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§12.3.1 The Wiener–Ikehara Theorem

12.3.1 The Wiener–Ikehara Theorem

Previously we have seen the subtle relation between 𝜁 and 𝜓. Given the properties of the Laplace transform of 𝜓∘exp and certain conditions established above, we apply now prove what is known as a Tauberian theorem to extract sufficient information (such as convergence) of the function itself.

For arbitrary 𝑥∈ℝ and 𝜆>0, define a triangular kernel cutoff by

𝐾𝜆(𝑥)={1−|𝑥|2𝜆|𝑥|<2𝜆0otherwise,supp𝐾𝜆=[−2𝜆,2𝜆],

and a normalized Fejér kernel by

𝑘𝜆(𝑥)={2𝜆2π(sin(𝜆𝑥)𝜆𝑥)2𝑥≠02𝜆2π𝑥=0.

The two kernels are related by a angular unitary Fourier transform:

Lemma 12.3.1.1.

For every 𝜆>0, we have that

ℱ︀{𝐾𝜆}(𝑥)=ℱ︀−1{𝐾𝜆}(𝑥)=𝑘𝜆(𝑥),ℱ︀{𝑘𝜆}(𝑥)=ℱ︀−1{𝑘𝜆}(𝑥)=𝐾𝜆(𝑥),

where we define

ℱ︀{𝑓}(𝑥)=12π∫−∞∞𝑓(𝑡)e−i𝑥𝑡d𝑡,ℱ︀−1{𝑓}(𝑥)=12π∫−∞∞𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡.
Proof.

The equivalence between the Fourier and inverse Fourier transforms follows from the evenness of both kernels. We hence prove only the forward transform equivalences.

Since supp𝐾𝜆=[−2𝜆,2𝜆], we have that

ℱ︀{𝐾𝜆}(𝑥)=12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆(1−|𝑡|2𝜆)e−i𝑥𝑡d𝑡=12π∫02𝜆(1−𝑡2𝜆)(e−i𝑥𝑡+ei𝑥𝑡)d𝑡=2π∫02𝜆(1−𝑡2𝜆)cos(𝑥𝑡)d𝑡=2π[sin(𝑥𝑡)𝑥|02𝜆−𝑡sin(𝑥𝑡)2𝜆𝑥|02𝜆+∫02𝜆sin(𝑥𝑡)2𝜆𝑥d𝑡]=2π[sin(2𝜆𝑥)𝑥−sin(2𝜆𝑥)𝑥−cos(𝑥𝑡)2𝜆𝑥2|02𝜆]=2π[1−cos(2𝜆𝑥)]2𝜆𝑥2=2𝜆2π(sin(𝜆𝑥)𝜆𝑥)2=𝑘𝜆(𝑥).

On the other hand,

ℱ︀{𝑘𝜆}(𝑥)=2𝜆2π∫−∞∞(sin(𝜆𝑡)𝜆𝑡)2e−i𝑥𝑡d𝑡=2π𝜆∫0∞sin2(𝜆𝑡)𝑡2cos(𝑥𝑡)d𝑡=1π𝜆∫0∞1−cos(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡2cos(𝑥𝑡)d𝑡.

Let 𝐼(𝑥)=∫0∞1−cos(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡2cos(𝑥𝑡)d𝑡. Differentiation under the integral sign yields

d𝐼d𝑥=∫0∞𝜕𝜕𝑥(1−cos(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡2cos(𝑥𝑡))d𝑡=∫0∞(cos(2𝜆𝑡)−1𝑡)sin(𝑥𝑡)d𝑡.

By the product-to-sum formulas, this can be rewritten as

d𝐼d𝑥=∫0∞sin((𝑥+2𝜆)𝑡)2𝑡d𝑡+∫0∞sin((𝑥−2𝜆)𝑡)2𝑡d𝑡−∫0∞sin(𝑥𝑡)𝑡d𝑡=I+II−III.

