In mathematics, specifically in
order theory
Order theory is a branch of mathematics that investigates the intuitive notion of order using binary relations. It provides a formal framework for describing statements such as "this is less than that" or "this precedes that". This article intr ...
and
functional analysis
Functional analysis is a branch of mathematical analysis, the core of which is formed by the study of vector spaces endowed with some kind of limit-related structure (e.g. inner product, norm, topology, etc.) and the linear functions defined ...
, the order dual of an
ordered vector space
In mathematics, an ordered vector space or partially ordered vector space is a vector space equipped with a partial order that is compatible with the vector space operations.
Definition
Given a vector space ''X'' over the real numbers R and a p ...
is the set
where
denotes the set of all positive
linear functional
In mathematics, a linear form (also known as a linear functional, a one-form, or a covector) is a linear map from a vector space to its field of scalars (often, the real numbers or the complex numbers).
If is a vector space over a field , th ...
s on
, where a linear function
on
is called positive if for all
implies
The order dual of
is denoted by
.
Along with the related concept of the
order bound dual, this space plays an important role in the theory of
ordered topological vector space In mathematics, specifically in functional analysis and order theory, an ordered topological vector space, also called an ordered TVS, is a topological vector space (TVS) ''X'' that has a partial order ≤ making it into an ordered vector space ...
s.
Canonical ordering
An element
of the order dual of
is called positive if
implies
The positive elements of the order dual form a cone that induces an ordering on
called the canonical ordering.
If
is an
ordered vector space
In mathematics, an ordered vector space or partially ordered vector space is a vector space equipped with a partial order that is compatible with the vector space operations.
Definition
Given a vector space ''X'' over the real numbers R and a p ...
whose positive cone
is generating (that is,
) then the order dual with the canonical ordering is an ordered vector space.
The order dual is the span of the set of positive linear functionals on
.
Properties
The order dual is contained in the
order bound dual.
If the positive cone of an
ordered vector space
In mathematics, an ordered vector space or partially ordered vector space is a vector space equipped with a partial order that is compatible with the vector space operations.
Definition
Given a vector space ''X'' over the real numbers R and a p ...
is generating and if