Multiresolution analysis plays a major role in wavelet theory. In this
paper, multiresolution of L(p) spaces is studied. Let S be a shift-in
variant subspace of L(p)(R(s)) (1 less-than-or-equal-to p less-than-or
-equal-to infinity) generated by a finite number of functions with com
pact support, and let S(k) be the 2k-dilate of S for each integer k is
-an-element-of Z. It is shown that the intersection of S(k) (k is-an-e
lement-of Z) is always trivial. It is more difficult to deal with the
problem whether the union of S(k) (k is-an-element-of Z) is dense in L
(p)(R(s)). The case p = 1 or 2 can be solved by Wiener's density theor
em. Under the assumption that S is refinable, it is proved in this pap
er that the union of S(k) (k is-an-element-of Z) is dense in L(p)(R(s)
), provided s = 1, 2, or 2 less-than-or-equal-to p < infinity. The sam
e is true for p = infinity, if L(infinity)(R(s)) is replaced by C0(R(s
)). Counterexamples are given to demonstrate that for s greater-than-o
r-equal-to 3 and 1 < p < 2, the aforementioned results on density are
no longer true in general. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.