Proving that $g(x)$ defined as $x^2$ on the rationals and $x^4$ on irrationals, is discontinuous at $2$
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Define $g: mathbb{R} to mathbb{R}$ by $$g(x) =begin{cases} x^2 & text{if } x text{ is rational}, \\ x^4 & text{if } x text{ is irrational}. end{cases}$$ Prove that $g$ is discontinuous at $x = 2$.
Solution Attempt:
Assume instead that $g$ is continuous at 2. Then since $g(2)= 4$, $;;displaystyle lim_{xto2}g(x)=4$;
so taking $epsilon=1$, there is a $delta>0$ such that if $0<|x-2|<delta$, then $big|g(x)-4big|<1$.
Therefore if $x$ is irrational and $2-delta<x<2$, then
$big|x^4-4big|<1$
$-1 <x^4-4<1implies 3<x^4<5implies x^4>3 implies x = 3^frac{1}{4} implies x < 2$ Contradiction
real-analysis
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Define $g: mathbb{R} to mathbb{R}$ by $$g(x) =begin{cases} x^2 & text{if } x text{ is rational}, \\ x^4 & text{if } x text{ is irrational}. end{cases}$$ Prove that $g$ is discontinuous at $x = 2$.
Solution Attempt:
Assume instead that $g$ is continuous at 2. Then since $g(2)= 4$, $;;displaystyle lim_{xto2}g(x)=4$;
so taking $epsilon=1$, there is a $delta>0$ such that if $0<|x-2|<delta$, then $big|g(x)-4big|<1$.
Therefore if $x$ is irrational and $2-delta<x<2$, then
$big|x^4-4big|<1$
$-1 <x^4-4<1implies 3<x^4<5implies x^4>3 implies x = 3^frac{1}{4} implies x < 2$ Contradiction
real-analysis
New contributor
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
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– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
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$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Define $g: mathbb{R} to mathbb{R}$ by $$g(x) =begin{cases} x^2 & text{if } x text{ is rational}, \\ x^4 & text{if } x text{ is irrational}. end{cases}$$ Prove that $g$ is discontinuous at $x = 2$.
Solution Attempt:
Assume instead that $g$ is continuous at 2. Then since $g(2)= 4$, $;;displaystyle lim_{xto2}g(x)=4$;
so taking $epsilon=1$, there is a $delta>0$ such that if $0<|x-2|<delta$, then $big|g(x)-4big|<1$.
Therefore if $x$ is irrational and $2-delta<x<2$, then
$big|x^4-4big|<1$
$-1 <x^4-4<1implies 3<x^4<5implies x^4>3 implies x = 3^frac{1}{4} implies x < 2$ Contradiction
real-analysis
New contributor
$endgroup$
Define $g: mathbb{R} to mathbb{R}$ by $$g(x) =begin{cases} x^2 & text{if } x text{ is rational}, \\ x^4 & text{if } x text{ is irrational}. end{cases}$$ Prove that $g$ is discontinuous at $x = 2$.
Solution Attempt:
Assume instead that $g$ is continuous at 2. Then since $g(2)= 4$, $;;displaystyle lim_{xto2}g(x)=4$;
so taking $epsilon=1$, there is a $delta>0$ such that if $0<|x-2|<delta$, then $big|g(x)-4big|<1$.
Therefore if $x$ is irrational and $2-delta<x<2$, then
$big|x^4-4big|<1$
$-1 <x^4-4<1implies 3<x^4<5implies x^4>3 implies x = 3^frac{1}{4} implies x < 2$ Contradiction
real-analysis
real-analysis
New contributor
New contributor
edited 18 hours ago
Asaf Karagila♦
308k33441774
308k33441774
New contributor
asked 20 hours ago
SHajsSHajs
162
162
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1
$begingroup$
Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
$begingroup$
Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
$begingroup$
$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
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Rather than $x^4 > 3$, instead conclude that $x^4 < 5$, or equivalently,
$$-sqrt[4]{5} < x < sqrt[4]{5}.$$
If you had chosen instead an irrational $x$ such that
$$2 - min{delta, 2 - sqrt[4]{5}} < x < 2,$$
then you'd have $x > 2 - (2 - sqrt[4]{5}) = sqrt[4]{5}$, a contradiction.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
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I think a simpe way is to construct two sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$, where $a_n$ are rational and $b_n$ are irrational, such that $lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=2^2$ and $lim_{ntoinfty}g(b_n)=2^4$.
Then we can say $lim_{xto2^+}g(x)$ does not exist. Hence $g$ is discontinuous at $x=2$.