By substituting 𝑢=𝑡(𝑥+2𝜆), we have that

I=∫0±∞sin𝑢2𝑢d𝑢,where±∞={+∞𝑥+2𝜆>0−∞𝑥+2𝜆<0

and substituting 𝑢=𝑡(𝑥−2𝜆) gives

II=∫0±∞sin𝑢2𝑢d𝑢,where±∞={+∞𝑥−2𝜆>0−∞𝑥−2𝜆<0.

By the Dirichlet integral ∫0∞sin𝑢𝑢d𝑢=π2, we have that

I=π4sgn(𝑥+2𝜆),II=π4sgn(𝑥−2𝜆).

Similarly, III=π2sgn(𝑥). Hence,

d𝐼d𝑥=π4[sgn(𝑥+2𝜆)+sgn(𝑥−2𝜆)−2sgn(𝑥)]=π2{0|𝑥|>2𝜆1−2𝜆<𝑥<0−10<𝑥<2𝜆,

and

𝐼(0)+∫0𝑥d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡=𝐼(0)+{∫0−2𝜆d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡+∫−2𝜆𝑥d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡𝑥<−2𝜆∫0𝑥d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡−2𝜆<𝑥<0∫0𝑥d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡0<𝑥<2𝜆∫02𝜆d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡+∫2𝜆𝑥d𝐼d𝑡d𝑡𝑥>2𝜆

which after simplification, becomes

𝐼(𝑥)=𝐼(0)+π{−𝜆𝑥<−2𝜆𝑥2−2𝜆<𝑥<0−𝑥20<𝑥<2𝜆−𝜆𝑥>2𝜆.

Since

𝐼(0)=∫0∞1−cos(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡2d𝑡=cos(2𝜆𝑡)−1𝑡|0∞+∫0∞2𝜆sin(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡d𝑡=lim𝑡→01−cos(2𝜆𝑡)𝑡+2𝜆π2=π𝜆,

we obtain

𝐼={0𝑥<−2𝜆π(𝜆+𝑥2)−2𝜆<𝑥<0π(𝜆−𝑥2)0<𝑥<2𝜆0𝑥>2𝜆⟹ℱ︀{𝑘𝜆}(𝑥)={0𝑥<−2𝜆1+𝑥2𝜆−2𝜆<𝑥<01−𝑥2𝜆0<𝑥<2𝜆0𝑥>2𝜆,

which confirms the second equivalence. ⁠□

We note that, in a distribution-theoretic treatment, it would suffice to prove one of the above identities, the other then following immediately from Fourier inversion and the Dirac delta. Without the framework of distributions however, the use of the Dirac delta is generally unjustified. For completeness, we have instead given a direct classical proof.

Definition 12.3.1.2.

A function 𝑓:ℝ→ℝ is said to be slowly decreasing if

lim inf𝛿→0+lim inf𝑥→∞[𝑓(𝑥+𝛿)−𝑓(𝑥)]≥0,

or equivalently, for every 𝜀>0, ∃𝑥0, ∃𝛿>0 such that

∀𝑥,𝑦>𝑥0,0<𝑦−𝑥<𝛿⟹𝑓(𝑦)−𝑓(𝑥)>−𝜀.

Proposition 12.3.1.3.

Let 𝑓:ℝ→ℝ be a slowly decreasing function bounded by 𝑀>0. If the limit of the convolution 𝑓∗𝑘𝜆 given by

𝐿≡lim𝑥→∞12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)=lim𝑥→∞12π∫−∞∞𝑓(𝑡)𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)d𝑡
is independent of 𝜆>0, then lim𝑥→∞𝑓(𝑥)=𝐿.
Proof.

