Is the Uniform Limit of Continuous Functions on a Subset also Continuous?

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In summary, a uniform limit of continuous functions on a subset is the limit of a sequence of functions where the convergence is independent of the point in the subset. This is different from the pointwise limit, which only considers the limit at each individual point. The uniform limit may not always be continuous, but it is guaranteed to be if the convergence is uniform. It can also be discontinuous at isolated points. In mathematics, the uniform limit is important for extending properties of continuous functions and proving the Weierstrass approximation theorem.
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Chris L T521
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Sorry for posting this late. Here's this week's problem.

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Problem: Suppose that $f_n$ is a sequence of continuous functions on a subset $E\subseteq\mathbb{R}$ and that $f_n$ uniformly converges to a function $f$ on $E$. Show that $f$ is also continuous on $E$.

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No one answered this week's question. Here's my solution.

Proof: Suppose that $\{f_n\}$ is a sequence of continuous functions over $E$ and $f_n\rightarrow f$ uniformly. Since $f_n$ is continuous, then $\forall\,\epsilon>0,\,\exists\,\delta>0:0<|x-y|<\delta\implies\left|f_n(x)-f_n(y)\right|<\frac{\epsilon}{3}$. Since $f_n\rightarrow f$ uniformly, then $\forall\epsilon>0,\,\exists\, N:\forall n\geq N$, $\left|f_n(x)-f(x)\right|<\frac{\epsilon}{3}$. Then for any $x,y\in E$, \[\begin{aligned}\left|f(x)-f(y)\right| &= \left|f(x)-f_n(x)+f_n(x)-f(y)\right|\\ &\leq \left|f_n(x)-f(x)\right|+\left|f_n(x)-f(y)\right|\\ &\leq \left|f_n(x)-f(x)\right|+\left|f_n(x)-f_n(y)\right|+\left|f_n(y)-f(y)\right|\\ &\leq \frac{\epsilon}{3}+\frac{\epsilon}{3}+ \frac{\epsilon}{3} \\ &=\epsilon.
\end{aligned}\]
Q.E.D.
 

FAQ: Is the Uniform Limit of Continuous Functions on a Subset also Continuous?

What is the definition of a uniform limit of continuous functions on a subset?

A uniform limit of continuous functions on a subset is the limit of a sequence of functions on a subset where the convergence is independent of the point in the subset. In other words, the limit function is continuous on the entire subset, not just at specific points.

How is the uniform limit of continuous functions different from the pointwise limit?

The pointwise limit of a sequence of functions on a subset is the limit at each individual point in the subset. In contrast, the uniform limit is the limit over the entire subset, and the convergence does not depend on the point in the subset.

Is the uniform limit of continuous functions always continuous?

No, the uniform limit of continuous functions is not always continuous. It is only guaranteed to be continuous if the sequence of functions converges uniformly on the subset. If the convergence is only pointwise, the limit function may not be continuous.

Can the uniform limit of continuous functions be discontinuous at isolated points?

Yes, the uniform limit of continuous functions can be discontinuous at isolated points. This can occur if the sequence of functions converges uniformly on the subset except at the isolated points where it does not converge.

What is the importance of the uniform limit of continuous functions in mathematics?

The uniform limit of continuous functions is important in analysis and topology because it allows for the extension of important properties of continuous functions to the limit function. It also helps in the proof of the Weierstrass approximation theorem, which states that any continuous function on a closed interval can be approximated by a sequence of polynomials.

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