Put $a_n = 2 + frac{1}{n}$ and $b_n=2+frac{pi}{n}$.
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add a comment |
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An option?
Sequential definition of continuity .
$x_n=2(4n)^{(1/(4n))}.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}x_n=2.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}g(x_n)=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty} 2^4(4n)^{(1/n)}=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}2^4 cdot 4^{(1/n)} cdot n^{(1/n)}=$
$=2^4 not =g(2)$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You haven't reached a contradiction, as commented...but the general idea is correct. Try this, instead: take
$$left{a_n:=2pifrac n{pi n+1}right}_{ninBbb N}$$
Observe the above sequence is irrational:
$$a_nnotinBbb Qimplies g(a_n)=a_n^4,,,,text{so};;lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=lim_{ntoinfty}16pi^4frac{n^4}{(npi+1)^4}=16pi^4frac1{pi^4}=16$$
yet $;g(2)=2^2=4;$ , so the function is not continuous at $;2;$ ...
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add a comment |
Your Answer
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4 Answers
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4 Answers
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$begingroup$
Rather than $x^4 > 3$, instead conclude that $x^4 < 5$, or equivalently,
$$-sqrt[4]{5} < x < sqrt[4]{5}.$$
If you had chosen instead an irrational $x$ such that
$$2 - min{delta, 2 - sqrt[4]{5}} < x < 2,$$
then you'd have $x > 2 - (2 - sqrt[4]{5}) = sqrt[4]{5}$, a contradiction.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Rather than $x^4 > 3$, instead conclude that $x^4 < 5$, or equivalently,
$$-sqrt[4]{5} < x < sqrt[4]{5}.$$
If you had chosen instead an irrational $x$ such that
$$2 - min{delta, 2 - sqrt[4]{5}} < x < 2,$$
then you'd have $x > 2 - (2 - sqrt[4]{5}) = sqrt[4]{5}$, a contradiction.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Rather than $x^4 > 3$, instead conclude that $x^4 < 5$, or equivalently,
$$-sqrt[4]{5} < x < sqrt[4]{5}.$$
If you had chosen instead an irrational $x$ such that
$$2 - min{delta, 2 - sqrt[4]{5}} < x < 2,$$
then you'd have $x > 2 - (2 - sqrt[4]{5}) = sqrt[4]{5}$, a contradiction.
$endgroup$
Rather than $x^4 > 3$, instead conclude that $x^4 < 5$, or equivalently,
$$-sqrt[4]{5} < x < sqrt[4]{5}.$$
If you had chosen instead an irrational $x$ such that
$$2 - min{delta, 2 - sqrt[4]{5}} < x < 2,$$
then you'd have $x > 2 - (2 - sqrt[4]{5}) = sqrt[4]{5}$, a contradiction.
answered 20 hours ago
Theo BenditTheo Bendit
20.5k12354
20.5k12354
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think a simpe way is to construct two sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$, where $a_n$ are rational and $b_n$ are irrational, such that $lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=2^2$ and $lim_{ntoinfty}g(b_n)=2^4$.
Then we can say $lim_{xto2^+}g(x)$ does not exist. Hence $g$ is discontinuous at $x=2$.
Put $a_n = 2 + frac{1}{n}$ and $b_n=2+frac{pi}{n}$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think a simpe way is to construct two sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$, where $a_n$ are rational and $b_n$ are irrational, such that $lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=2^2$ and $lim_{ntoinfty}g(b_n)=2^4$.
Then we can say $lim_{xto2^+}g(x)$ does not exist. Hence $g$ is discontinuous at $x=2$.
Put $a_n = 2 + frac{1}{n}$ and $b_n=2+frac{pi}{n}$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I think a simpe way is to construct two sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$, where $a_n$ are rational and $b_n$ are irrational, such that $lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=2^2$ and $lim_{ntoinfty}g(b_n)=2^4$.
Then we can say $lim_{xto2^+}g(x)$ does not exist. Hence $g$ is discontinuous at $x=2$.
Put $a_n = 2 + frac{1}{n}$ and $b_n=2+frac{pi}{n}$.
$endgroup$
I think a simpe way is to construct two sequences $a_n$ and $b_n$, where $a_n$ are rational and $b_n$ are irrational, such that $lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=2^2$ and $lim_{ntoinfty}g(b_n)=2^4$.
Then we can say $lim_{xto2^+}g(x)$ does not exist. Hence $g$ is discontinuous at $x=2$.
Put $a_n = 2 + frac{1}{n}$ and $b_n=2+frac{pi}{n}$.
answered 19 hours ago
zongxiang yizongxiang yi
352110
352110
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An option?
