All about sequence of functions

In summary, the conversation discusses the behavior of a sequence of functions {h_n} defined on the interval (0,1). The first part finds the limit of the integral of h_n(x) as n approaches infinity, which is equal to 1. The second part shows that the limit of h_n(x) as n approaches infinity is 0 on (0,1) using the n-th term test. However, in the third part, it is shown that the limit of the integral of h_n(x) is not equal to the integral of 0 on (0,1), highlighting the importance of the contribution of larger values of n to the integral. The conversation also clarifies an error in the original statement of the problem
  • #1
irony of truth
90
0
Let {h_n} be a sequence of function defined on the interval (0,1) where

h_n(x) = (n+n)x^(n-1)(1-x)

a. find lim (n-> +oo) (integral) (from 0 to 1) h_n(x) dx.

b. show that lim (n-> +oo) h_n(x) = 0 on (0, 1)

c. Show that lim (n-> +oo) (integral) (from 0 to 1) h_n(x) dx is not equal to integral (from 0 to 1) (0 dx). What went wrong?

SOlutions:

a. lim (n-> +oo) integral (from 0 to 1) h_n(x) dx
= lim (n-> +oo) integral (from 0 to 1) (n+n)x^(n-1)(1-x) dx
=lim (n-> +oo)(n+n) integral (from 0 to 1)x^(n-1)(1-x) dx

= lim (n-> +oo)(n+n) (1/n - 1/(n+1))
= lim (n-> +oo)n(n + 1) (1/((n)(n+1))
= 1.

b. I used the n-th term test in proving this... because if the series of h_n(x) is convergent then lim (n-> +oo) h_n(x) = 0 on (0, 1). But by ratio test, h_n(x) is convergent because the limit of
a(n+1)/a(n) as n -> +oo is x, but 0 < x < 1.

c. That's the part that I got stuck... well, it seems that the statement above is true... how do I solve this?
 
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  • #2
Roughly speaking, the main contribution to the integral for large n comes from an increasingly small neighborhood near 1. For any given point x, no matter how close to one, hn(x) eventually gets very small as n increases. But there are still points left between x and 1 for which the value of hn evaluated at these points is very large, and this keeps the value of the integral at one. By the way, did you mean n+n^2 for the factor in front of the function?
 
  • #3
Thank you for clarifying...

yes, it should have been n^2 + n.
 

1. What is the purpose of studying the sequence of functions?

The sequence of functions is an important concept in mathematical analysis as it helps us understand the behavior of a sequence of functions as the input variable approaches a certain limit. This is crucial in many areas of science and engineering, such as in studying the convergence of numerical methods and in analyzing the behavior of physical systems.

2. How is the convergence of a sequence of functions determined?

The convergence of a sequence of functions is determined by analyzing the limit of the sequence as the input variable approaches a certain value. If the limit exists and is equal to a specific value, then the sequence is said to be convergent. However, if the limit does not exist or is equal to infinity, then the sequence is divergent.

3. What is the difference between pointwise and uniform convergence of a sequence of functions?

Pointwise convergence of a sequence of functions means that for each input value, the sequence of function values approaches the limit value. On the other hand, uniform convergence means that the sequence of functions approaches the limit value at the same rate for all input values.

4. What is the importance of uniform convergence in the study of series of functions?

Uniform convergence is crucial in the study of series of functions as it ensures that the series converges to the same function as the sum of its individual terms. This is necessary for the application of many mathematical techniques and for the convergence of numerical methods.

5. How does the concept of continuity relate to the sequence of functions?

The concept of continuity is closely related to the sequence of functions, as it is necessary for a function to be continuous in order to be able to apply the limit operation and determine convergence. Additionally, the continuity of a sequence of functions can also be used to prove the uniform convergence of the sequence.

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