My ISI Interview Questions

1 . What is a " convex " function ?

2 . Prove that " y = x 2 " is a convex function .

3 . Out of 15 persons , 6 are girls while 9 are boys . We want the boys to form a line with increasing heights , and also the girls , but the heights of the girls and the boys are not to be compared . Find the number of such arrangements .

I did all of them ! YAY !

21 Answers

21
Shubhodip ·

''If the second derivative of f exists and f''(x)≥0 for all x ε I , then f is convex on the interval I "

though this is not the definition of convex function it is good enough to prove that a function is convex. No?

71
Vivek @ Born this Way ·

@nasiko. not at all!!! : -)

1
Ricky ·

Bangalore

39
Dr.House ·

u r going to banglore or kolkatta?

21
Shubhodip ·

The word ''sufficient'' has got some mathematical meaning..

however i am sorry if i hurt your emotions for ISI.

71
Vivek @ Born this Way ·

@nasiko.. yes it is sufficient .. but that won't fetch a ISI feel. :)

21
Shubhodip ·

why ?

f(x) = x2 f"(x) = 2 is not this sufficient to conclude f is convex?

f(x) = x4, f'(x) = 3x3 , f'(x) is increasing , is it not suff. to conclude thatf is convex?

''If the second derivative of f exists and f''(x)≥0 for all x ε I , then f is convex on the interval I "______Titu andreescu

'' if f is differentiable and f' is increasing then f is convex '' ___ Michael Spivak

341
Hari Shankar ·

In the given case, proving f"(x)≥0 will do.

But then in the prev question you would have to prove that this is equivalent to proving convexity

21
Shubhodip ·

I have written f''(x)≥0

1
Ricky ·

Take -

f ( x ) = x 4

It is most certainly a convex function . But is its double derivative always greater than zero ?

1
aditya ravichandran ·

from wiki-pedia

"

The distinction between convex, strictly convex, and strongly convex can be subtle at first glimpse. If f is twice continuously differentiable and the domain is the real line, then we can characterize it as follows:

f\,\! convex if and only if f''(x) \ge 0 for all x\,\!
f\,\! strictly convex if f''(x) > 0 \,\! for all x\,\! (note: this is sufficient, but not necessary)
f\,\! strongly convex if and only if f''(x) \ge m > 0 for all x\,\!

"

49
Subhomoy Bakshi ·

yo! :D
Buddy you r the best! :D
Congo! :D

Interviews are this much easy?? Or these are just the bait towards the trench? [3]

1
Ricky ·

Kreyszig , that is not the definition of a convex function .

Nasiko , your proof is correct . I did this one by showing that the area under the graph of the given parabola and any of its chord is greater than zero .

21
Shubhodip ·

we have the inequality 2(x2+y2)≥(x+y)2

or , ((x+y)/2)2≤(x2+y2)/2

so?? [5]

21
Shubhodip ·

wat else did they ask u ?

1
aditya ravichandran ·

f''(x)=2>0 for allx ,hence it is convex ?

1
Ricky ·

Yeah , it is alright kreyszig . By the way , how would you attempt qs. no. 2 ?

1
aditya ravichandran ·

ya same krishna ag :) lets us see if its right

·

is ans of the last one 15!/(6!*9!)

1
aditya ravichandran ·

ricky boss is the answer to the last question =15C6 ??

62
Lokesh Verma ·

Good work ricky [1]

So you let them know about ur knowledge ;) :D

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