Strictly less then $o$ noation.












0












$begingroup$


We know that $f in o(n)$ if $f(n)$ is strictly less than $n$, i.e., $lim_{n}f(n)/n = 0$.



What do we mean by saying that $f(n) < o(n)$?



Does it means that $f(n) in o(sqrt{n})$ for example?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    "strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
    $endgroup$
    – Yves Daoust
    Jan 17 at 14:00
















0












$begingroup$


We know that $f in o(n)$ if $f(n)$ is strictly less than $n$, i.e., $lim_{n}f(n)/n = 0$.



What do we mean by saying that $f(n) < o(n)$?



Does it means that $f(n) in o(sqrt{n})$ for example?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    "strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
    $endgroup$
    – Yves Daoust
    Jan 17 at 14:00














0












0








0





$begingroup$


We know that $f in o(n)$ if $f(n)$ is strictly less than $n$, i.e., $lim_{n}f(n)/n = 0$.



What do we mean by saying that $f(n) < o(n)$?



Does it means that $f(n) in o(sqrt{n})$ for example?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$




We know that $f in o(n)$ if $f(n)$ is strictly less than $n$, i.e., $lim_{n}f(n)/n = 0$.



What do we mean by saying that $f(n) < o(n)$?



Does it means that $f(n) in o(sqrt{n})$ for example?







real-analysis functions cryptography






share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question











share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question










asked Jan 17 at 13:57









C.S.C.S.

235




235








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    "strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
    $endgroup$
    – Yves Daoust
    Jan 17 at 14:00














  • 1




    $begingroup$
    "strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
    $endgroup$
    – Yves Daoust
    Jan 17 at 14:00








1




1




$begingroup$
"strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
$endgroup$
– Yves Daoust
Jan 17 at 14:00




$begingroup$
"strictly less than" is not the right way to put it (for example, $n/2$ is strictly less than $n$ but the limit is finite).
$endgroup$
– Yves Daoust
Jan 17 at 14:00










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















1












$begingroup$

I've never seen this notation.



What seems like a sensible interpretation would be that $f<o(g)$ if "$f$ is even smaller than $o(g)$" (or perhaps "$f=o(o((g))$"), meaning that there exists $h$ such that $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



Except that that's a little silly, because it's not hard to see that with that definition we have $f<o(g)$ if and only if $f=o(g)$.



Edit: It's been stated that the equivalence mentioned above is false. So here's a proof:



Suppose $f=o(g)$. Wlog $gge0$. This says that $$lim_{ntoinfty}frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}=0.$$



Since $|f(n)|/g(n)ge0$ there exists a function $phi(n)ge0$ with $$phi(n)^2=frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}.$$So of course $phi(n)to0$.



Let $h(n)=phi(n)g(n)$. Then $$frac{|f(n)|}{h(n)}=frac{h(n)}{g(n)}=phi(n),$$so $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



Oops: It's possible that there is some division by $0$ above. Of course the values of $n$ for which we divided by $0$ don't matter; we leave it to the reader to construct a formally correct proof. (Instead of saying $f=o(g)$ means $f/gto0$ one should say that for every $epsilon>0$ there exists $N$ so that $|f(n)|le epsilon g(n)$ for all $nge N$.)






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    0












    $begingroup$

    $f(n)<o(n)$ makes no sense.



    Any function that grows slower than $n$ is denoted with $f(n)=o(n)$ (or $f(n)in o(n)$).



    If you want to say "grows slower than a function that grows slower than $n$", $f(n)=o(g(n))$, where $g(n)=o(n)$ or $g$ is given explictly.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
      $endgroup$
      – David C. Ullrich
      Jan 17 at 14:11












    • $begingroup$
      @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
      $endgroup$
      – Yves Daoust
      Jan 17 at 14:34










    • $begingroup$
      Really? Counterexample?
      $endgroup$
      – David C. Ullrich
      Jan 17 at 14:37










    • $begingroup$
      @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
      $endgroup$
      – Yves Daoust
      Jan 17 at 14:46








    • 1




      $begingroup$
      When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
      $endgroup$
      – David C. Ullrich
      Jan 17 at 14:49













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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    active

    oldest

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    1












    $begingroup$

    I've never seen this notation.



