Convex up to a reparametrization

Given a function {f\colon \mathbb R\rightarrow \mathbb R}, we have several ways of checking if it is convex. But how to recognize the functions that are convex up to a reparametrization, meaning that there is a homeomorphism {h} of the real line such that the composition {g = f\circ h} is convex?

Let’s start by listing some necessary conditions for {f} to have this property.

1. Since convex functions are continuous, {f} must be continuous.

2. Convex functions are quasiconvex, meaning that each sublevel set {U_t = \{x\colon g(x) < t\}} is convex (in this case, an open interval). This property is preserved under reparametrization. So, {f} must be quasiconvex as well.

3. Nonconstant convex functions are unbounded above. So, {f} must have this property too.

Is this all? No. For example, let {f(x) = -x} if {x< 0} and {f(x)=\arctan x} if {x\ge 0}. This is a continuous quasiconvex function that is unbounded above. But it can’t be made convex by a reparametrization, because as {x\rightarrow +\infty}, it increases while staying bounded. This leads to another condition:

4. If {f} is not monotone, then its limits as {x\rightarrow+\infty} and {x\rightarrow -\infty} must both be {+\infty}.

And still we are not done. The function

{f(x) = \begin{cases} x+1, \quad &x<-1 \\ 0, \quad & -1 \le x\le 1 \\ x-1, \quad & x>1 \end{cases} }

satisfies all of 1–4. But it has a flat spot (the interval {[-1,1]} where it is constant) which does not achieve its minimum. This can’t happen to convex functions: if a convex function is constant on an interval, then (by virtue of being above its tangent lines) it has to attain its minimum there. This leads to the 5th condition:

5. {f} is either strictly monotone, or attains its minimum on some closed interval {I_{\min}(f)} (possibly unbounded or a single point). In the latter case, it is strictly monotone on each component of {\mathbb R\setminus I_{\min}(f)}.

Finally, we have enough: together, 1–5 is the necessary and sufficient condition for {f} to be convex up to a reparametrization. The proof of sufficiency turns out to be easy. A continuous strictly monotone function is a homeomorphism between its domain and range. The strictly monotone (and unbounded) parts of {f} give us homeomorphisms such that the composition of {f} with them is affine. Consequently, there is a homeomorphism {h} of the real line such that {f\circ h} is one of the following five functions:

  1. {g(x) \equiv 1} if {I_{\min}(f) = \mathbb R}
  2. {g(x) = \max(x,0)} if {I_{\min}(f)} is unbounded, but not all of {\mathbb R}
  3. {g(x) = \max(|x|-1, 0)} if {I_{\min}(f)} is a bounded nondegenerate interval
  4. {g(x) =|x|} if {I_{\min}(f)} is a single point
  5. {g(x) =x} if {I_{\min}(f)} is empty

Incidentally, we also see there are five equivalence classes of convex functions on {\mathbb R}, the equivalence being any homeomorphic change of variables.

What functions on {\mathbb R^n} are convex up to reparametrization? Unclear. (Related Math SE question)


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