Let 𝜀>0 be arbitrary. Assume, for the sake of contradiction, that 𝑓 does not converge to 𝐿 as 𝑥→∞. Then there exists some sequence {𝑥𝑛}𝑛∈ℕ (𝑥𝑛→∞) such that |𝑓(𝑥𝑛)−𝐿|>𝜀 for all 𝑛. From here, by the infinite pigeonhole principle we may extract an infinite subsequence (continued to be denoted by {𝑥𝑛}) such that one of the two cases is assumed:

  1. 𝑓(𝑥𝑛)−𝐿>𝜀 for all 𝑛∈ℕ. By the slow decrease of 𝑓, there exist 𝛿>0 and 𝑁∈ℕ such that

    𝑓(𝑦)>𝑓(𝑥𝑛)−𝜀2>𝐿+𝜀2

    for any 𝑛>𝑁 and 0<𝑦−𝑥𝑛<2𝛿. Then we have for any such 𝑛 and 𝑦=𝑥𝑛+𝛿, that

    12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛+𝛿)=12π∫−∞∞𝑓(𝑡)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛+𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡=12π(∫𝑥𝑛𝑥𝑛+2𝛿+∫−∞𝑥𝑛+∫𝑥𝑛+2𝛿∞)𝑓(𝑡)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛+𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡>12π∫𝑥𝑛𝑥𝑛+2𝛿(𝐿+𝜀2)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛+𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡−𝑀2π(∫−∞𝑥𝑛+∫𝑥𝑛+2𝛿∞)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛+𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡>2𝐿+𝜀22π∫𝑥𝑛𝑥𝑛+2𝛿𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛+𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡−𝑀2π(∫𝛿∞+∫−∞−𝛿)𝑘𝜆(𝑢)d𝑢.

    Now observe that

    ∫−∞∞(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡=−sin2𝑡𝑡|−∞∞+∫𝑡∈ℝdsin2𝑡𝑡=∫−∞∞sin(2𝑡)𝑡d𝑡=π.(12.3.1.1)

    Because

    12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛+𝛿)≥2𝐿+𝜀22π∫−𝛿𝛿2𝜆2π(sin(𝜆𝑢)𝜆𝑢)2d𝑢−2𝑀π∫𝛿𝜆∞(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡,

    by letting 𝜆→∞ (which retains the inequality by the independence assumption), we have from (12.3.1.1)(12.3.1.8)(12.3.1.1), that

    2𝐿+𝜀2π∫−𝛿𝜆𝛿𝜆(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡−2𝑀π∫𝛿𝜆∞(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡→2𝐿+𝜀2π∫−∞∞(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡=𝐿+𝜀2.
    Because lim𝑛→∞12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛+𝛿)=𝐿≥𝐿+𝜀2, we reach a contradiction.
  2. 𝑓(𝑥𝑛)−𝐿<−𝜀. Then there exist 𝛿>0, 𝑁∈ℕ such that

    𝑓(𝑥𝑛)−𝑓(𝑦)>−𝜀2⟹𝑓(𝑦)<𝑓(𝑥𝑛)+𝜀2<𝐿−𝜀2

    for any 𝑛>𝑁 and 0<𝑥𝑛−𝑦<2𝛿. Splitting the convolution integral into ∫−∞𝑥𝑛−2𝛿, ∫𝑥𝑛−2𝛿𝑥𝑛, and ∫𝑥𝑛∞, we have

    12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛−𝛿)=12π∫−∞∞𝑓(𝑡)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛−𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡=12π(∫−∞𝑥𝑛−2𝛿+∫𝑥𝑛−2𝛿𝑥𝑛+∫𝑥𝑛∞)𝑓(𝑡)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛−𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡<𝑀2π(∫−∞𝑥𝑛−2𝛿+∫𝑥𝑛∞)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛−𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡+12π∫𝑥𝑛−2𝛿𝑥𝑛(𝐿−𝜀2)𝑘𝜆(𝑥𝑛−𝛿−𝑡)d𝑡<𝑀2π(∫−∞−𝛿+∫𝛿∞)𝑘𝜆(𝑢)d𝑢+2𝐿−𝜀22π∫−𝛿𝛿𝑘𝜆(𝑢)d𝑢.
    Letting 𝜆→∞, we have similarly that lim𝑛→∞12π(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛−𝛿)≤𝐿−𝜀2, contradicting lim𝑛→∞(𝑓∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥𝑛−𝛿)=𝐿. □

Lemma 12.3.1.4 (Riemann–Lebesgue).