    What seems like a sensible interpretation would be that $f<o(g)$ if "$f$ is even smaller than $o(g)$" (or perhaps "$f=o(o((g))$"), meaning that there exists $h$ such that $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



    Except that that's a little silly, because it's not hard to see that with that definition we have $f<o(g)$ if and only if $f=o(g)$.



    Edit: It's been stated that the equivalence mentioned above is false. So here's a proof:



    Suppose $f=o(g)$. Wlog $gge0$. This says that $$lim_{ntoinfty}frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}=0.$$



    Since $|f(n)|/g(n)ge0$ there exists a function $phi(n)ge0$ with $$phi(n)^2=frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}.$$So of course $phi(n)to0$.



    Let $h(n)=phi(n)g(n)$. Then $$frac{|f(n)|}{h(n)}=frac{h(n)}{g(n)}=phi(n),$$so $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



    Oops: It's possible that there is some division by $0$ above. Of course the values of $n$ for which we divided by $0$ don't matter; we leave it to the reader to construct a formally correct proof. (Instead of saying $f=o(g)$ means $f/gto0$ one should say that for every $epsilon>0$ there exists $N$ so that $|f(n)|le epsilon g(n)$ for all $nge N$.)






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$


















      1












      $begingroup$

      I've never seen this notation.



      What seems like a sensible interpretation would be that $f<o(g)$ if "$f$ is even smaller than $o(g)$" (or perhaps "$f=o(o((g))$"), meaning that there exists $h$ such that $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



      Except that that's a little silly, because it's not hard to see that with that definition we have $f<o(g)$ if and only if $f=o(g)$.



      Edit: It's been stated that the equivalence mentioned above is false. So here's a proof:



      Suppose $f=o(g)$. Wlog $gge0$. This says that $$lim_{ntoinfty}frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}=0.$$



      Since $|f(n)|/g(n)ge0$ there exists a function $phi(n)ge0$ with $$phi(n)^2=frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}.$$So of course $phi(n)to0$.



      Let $h(n)=phi(n)g(n)$. Then $$frac{|f(n)|}{h(n)}=frac{h(n)}{g(n)}=phi(n),$$so $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



      Oops: It's possible that there is some division by $0$ above. Of course the values of $n$ for which we divided by $0$ don't matter; we leave it to the reader to construct a formally correct proof. (Instead of saying $f=o(g)$ means $f/gto0$ one should say that for every $epsilon>0$ there exists $N$ so that $|f(n)|le epsilon g(n)$ for all $nge N$.)






      share|cite|improve this answer











      $endgroup$
















        1












        1








        1





        $begingroup$

        I've never seen this notation.



        What seems like a sensible interpretation would be that $f<o(g)$ if "$f$ is even smaller than $o(g)$" (or perhaps "$f=o(o((g))$"), meaning that there exists $h$ such that $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



        Except that that's a little silly, because it's not hard to see that with that definition we have $f<o(g)$ if and only if $f=o(g)$.



        Edit: It's been stated that the equivalence mentioned above is false. So here's a proof:



        Suppose $f=o(g)$. Wlog $gge0$. This says that $$lim_{ntoinfty}frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}=0.$$



        Since $|f(n)|/g(n)ge0$ there exists a function $phi(n)ge0$ with $$phi(n)^2=frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}.$$So of course $phi(n)to0$.



        Let $h(n)=phi(n)g(n)$. Then $$frac{|f(n)|}{h(n)}=frac{h(n)}{g(n)}=phi(n),$$so $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



        Oops: It's possible that there is some division by $0$ above. Of course the values of $n$ for which we divided by $0$ don't matter; we leave it to the reader to construct a formally correct proof. (Instead of saying $f=o(g)$ means $f/gto0$ one should say that for every $epsilon>0$ there exists $N$ so that $|f(n)|le epsilon g(n)$ for all $nge N$.)






        share|cite|improve this answer











        $endgroup$



        I've never seen this notation.



        What seems like a sensible interpretation would be that $f<o(g)$ if "$f$ is even smaller than $o(g)$" (or perhaps "$f=o(o((g))$"), meaning that there exists $h$ such that $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



        Except that that's a little silly, because it's not hard to see that with that definition we have $f<o(g)$ if and only if $f=o(g)$.



