Product Design, Manufacturing & Innovation Resources
Home » Brouwer Fixed-Point Theorem

Brouwer Fixed-Point Theorem

1911
  • L. E. J. Brouwer
Mathematician demonstrating Brouwer Fixed-Point Theorem with a crumpled map in an office.

(generated image for illustration only)

This theorem states that for any continuous function \(f\) mapping a compact convex set to itself, there is a point \(x_0\) such that \(f(x_0) = x_0\). This point is called a fixed point. Informally, if you take a map of a country, crumple it up, and place it inside the country’s borders, there will always be at least one point on the map directly above its corresponding real-world location.

The Brouwer fixed-point theorem is a cornerstone of fixed-point theory and has profound implications in many areas of mathematics. The theorem applies to any continuous function \(f: D^n \to D^n\), where \(D^n\) is the closed n-dimensional unit ball. The proof is non-constructive; it guarantees the existence of a fixed point but does not provide a method to find it. The proof for \(n=1\) is a simple consequence of the Intermediate Value Theorem. For higher dimensions, the proof is more complex and typically relies on tools from algebraic topology, such as homology or the concept of the degree of a map. One common proof strategy uses a retraction argument. It assumes, for the sake of contradiction, that a continuous function \(f: D^n \to D^n\) has no fixed point. One can then construct a continuous function (a retraction) \(r: D^n \to S^{n-1}\) from the disk to its boundary sphere, which can be shown to be impossible. The theorem’s power lies in its generality; it requires only continuity of the function and compactness and convexity of the domain, making it applicable to a wide range of problems where one needs to prove the existence of a solution or equilibrium state.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 1209
– Topology

Type

Abstract System

Disruption

Substantial

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • Intermediate Value Theorem by Bolzano and Cauchy
  • Work on existence theorems by Poincaré and Bohl
  • Development of algebraic topology by Henri Poincaré
  • Jacques Hadamard’s work on related problems

Applications

  • game theory (proving the existence of Nash equilibria)
  • economics (general equilibrium theory)
  • computer graphics (calculating object transformations)
  • numerical analysis (finding roots of equations)
  • control theory

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

Due to scrapping bot traffic, currently more than 40k per day, this content is reserved to community members.
> Login < or > Register < (100% free) to access this, so as all other restricted content and tools.

Related to: fixed-point theorem, Brouwer, continuous function, compact set, convex set, Nash equilibrium, game theory, algebraic topology.

Historical Context

Brouwer Fixed-Point Theorem

1895
1899
1900
1911
1922
1925
1928
1884
1896
1900
1903
1914
1924
1925
1930

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

Related Invention, Innovation & Technical Principles

Full size images and downloads are only available, 100% free, for registered members.

> Login <