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Let $\, \Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^n$.

We say that a function $u\in C(\Omega)$ is subharmonic if $$ u(x) \le \frac{1}{\omega_n r^n} \int_{B_r(x)}u(y)\,dy \quad \forall \, x\in \Omega, \forall \, 0<r<\operatorname{dist}(x,\partial \Omega) $$.

We say that (u) is subharmonic in sense of distribution if $$ \int_\Omega u(x)\Delta \phi(x)\,dx \ge 0 \quad \forall \phi \in C^\infty_c(\Omega) \, : \, \phi\ge 0$$

I have to show that the two definitions are equivalent. I’m having trouble to prove that the first one implies the second one. I would use the convolution, in particular, I would use that the first definition is still true for $$ u_\varepsilon = \eta_\varepsilon * u $$ With $\eta_\varepsilon$ standard mollifier, but I’m not successful with that. Can someone please help me?

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I assume that $\Omega$ should be open? If so then Green's second identity/integration by parts imply that for any $v \in C^2(\Omega)$,

$$\int_U v\Delta\phi\,dy = \int_U \phi\Delta v\,dy$$

for $U \subseteq \overline{U} \subseteq \Omega$ with smooth enough boundary (say piecewise $C^1$), where $U$ contains the support of $\phi$. Fubini's theorem implies $u_\varepsilon$ is subharmonic, and since $u_\varepsilon$ is smooth, a well known result implies $\Delta u_\varepsilon \geq 0$. One way you can show this is by using Green's identity with the fundamental solution of the Laplacian to find that

$$u_\varepsilon(x) = \frac{1}{\omega_n r^n}\int_{B_r(x)} u_\varepsilon(y)\,dy - C\int_{B_r(x)} \Delta u_\varepsilon(y)\frac{1}{\|x - y\|^{n-2}}\,dy$$

for some positive constant $C$ (I don't remember what $C$ is, but it's not important for the argument and you can find the correct constant by running through it). This part is a fairly standard argument in PDEs; apply Green's second identity to the integral $$\int_{B_r(x) \setminus B_\delta(x)} \Delta u_\varepsilon(y)\frac{1}{\|x - y\|^{n-2}}\,dy$$ then do a bunch of computations and send $\delta \to 0$. There are also other proofs of this fact elsewhere on the site.

Taking $r \to 0$ and using the fact $u_\varepsilon$ is subharmonic, you can conclude $\Delta u_\varepsilon \geq 0$ (recall the fundamental solution acts like an approximate identity). Therefore

$$\int_U u_\varepsilon\Delta\phi\,dy = \int_U \phi\Delta u_\epsilon\,dy \geq 0$$

for all $\varepsilon > 0$, and the argument is finished upon taking $\varepsilon \to 0$.

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