The variation of the maximal function of a radial function (Q1749370)

The author formulates the so called \(W^{1,1}\)-problem for the non-centered classical maximal operator \(M\), that is: for all \(f\) in the Sobolev-space \(W^{1,1}(\mathbb{R}^n)\), is it true that \(DMf \in L^1(\mathbb{R}^n)\) and \[ \|DMf\|_1\leq C_n \|Df\|_1 ? \] In the case \(n=1\) the answer is known to be positive and was proved by \textit{H. Tanaka} [Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 65, No. 2, 253--258 (2002; Zbl 0999.42013)] for the non-centered maximal operator, and by \textit{O. Kurka} [Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn., Math. 40, No. 1, 109--133 (2015; Zbl 1332.42012)] for the centered case. The main contribution to this question is giving a positive answer for the case of \(f\in W^{1,1} (\mathbb{R}^n)\) being radial, and it is shown that \(Mf\) is in \(W^{1,1}(\mathbb{R}^n)\). The techniques developed in the paper consist of studying the behaviour of the topology of the complementary of the set \(\{Mf(x)=f(x)\}\).