Problem 11: Prove that the space C (smooth functions of compact support) is dense in L (with respect to the L topology) by following the steps below.
1. Given f ∈ L, consider the convolution with a rescaled bump function:
fe(x) := ∫ f(x-y) (y/e)dy
where φ is a non-negative C-smooth bump function supported in [1, 1], equal to 1 on [1/4,1/4] and with J = 1. Prove that fe is smooth for all e > 0, and check that if f has compact support, then fe has compact support too.
2. Approximate any f ∈ L by an L function of compact support g (use Dominated Convergence) and then show that ge - g in L' as ε → 0.
Hint: Review the proof about pointwise approximation using good kernels, and use continuity of translations. . .
What would you need for the same approximation result to hold for LP functions, p ∈ (1, ∞)?