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A function f is concave over a convex set if and only if the function −f is a convex function over the set. The sum of two concave functions is itself concave and so is the pointwise minimum of two concave functions, i.e. the set of concave functions on a given domain form a semifield.
In simple terms, a convex function graph is shaped like a cup (or a straight line like a linear function), while a concave function's graph is shaped like a cap . A twice- differentiable function of a single variable is convex if and only if its second derivative is nonnegative on its entire domain . [ 1 ]
For example, the problem of maximizing a concave function can be re-formulated equivalently as the problem of minimizing the convex function . The problem of maximizing a concave function over a convex set is commonly called a convex optimization problem. [8]
A log-concave function is also quasi-concave. This follows from the fact that the logarithm is monotone implying that the superlevel sets of this function are convex. [1] Every concave function that is nonnegative on its domain is log-concave. However, the reverse does not necessarily hold.
In mathematics, concavification is the process of converting a non-concave function to a concave function. A related concept is convexification – converting a non-convex function to a convex function. It is especially important in economics and mathematical optimization. [1]
Convex analysis includes not only the study of convex subsets of Euclidean spaces but also the study of convex functions on abstract spaces. Convex analysis is the branch of mathematics devoted to the study of properties of convex functions and convex sets , often with applications in convex minimization , a subdomain of optimization theory .
For example, a solid cube is convex; however, anything that is hollow or dented, for example, a crescent shape, is non‑convex. Trivially , the empty set is convex. More formally, a set Q is convex if, for all points v 0 and v 1 in Q and for every real number λ in the unit interval [0,1] , the point
For every proper convex function : [,], there exist some and such that ()for every .. The sum of two proper convex functions is convex, but not necessarily proper. [4] For instance if the sets and are non-empty convex sets in the vector space, then the characteristic functions and are proper convex functions, but if = then + is identically equal to +.