11. Proximal Algorithms

11.1. Chapter Objectives

  • Proximal mappings

  • Existence and uniqueness of proximal mappings for proper, closed, convex functions

  • Proximal operators

11.2. Relevant results

We recall some results from previous chapters which will be helpful for the work in this chapter.

  • Sum of two closed functions is a closed function.

  • Some of a convex function with a strongly convex function is strongly convex.

  • A proper, closed and strongly convex function has a unique minimizer.

For some convex f:R(,]:

  • If f(u)=0, then u must be one of its minimizers.

  • If the minimizer of f exists and is not attained at any point of differentiability, then it must be attained at a point of nondifferentiability.