Sequential definition of continuity .
$x_n=2(4n)^{(1/(4n))}.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}x_n=2.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}g(x_n)=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty} 2^4(4n)^{(1/n)}=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}2^4 cdot 4^{(1/n)} cdot n^{(1/n)}=$
$=2^4 not =g(2)$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An option?
Sequential definition of continuity .
$x_n=2(4n)^{(1/(4n))}.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}x_n=2.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}g(x_n)=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty} 2^4(4n)^{(1/n)}=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}2^4 cdot 4^{(1/n)} cdot n^{(1/n)}=$
$=2^4 not =g(2)$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
An option?
Sequential definition of continuity .
$x_n=2(4n)^{(1/(4n))}.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}x_n=2.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}g(x_n)=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty} 2^4(4n)^{(1/n)}=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}2^4 cdot 4^{(1/n)} cdot n^{(1/n)}=$
$=2^4 not =g(2)$.
$endgroup$
An option?
Sequential definition of continuity .
$x_n=2(4n)^{(1/(4n))}.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}x_n=2.$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}g(x_n)=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty} 2^4(4n)^{(1/n)}=$
$lim_{n rightarrow infty}2^4 cdot 4^{(1/n)} cdot n^{(1/n)}=$
$=2^4 not =g(2)$.
edited 19 hours ago
answered 19 hours ago
Peter SzilasPeter Szilas
11.8k2822
11.8k2822
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You haven't reached a contradiction, as commented...but the general idea is correct. Try this, instead: take
$$left{a_n:=2pifrac n{pi n+1}right}_{ninBbb N}$$
Observe the above sequence is irrational:
$$a_nnotinBbb Qimplies g(a_n)=a_n^4,,,,text{so};;lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=lim_{ntoinfty}16pi^4frac{n^4}{(npi+1)^4}=16pi^4frac1{pi^4}=16$$
yet $;g(2)=2^2=4;$ , so the function is not continuous at $;2;$ ...
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You haven't reached a contradiction, as commented...but the general idea is correct. Try this, instead: take
$$left{a_n:=2pifrac n{pi n+1}right}_{ninBbb N}$$
Observe the above sequence is irrational:
$$a_nnotinBbb Qimplies g(a_n)=a_n^4,,,,text{so};;lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=lim_{ntoinfty}16pi^4frac{n^4}{(npi+1)^4}=16pi^4frac1{pi^4}=16$$
yet $;g(2)=2^2=4;$ , so the function is not continuous at $;2;$ ...
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You haven't reached a contradiction, as commented...but the general idea is correct. Try this, instead: take
$$left{a_n:=2pifrac n{pi n+1}right}_{ninBbb N}$$
Observe the above sequence is irrational:
$$a_nnotinBbb Qimplies g(a_n)=a_n^4,,,,text{so};;lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=lim_{ntoinfty}16pi^4frac{n^4}{(npi+1)^4}=16pi^4frac1{pi^4}=16$$
yet $;g(2)=2^2=4;$ , so the function is not continuous at $;2;$ ...
$endgroup$
You haven't reached a contradiction, as commented...but the general idea is correct. Try this, instead: take
$$left{a_n:=2pifrac n{pi n+1}right}_{ninBbb N}$$
Observe the above sequence is irrational:
$$a_nnotinBbb Qimplies g(a_n)=a_n^4,,,,text{so};;lim_{ntoinfty}g(a_n)=lim_{ntoinfty}16pi^4frac{n^4}{(npi+1)^4}=16pi^4frac1{pi^4}=16$$
yet $;g(2)=2^2=4;$ , so the function is not continuous at $;2;$ ...
answered 19 hours ago
DonAntonioDonAntonio
180k1494233
180k1494233
add a comment |
add a comment |
SHajs is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
SHajs is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Instead of delta-epsilon definition. See the definition using limit of sequences. Note that if you approximate 2 by a sequence of rational numbers you get g(x) approaches 2^2=4. But if you approximate 2 by a sequence of irrational numbers then g(x) approaches 2^4=16. Since the limits of g(x) w.r.t. these sequences don't match then g is discontinuous at 2. (In fact same argument proves that g is discontinuous everywhere, except at 0)
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago
1
$begingroup$
$x<2$ is not a contradiction. What you should note is that you can choose $delta$ arbitrarily small, so choose $delta$ such that $3^{1/4}<2-delta$. Then you get a contradiction.
$endgroup$
– Julian Mejia
20 hours ago