Continuity, Differentiability, and \mathbb{N}: Showing an Inequality

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the inequality involving a continuous function f on the interval [a,b] that is differentiable at a point c within that interval. It establishes that for some natural numbers m and n, the condition |(f(x)-f(c))/(x-c)| ≤ n holds whenever 0 ≤ |x-c| ≤ 1/m. The participants utilize the definitions of continuity and differentiability, concluding that by selecting m as the integral part of 1/δ, the inequality can be satisfied, ensuring that the limit exists and is finite due to differentiability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of continuity and differentiability in calculus.
  • Familiarity with limits and the epsilon-delta definition of continuity.
  • Knowledge of inequalities and their manipulation in mathematical proofs.
  • Basic concepts of natural numbers and their properties.
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  • Study the epsilon-delta definition of continuity in depth.
  • Learn about the Mean Value Theorem and its implications for differentiability.
  • Explore the relationship between continuity, differentiability, and limits in calculus.
  • Investigate the properties of natural numbers and their applications in mathematical proofs.
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Students of calculus, mathematicians interested in analysis, and educators seeking to deepen their understanding of continuity and differentiability concepts.

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This isn't homework per se... It's a question from a book I'm self-studying from.

If [tex]f[/tex] is continuous on [tex][a,b][/tex] and differentiable at a point [tex]c \in [a,b][/tex], show that, for some pair [tex]m,n \in \mathbb{N}[/tex],

[tex]\left | \frac{f(x)-f(c)}{x-c}\right | \leq n[/tex] whenever [tex]0 \leq |x-c| \leq \frac{1}{m}[/tex]

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Since it's differentiable at c I know [tex]\lim_{x \to c}\frac{f(x)-f(c)}{x-c}[/tex] exists...

And it's continuous so I know for whatever [tex]\epsilon > 0[/tex] I pick there's a [tex]\delta > 0[/tex] so that [tex]|f(x)-f(c)| < \epsilon[/tex] when [tex]|x-c| < \delta[/tex]

So I guess 1/m could be delta? And then... ? Not sure how to round this one off
 
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Couldn't you just conclude that:

[tex]\left | \frac{f(x)-f(c)}{x-c}\right | \leq n \Leftrightarrow | f(x)-f(c) | \leq n | x - c | \leq \frac{n}{m}[/tex]

and that you can always find m and n such that this holds as long as [tex]| f(x)-f(c) |[/tex] is finite which is ensured by differentiability?
 


... said:
So I guess 1/m could be delta? And then... ?

Pick m as the integral part of 1/δ so that 1/δ = m+f. Then δ = 1/(m+f) < 1/m.
 

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