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Let $X,Y,Z$ Banach spaces, $\text{dom}(S)\subset Y$, let $T:X\rightarrow Y$ be linear and continuous and let $S:\text{dom}(S)\rightarrow Z$ be linear and closed. Show that the composition $ST$ is also closed.

I think the open mapping theorem might be applicable, but I don't know weather $\text{dom}(S)\cap\text{Im}(T)$ is closed.

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2 Answers 2

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it is very straightforward. Let $(x_n) \in \mathrm{dom}(ST) = \{x \in X: Tx \in \mathrm{dom}(S)\}$, with $x_n \to x$ and $STx_n \to z$. Then, as $T$ is continuous, $Tx_n \to Tx$. Now $Tx_n \in \mathrm{dom}(S)$, and hence by closedness of $S$ and $S(Tx_n) \to z$ we have $Tx \in \mathrm{dom}(S)$ and $STx = z$. Hence $x \in \mathrm{dom}(ST)$ and $STx = z$.

So, $ST$ is closed.

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  • $\begingroup$ Why is $\text{dom}(ST)=\text{dom}(S)$? $\text{dom}(ST)\subset X$ and $\text{dom}(S)\subset Y$! $\endgroup$
    – Bolek
    Jul 15, 2012 at 9:56
  • $\begingroup$ Upps ... I'll correct it. $\endgroup$
    – martini
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:03
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By definition, a map as $S\circ T:T^{-1}\operatorname{dom}(S)\to Z$ is closed iff its graph $\Gamma(S\circ T)$ is closed in $X\times Z.$

Let be $\{x_n\}$ a sequence in $\operatorname{dom}(S\circ T)$ such that $x_n\to x$ and $S(Tx_n)\to y.$
Being $S$ closed by hypothesis, its graph $\Gamma(S)$ is closed in $Y\times Z$ therefore $Tx\in\operatorname{dom}(S)$ and $y=S(T(x)).$
So we get that $(x,y)=\lim_{n\to\infty}(x_n,(S\circ T)(x_n))\in\Gamma(S\circ T).$

By the arbitrariness of $(x_n)$ this means properly that $\Gamma(S\circ T)$ is closed in $X\times Z.$

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  • $\begingroup$ Doesn't the closed graph theorem state $F:A\rightarrow B$ is continuous iff it's graph is closed? $\endgroup$
    – Bolek
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:04
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, for a linear map $F:A\to B$ with $A$ and $B$ Banach spaces and $\text{dom}(F)=A$ the closedness condition and the continuity condition are equivalent. $\endgroup$
    – agt
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:12
  • $\begingroup$ Why is this? If $F$ is surjective this follows from the open mapping theorem, but what if $F$ is not surjective? $\endgroup$
    – Bolek
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:15
  • $\begingroup$ One moment please, in your problem the closed graph and the open mapping theorems don't play any role. In my answer what we need is only the definition of closed operators between Banach spaces (cf. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_operator). $\endgroup$
    – agt
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:38
  • $\begingroup$ I confused closed map with closed operator! Thank you $\endgroup$
    – Bolek
    Jul 15, 2012 at 10:59

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