Affine invariant maps for log-concave functions (Q2117468)

Affine invariant points and maps for sets, which were introduced by B. Grünbaum in the 1960s to study the symmetry structure of convex sets, are central in affine differential geometry and convex geometry and they and their associated inequalities have far reaching consequences for many other areas of mathematics. The authors of the present paper extend these notions to functions. While the corresponding definitions can be given for any function, the authors first concentrate on log-concave functions. The definitions of affine contravariant points and affine covariant mappings for log-concave functions are given and some of their basic properties are established. For instance, the role of symmetry in the setting of convex bodies is now taken by the notion of evenness in the functional setting. Some classical examples of affine contravariant points for functions are presented. It is shown that the centroid and the Santaló point of a log-concave function are examples of affine contravariant points and that the newly developed notions of floating function, John function, and Löwner function are examples of affine covariant mappings. This leads naturally to new affine contravariant points.