Checking real analyticity on surfaces (Q2281153)

The following real analogue of Hartog's theorem is shown: Let \(f: M \to \mathbb R\) be a function on a real analytic manifold \(M\) of dimension at least 3. Then \(f\) is real analytic provided that the restriction \(f|_N\) to any real analytic submanifold \(N \subseteq M\) homeomorphic to the 2-sphere is real analytic. This is best possible in the following sense: It is well known that a function which is real analytic along all real analytic curves needs not be continuous. Moreover, the authors give an example of a non-continuous function \(f : \mathbb R^n \to \mathbb R\) which is real analytic on all translates of coordinate hyperplanes. \textit{J. Bochnak} and \textit{J. Siciak} proved in [Ann. Pol. Math. 123, Part 1, 9--13 (2019; Zbl 1439.32004)] that a real-valued function on \(\mathbb R^n\) which is real analytic on all 2-planes is real analytic. The global result of the present paper is based on an improvement of this criterion which uses fewer 2-planes. Inversion in the unit sphere establishes the connection between 2-planes and 2-spheres.