MHB Piecewise Continuous and piecewise smooth functions

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the properties of four functions regarding piecewise continuity and piecewise smoothness, specifically in the interval [-1, 1] with f(0) = 0. The function f(x) = sin(1/x) is noted to require limits from both sides to establish continuity at x = 0. For piecewise smoothness, the continuity of first derivatives is emphasized as a necessary condition. Participants express uncertainty about how to approach the problem, particularly in evaluating the derivatives for smoothness. Overall, the thread seeks clarity on the definitions and applications of piecewise continuous and piecewise smooth functions.
comfortablynumb
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I do not know to start. Here is the problem.Determine if the given function is piecewise continuous, piecewise smooth, or neither. Here $x\neq0$ is in the interval $[-1,1]$ and $f(0)=0$ in all cases.

1. $f(x)=sin(\frac{1}{x})$
2. $f(x)=xsin(\frac{1}{x})$
3. $f(x)={x}^{2}sin(\frac{1}{x})$
4. $f(x)={x}^{3}sin(\frac{1}{x})$ .
 
Physics news on Phys.org
comfortablynumb said:
I do not know to start. Here is the problem.Determine if the given function is piecewise continuous, piecewise smooth, or neither. Here $x\neq0$ is in the interval $[-1,1]$ and $f(0)=0$ in all cases.

1. $f(x)=sin(\frac{1}{x})$
2. $f(x)=xsin(\frac{1}{x})$
3. $f(x)={x}^{2}sin(\frac{1}{x})$
4. $f(x)={x}^{3}sin(\frac{1}{x})$ .
Surely you can do the piecewise continuous part? It's just matching up if the curves are continous. So, for example, sin(1/x) has to have two limits: [math]\lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x) = 0[/math] (since f(0) = 0) and [math]\lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x) = 0[/math].

Piecewise smooth would be if the first derivatives are continuous. Do you need help with that part?

-Dan
 
1. Start with the global analytic continuation of the Riemann zeta function found here. 2. Form the Haadamard product. 3. Use the product to series formula from functions.wolfram.com or Theory and Applications of Infinite Series by Konard Knopp, Dover books 1943. 4. Apply series revision to solve for the zeroes from Stewart Calculus, 4th edition. Benjamin Orin and Leonard Mlodinow solved this.

Similar threads

Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K