Uniform Continuity- extentions of functions

In summary: This is a proof by contradiction. So you have to assume that for some epsilon the statement holds, and show that this leads to a contradiction.
  • #1
SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE
145
0
Hi guys. Final tomorrow and i had some last minute questions for proving/disproving a function is uniformly cont.

Basically i want to know if the following proofs are acceptable

Consider f(x)=1/x for x element (0, 2) = I

Proof 1:

f(x) does not converge uniformly on I. In order for a function to be uniformly continuous on an open interval, say (a,b) it must be able to be extended to a continuous function on [a,b].

Since lim f(x) = Infinity , the extension function cannot be continuous, therefore f(x) is
x-->0
not uniformly continuous on I.//

Proof 2:

Thm: if f is uniformly continuous on S, and sn is a Cauchy sequence in S, then f(sn) is also a Cauchy sequence.

consider the sequence sn= 1/n which is clearly Cauchy on I

if f is uniformly continuous on I, then f(sn) will also be Cauchy. But f(sn) = n which is not a Cauchy sequence. thus, f is not uniformly continuous on I.//


Are those 2 proofs acceptable? Any feed back would greatly be appreciated


Also i want to know if my epsilon delta proof is correct.

Prove that X^2 is uniformly continuous on [0,3]
(i know i can use that one theorem, that states if its continuous on a closed interval, its uniformly continuous but i want to practice epsilon delta)

Scratch work

for each epsilon> 0 there exists delta>0 such that

|x-y|< delta ==> |x^2 - y^2| < epsilon

|x^2 - y^2| = |(x-y)(x+y)|< |(x-y)*9|<epsilon

thus choose delta = epsilon/9

Forward Proof

for each epsilon>0 there exists a delta>0 s.t.

|x-y|<delta= epsilon/9 implies |f(x)-f(y)|= |(x-y)(x+y)|< |(x-y)*9| < |(epsilon/9)*9| = epsilon //


Is this done correctly? Am i forgetting to do something. Any help is appreciated. Sorry for such a long post... Please reply over!
 
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  • #2
Everything looks good. Although I would reword your "Forward Proof" to "for each epsilon>0 choose [or let/take/set/etc] delta=epsilon/9 ..." but this is just a matter of taste.
 
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  • #3
Don't confuse uniform continuity with uniform convergence. They are two different things. Your proofs of the first two are needlessly indirect. If you need practice with epsilon-delta proofs I would suggest you apply it to the first problem, it's much closer to the spirit of the concept. Show given an epsilon that there is no delta that will work. The second one is fine, but I'm a little confused why you chose 9, when if x and y are in [0,3] then (x+y)<=6. Not that 9 doesn't work :).
 
  • #4
I suspect the OP meant to say "f is not uniformly continuous on I" instead of "f(x) does not converge uniformly on I" - a Freudian slip perhaps!
 
  • #5
morphism said:
I suspect the OP meant to say "f is not uniformly continuous on I" instead of "f(x) does not converge uniformly on I" - a Freudian slip perhaps!

I thought so too. But it doesn't hurt to warn of coming of coming concepts with similar names. That's how freudian slips happen.
 
  • #6
ya sorry guys i meant uniformly continuous... oops

and you it should be epsilon over six, i forgot how to add...

@ dick...

Epsilon delta proof for the first problem...

i actually don't know how to disprove something with an epsilon delta proof... could you help me out

here is what i have so far...

for some epsilon >0 there exits delta >0 such that
|x-y|<delta implies |f(x)-f(y)|< epsilon

|1/x - 1/y| = |(y-x)/xy|

I know i have to find some epsilon that violates this, or that
|x-y|< delta implies |f(x)-f(y)|> epsilon

or maybe the other way around... but any way ya, i don't know where to go from there.
 
  • #7
f is unbounded. This means for NO epsilon is there a delta such that |x-y|<delta -> |f(x)-f(y)|<epsilon.
 

FAQ: Uniform Continuity- extentions of functions

What is uniform continuity?

Uniform continuity is a mathematical concept that describes the behavior of a function. A function is uniformly continuous if, for any two points on its graph, there exists a single value that can be used to measure the difference in their outputs. In other words, as the distance between two input points approaches zero, the difference in their outputs also approaches zero.

How is uniform continuity different from regular continuity?

Uniform continuity differs from regular continuity in that it requires the same value to be used for measuring the difference in outputs for all points on the graph, regardless of how close or far apart they are. In regular continuity, the value used to measure the difference in outputs can vary depending on the specific points being compared.

What are the conditions for a function to be uniformly continuous?

A function must satisfy two conditions in order to be considered uniformly continuous. First, it must be continuous over its entire domain. Second, for any given value of epsilon (ε), there must exist a value of delta (δ) such that for any two points on the graph whose inputs are within δ of each other, the difference in their outputs will be less than ε.

Can a function be uniformly continuous on a non-compact interval?

No, a function cannot be uniformly continuous on a non-compact interval. In order for a function to be uniformly continuous, it must be continuous on a closed and bounded interval. A non-compact interval is either not closed, not bounded, or both, and therefore does not satisfy the necessary conditions for uniform continuity.

What is the importance of uniform continuity in mathematics and science?

Uniform continuity is important in mathematics and science because it allows us to make precise statements about the behavior of functions. It is used in fields such as calculus, differential equations, and physics to study the properties and relationships of various functions. Uniform continuity also provides a framework for analyzing and understanding the behavior of real-world phenomena, making it a valuable tool in scientific research and problem-solving.

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