Let 𝑎,𝑏∈ℝ with 𝑎<𝑏. Let 𝑓:[𝑎,𝑏]→ℂ be continuous. Then

lim𝑥→∞∫𝑎𝑏𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡=0.
Proof.

By the Heine–Cantor Theorem (Theorem 1.2.26Theorem 1.2.26Theorem 1.2.26), 𝑓 is uniformly continuous. Hence, for any 𝜀>0, there exists a partition

𝑎=𝑡0<𝑡1<…<𝑡𝑛=𝑏

such that

|𝑓(𝑡)−𝑓(𝑡𝑘)|<𝜀2(𝑏−𝑎)

whenever 𝑡𝑘≤𝑡≤𝑡𝑘+1. Writing

∫𝑎𝑏𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡=∑𝑘=0𝑛−1∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡=∑𝑘=0𝑛−1∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1(𝑓(𝑡)−𝑓(𝑡𝑘))ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡+∑𝑘=0𝑛−1𝑓(𝑡𝑘)∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡,

we obtain

|∑𝑘=0𝑛−1∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1(𝑓(𝑡)−𝑓(𝑡𝑘))ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡|≤∑𝑘=0𝑛−1∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1|𝑓(𝑡)−𝑓(𝑡𝑘)|d𝑡<𝜀2.

Moreover,

∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡=ei𝑥𝑡𝑘+1−ei𝑥𝑡𝑘i𝑥,

and therefore

|∑𝑘=0𝑛−1𝑓(𝑡𝑘)∫𝑡𝑘𝑡𝑘+1ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡|≤2𝑥∑𝑘=0𝑛−1|𝑓(𝑡𝑘)|.

Since the latter tends to 0 as 𝑥→∞, there exists 𝑥0>0 such that

2𝑥∑𝑘=0𝑛−1|𝑓(𝑡𝑘)|<𝜀2

for all 𝑥>𝑥0. Consequently,

|∫𝑎𝑏𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡|<𝜀

for all 𝑥>𝑥0. Since 𝜀>0 was arbitrary, it follows that

lim𝑥→∞∫𝑎𝑏𝑓(𝑡)ei𝑥𝑡d𝑡=0.□

Theorem 12.3.1.5 (Wiener–Ikehara).

Let 𝑓:ℝ≥0→ℝ be a nonnegative, monotonically non-decreasing function such that the Laplace transform

ℒ︀{𝑓}(𝑠)=∫0∞𝑓(𝑥)e−𝑠𝑥d𝑥(12.3.1.2)

converges for ℜ𝔢𝑠>1. Suppose that there exists some constant 𝑐>0 such that

𝑔(𝑡)=lim𝜎→1+[ℒ︀{𝑓}(𝑠)−𝑐𝑠−1],𝑠=𝜎+i𝑡(12.3.1.3)

converges locally uniformly with respect to 𝑡 in ℝ and is continuous. Then

lim𝑥→∞𝑓(𝑥)e𝑥=𝑐.(12.3.1.4)
Proof.

Let

𝑎(𝑡)={𝑓(𝑡)e−𝑡𝑡≥00𝑡<0,𝐴(𝑡)={𝑐𝑡≥00𝑡<0.