        Edit: It's been stated that the equivalence mentioned above is false. So here's a proof:



        Suppose $f=o(g)$. Wlog $gge0$. This says that $$lim_{ntoinfty}frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}=0.$$



        Since $|f(n)|/g(n)ge0$ there exists a function $phi(n)ge0$ with $$phi(n)^2=frac{|f(n)|}{g(n)}.$$So of course $phi(n)to0$.



        Let $h(n)=phi(n)g(n)$. Then $$frac{|f(n)|}{h(n)}=frac{h(n)}{g(n)}=phi(n),$$so $f=o(h)$ and $h=o(g)$.



        Oops: It's possible that there is some division by $0$ above. Of course the values of $n$ for which we divided by $0$ don't matter; we leave it to the reader to construct a formally correct proof. (Instead of saying $f=o(g)$ means $f/gto0$ one should say that for every $epsilon>0$ there exists $N$ so that $|f(n)|le epsilon g(n)$ for all $nge N$.)







        share|cite|improve this answer














        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer








        edited Jan 17 at 15:03

























        answered Jan 17 at 14:10









        David C. UllrichDavid C. Ullrich

        61k43994




        61k43994























            0












            $begingroup$

            $f(n)<o(n)$ makes no sense.



            Any function that grows slower than $n$ is denoted with $f(n)=o(n)$ (or $f(n)in o(n)$).



            If you want to say "grows slower than a function that grows slower than $n$", $f(n)=o(g(n))$, where $g(n)=o(n)$ or $g$ is given explictly.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:11












            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:34










            • $begingroup$
              Really? Counterexample?
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:37










            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:46








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:49


















            0












            $begingroup$

            $f(n)<o(n)$ makes no sense.



            Any function that grows slower than $n$ is denoted with $f(n)=o(n)$ (or $f(n)in o(n)$).



            If you want to say "grows slower than a function that grows slower than $n$", $f(n)=o(g(n))$, where $g(n)=o(n)$ or $g$ is given explictly.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$













            • $begingroup$
              In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:11












            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:34










            • $begingroup$
              Really? Counterexample?
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:37










            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:46








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:49
















            0












            0








            0





            $begingroup$

            $f(n)<o(n)$ makes no sense.



            Any function that grows slower than $n$ is denoted with $f(n)=o(n)$ (or $f(n)in o(n)$).



            If you want to say "grows slower than a function that grows slower than $n$", $f(n)=o(g(n))$, where $g(n)=o(n)$ or $g$ is given explictly.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            $f(n)<o(n)$ makes no sense.



            Any function that grows slower than $n$ is denoted with $f(n)=o(n)$ (or $f(n)in o(n)$).



            If you want to say "grows slower than a function that grows slower than $n$", $f(n)=o(g(n))$, where $g(n)=o(n)$ or $g$ is given explictly.







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Jan 17 at 14:03









            Yves DaoustYves Daoust

            128k675227




            128k675227












            • $begingroup$
              In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:11












            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:34










            • $begingroup$
              Really? Counterexample?
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:37










            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:46








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:49




















            • $begingroup$
              In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:11












            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:34










            • $begingroup$
              Really? Counterexample?
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:37










            • $begingroup$
              @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
              $endgroup$
              – Yves Daoust
              Jan 17 at 14:46








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
              $endgroup$
              – David C. Ullrich
              Jan 17 at 14:49


















            $begingroup$
            In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:11






            $begingroup$
            In fact "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" is equivalent to "$f=o(n)$".
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:11














            $begingroup$
            @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
            $endgroup$
            – Yves Daoust
            Jan 17 at 14:34




            $begingroup$
            @DavidC.Ullrich: it is not equivalent. It implies it, but not conversely.
            $endgroup$
            – Yves Daoust
            Jan 17 at 14:34












            $begingroup$
            Really? Counterexample?
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:37




            $begingroup$
            Really? Counterexample?
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:37












            $begingroup$
            @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Yves Daoust
            Jan 17 at 14:46






            $begingroup$
            @DavidC.Ullrich Take $g(n)=sqrt n=o(n)$. $f=o(n)nRightarrow f=o(g)$.
            $endgroup$
            – Yves Daoust
            Jan 17 at 14:46






            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:49






            $begingroup$
            When I wrote "$f=o(g)$ where $g=o(n)$" I meant "there exists $g$ such that $f=o(g)$ and $g=o(n)$." A counterexample to that cannnot begin by specifying $g$.
            $endgroup$
            – David C. Ullrich
            Jan 17 at 14:49




















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