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Kakutani fixed-point theorem

theorem that a function f: S→Pow(S) on a compact nonempty convex subset S⊂ℝⁿ, whose graph is closed and whose image f(x) is nonempty and convex for all x∈S, has a fixed point

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Record originEnglish Wikipedia
Text licenseCC BY-SA 4.0
Source revisionNov 9, 2025
Entity authorityQ518524
Source-derived summary

In mathematical analysis, the Kakutani fixed-point theorem is a fixed-point theorem for set-valued functions. It provides sufficient conditions for a set-valued function defined on a convex, compact subset of a Euclidean space to have a fixed point, i.e. a point which is mapped to a set containing it. The Kakutani fixed point theorem is a generalization of the Brouwer fixed point theorem. The Brouwer fixed point theorem is a fundamental result in topology which proves the existence of fixed points for continuous functions defined on compact, convex subsets of Euclidean spaces. Kakutani's theorem extends this to set-valued functions.

The theorem was developed by Shizuo Kakutani in 1941, and was used by John Nash in his description of Nash equilibria. It has subsequently found widespread application in game theory and economics.

Statement

Kakutani's theorem states:

Let S be a non-empty, compact and convex subset of some Euclidean space Rn.

Let φ: S → 2S be a set-valued function on S with the following properties:

φ has a closed graph;

φ(x) is non-empty and convex for all x ∈ S.

Then φ has a fixed point.

Editorial summary

The public source identifies “Kakutani fixed-point theorem” as theorem that a function f: S→Pow(S) on a compact nonempty convex subset S⊂ℝⁿ, whose graph is closed and whose image f(x) is nonempty and convex for all x∈S, has a fixed point. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Kakutani, fixed-point and theorem.

Editorial reviewA dependable orientation record for establishing vocabulary, names and a first evidence trail. The current lead gives the account dated anchors—1941—that can be checked directly. The selected authority fields contribute no independent date. Its value is orientation rather than verdict, with Kakutani, fixed-point and theorem providing the first useful test.
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The citation trail is more important than the brevity of the summary: it shows where individual claims can be examined in context. The source revision retrieved here is dated Nov 9, 2025. The linked authority identifier is Q518524. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1941.

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Source & attribution

This entry incorporates text from Kakutani fixed-point theorem” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.