The convergence of (12.3.1.2)(12.3.1.9)(12.3.1.2) implies that for 𝜀,𝜆>0, the convolution

𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=12π∫−∞∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)(𝑎(𝑡)−𝐴(𝑡)e𝜀𝑡)d𝑡

converges. Since

∫−∞∞(𝑎(𝑡)−𝐴(𝑡)e(𝜀+i𝑦)𝑡)d𝑡

converges uniformly for |𝑦|<2𝜆 (as the integrand is uniformly bounded by |𝑎(𝑡)|e−𝜀𝑡+|𝐴(𝑡)|e−𝜀𝑡, where both terms have convergent integrals), we have by virtue of Lemma 12.3.1.1Lemma 12.3.1.1Lemma 12.3.1.1, that

𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=12π∫−∞∞(𝑎(𝑡)−𝐴(𝑡)e𝜀𝑡)∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)ei(𝑥−𝑡)𝑦d𝑦d𝑡=12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)ei𝑥𝑦∫0∞𝑎(𝑡)−𝐴(𝑡)e(𝜀+i𝑦)𝑡d𝑡d𝑦=12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)ei𝑥𝑦[ℒ︀{𝑓}(1+𝜀+i𝑦)−𝑐𝜀+i𝑦]d𝑦.

Now ∀𝜀′>0, by the local uniform convergence of 𝑔 in (12.3.1.3)(12.3.1.10)(12.3.1.3), there exists some 𝛿>0 such that for any 𝜀<𝛿,

∀|𝑦|<2𝜆,|ℒ︀{𝑓}(1+𝜀+i𝑦)−𝑐𝜀+i𝑦−𝑔(𝑦)|<π𝜀′𝜆.

Hence, we have that

|𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)−12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)ei𝑥𝑦𝑔(𝑦)d𝑦|≤12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)π𝜀′𝜆d𝑦=𝜀′.

Therefore,

lim𝜀→0+𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=12π∫−2𝜆2𝜆𝐾𝜆(𝑦)ei𝑥𝑦𝑔(𝑦)d𝑦,

(effectively, we have exchanged the limit with the integral). Then by the Riemann–Lebesgue Lemma (Lemma 12.3.1.4Lemma 12.3.1.4Lemma 12.3.1.4),

lim𝑥→∞lim𝜀→0+𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=0.(12.3.1.5)

On the other hand, a manual calculation while restricting the integation range yields

lim𝜀→0+𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=lim𝜀→0+12π(∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡−∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝐴(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡).

Using that ∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑐d𝑡 dominates the second integrand and forms a convergent integral, Lebesgue’s Dominated Convergence Theorem then gives

lim𝜀→0+𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=lim𝜀→0+12π[∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡−(𝐴∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)]

Since for any postive 𝑡0,

∫0𝑡0𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡≤∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡

where the left-hand side is dominated by the finite integral ∫0𝑡0𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)d𝑡, letting 𝜀→0+ (which now may be passed through the left-hand side integral) gives

∫0𝑡0𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)d𝑡≤lim𝜀→0+∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡

Since this holds for all 𝑡0, letting 𝑡0→∞ gives

∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)d𝑡≤lim𝜀→0+∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡

Additionally, the reverse inequality

lim𝜀→0+∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)e−𝜀𝑡d𝑡≤∫0∞𝑘𝜆(𝑥−𝑡)𝑎(𝑡)d𝑡

is also true as e−𝜀𝑡<1. Thus, we attain an equality. Therefore,

lim𝜀→0+𝐼𝜆,𝜀(𝑥)=12π(𝑎∗𝑘𝜆−𝐴∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)→0(by(12.3.1.5)(12.3.1.12)(12.3.1.5))

as 𝑥→∞. Since

12π(𝐴∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)=𝑐2π∫−∞𝑥𝑘𝜆(𝑢)d𝑢→𝑐2π∫−∞∞𝑘𝜆(𝑢)d𝑢=𝑐2π∫−∞∞2π(sin𝑢𝑢)2d𝑢=𝑐(by(12.3.1.1)(12.3.1.8)(12.3.1.1))

as 𝑥→∞, we have that

lim𝑥→∞12π(𝑎∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)=𝑐.(12.3.1.6)

