Definition. Let (X,d) be a metric space. T:XX is called a contraction mapping on X, if it is Lipschitz continuous with constant L[0,1).

Theorem (Banach fixed-point theorem). Let (X,d) be a non-empty, complete metric space, f:XX a contraction mapping with Lipschitz constant L[0,1). Then f admits an unique fixed point x in X. (i.e. f(x)=x)

Proof. First, we prove existence. Let a0X be an arbitrary point, nN+ let an=f(an-1). We may assume L[0,1):d(f(an),f(an-1))Ld(an,an-1). Thus, d(an+1,an)Ld(an,an-1)L2d(an-1,an-2)Lnd(a1,a0).

It follows that n,kN such that n<k, we have d(ak,an)d(ak,ak-1)++d(an+1,an)Lk-1d(a1,a0)++Lnd(a1,a0)Ln1-Ld(a1,a0), therefore εR+:N:N<n<k:d(an,ak)<ε.

Then, an is Cauchy. We may assume (X,d) is complete, therefore an is convergent. !a=limnan. Since f is Lipschitz, it is continuous, therefore limnf(an)=f(limnan)limnan+1=f(limnan)a=f(a).

Now, we prove uniqueness. Let a0,b0X and an+1=f(an),bn+1=f(bn). The sequences an,bn converge to fixed points a,b respectively, as shown above. Since f is Lipschitz, d(f(a),f(b))Ld(a,b)d(a,b)Ld(a,b). If d(a,b)>0, then d(a,b)d(a,b)L1L, which is a contradiction, therefore d(a,b)=0, hence a=b.

Pub: 2026-01-15 14:47 UTCEdit: 2026-01-15 14:47 UTCOwner:User avatarhelgaViews: 203