − λ) s f (y)

holds ∀λ ∈ [0, 1]; ∀x, y ∈ X; s : 0 < s ≤ 1; X ⊆ <+ .

Remark 2. If the complementary concept is verified, then f is said to

be s2 −concave.
Remark 3. Notice now that, with this small fixing on the definition, we
achieve the expected result: Whenever the value of the convex function
does not equate its modulus result, we then having a negative image,
we get a higher curve for limit by taking less negativity than we had,
originally, in the limiting curve when including the function in the group
of convex functions.

4 Conclusion
In this short note, we have produced needed fixing to the definition of
the functional class Ks2 . By now, several problems have ALSO been
noticed by us regarding Ks1 and we do intend to produce a note on that
definition as well soon. We deal with S−convexity little by little from
now onwards, due to both its relevance and controversial material up to
2001, when we started working with it.

5 References
[Pinheiro 2008] M. R. Pinheiro. Convexity Secrets. Trafford Publishing.
2008. ISBN: 1425138217.