Therefore, ∃𝑥0>0 such that

12π(𝑎∗𝑘𝜆)(𝑥)<𝑐+1⟹1π∫−∞∞(sin𝑡𝑡)2𝑎(𝑥−𝑡𝜆)d𝑡<𝑐+1

for all 𝑥>𝑥0. Substituting 𝑥+2𝜆 for 𝑥 in the integral, we have (after further restricting the integration bounds, which preserves the inequality)

∫−𝜆𝜆(sin𝑡𝑡)2𝑎(𝑥+2𝜆−𝑡𝜆)d𝑡<π(𝑐+1)

Since e𝑢𝑎(𝑢)=𝑓(𝑢) (for 𝑢=𝑥+2𝜆−𝑡𝜆>0) is non-decreasing in 𝑢, it is bounded below by 𝑓(𝑥+𝜆𝜆)>𝑓(𝑥). Thus, we have

∫−𝜆𝜆(sin𝑡𝑡)2exp(𝑡−2𝜆𝜆−𝑥)𝑓(𝑥)d𝑡<π(𝑐+1),

implying that

∫−𝜆𝜆(sin𝑡𝑡)2e𝑡−2𝜆𝜆𝑎(𝑥)d𝑡<π(𝑐+1)

which gives

𝑎(𝑥)e−3𝜆∫−𝜆𝜆(sin𝑡𝑡)2d𝑡<π(𝑐+1),

which is satisfied for all 𝜆>0 and 𝑥>𝑥0. Letting 𝜆→∞, we have that 𝑎(𝑥)<𝑐+1. Compactness shows that 𝑎 is bounded on [0,𝑥0] (Theorem 1.2.22Theorem 1.2.22Theorem 1.2.22). Hence, 𝑎 is bounded (above) on ℝ by some 𝑀>0.

The final hypothesis required is the slow decrease of 𝑎: for any 𝜀>0, ∃𝛿>0 such that ∀𝑥,𝑦>0 with 0<𝑦−𝑥<𝛿, we have

𝑎(𝑦)−𝑎(𝑥)=e−𝑥(e𝑥−𝑦𝑓(𝑦)−𝑓(𝑥))>e−𝑥𝑓(𝑥)(e−𝛿−1)=𝑎(𝑥)(e−𝛿−1)>𝑀(e−𝛿−1).

If 𝛿 is chosen so that 𝑀(1−e−𝛿)<𝜀, namely 0<𝛿<ln(𝑀𝑀−𝜀), then 𝑎(𝑦)−𝑎(𝑥)>−𝜀, and 𝑎 then exhibits slow decrease.

The slow decrease, boundedness, and the condition in (12.3.1.6)(12.3.1.13)(12.3.1.6) are sufficient by Proposition 12.3.1.3Proposition 12.3.1.3Proposition 12.3.1.3, to show that lim𝑥→∞𝑎(𝑥)=𝑐, or equivalently, lim𝑥→∞𝑓(𝑥)e𝑥=𝑐. ⁠□

Theorem 12.3.1.6 (Prime Number Theorem).

The prime counting function 𝜋(𝑥) is asymptotically equal to 𝑥log𝑥, i.e., lim𝑥→∞𝜋(𝑥)log𝑥𝑥=1.
Proof.

By Theorem 12.3.1Theorem 12.3.1Theorem 12.3.1, it suffices to show that lim𝑥→∞𝜓(𝑥)𝑥=1. Consider the Laplace transform of 𝜓∘exp in (12.3.6)(12.3.6)(12.3.6). By Theorem 12.3.2Theorem 12.3.2Theorem 12.3.2, the function 𝑔 defined therein converges uniformly on compact subsets of ℝ and is continuous. Hence, by the Wiener–Ikehara theorem (Theorem 12.3.1.5Theorem 12.3.1.5Theorem 12.3.1.5), we have that

lim𝑥→∞𝜓(e𝑥)e𝑥=lim𝑥→∞𝜓(𝑥)𝑥=1,
and the Prime Number Theorem follows. ⁠□