Continuous Except Jump Discontinuity: Showing True for Any Function

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SUMMARY

A function defined on the interval (a,b) that is continuous except for a jump discontinuity at a point $x_0$ can be expressed in the form $$f(x) = g(x) + cH(x - x_0)$$ where $c$ is a constant and $g$ is continuous on (a,b) with the potential for a removable discontinuity at $x_0$. The constant $c$ is determined by the difference between the right-hand and left-hand limits at $x_0$, specifically $$c= \lim_{x \to x_{0}^{+}}f(x)- \lim_{x \to x_{0}^{-}}f(x)$$. To establish the validity of this representation, one must demonstrate that the function $g(x) = f(x) - cH(x - x_0)$ remains continuous on the interval (a,b) except possibly at $x_0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of jump discontinuities in real analysis
  • Familiarity with Heaviside step function, $H(x)$
  • Knowledge of limits and continuity in functions
  • Ability to manipulate and analyze piecewise functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Heaviside step function, $H(x)$
  • Learn about removable discontinuities and their implications in function continuity
  • Explore the concept of limits and their application in defining jump discontinuities
  • Investigate piecewise function construction and analysis techniques
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students of real analysis, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of functions with discontinuities, particularly in the context of jump discontinuities and their representation.

Dustinsfl
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Show that a function on (a,b) that is continuous except for a jump discontinuity at $x_0\in(a,b)$ is of the form
$$
f(x) = g(x) + cH(x - x_0)
$$
where c is a constant and g is continuous on (a,b) except possibly for a removable discontinuity at $x_0$.

I know that is true since this how I construct those functions but not sure how to show it is true for any arbitrary function.
 
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dwsmith said:
Show that a function on (a,b) that is continuous except for a jump discontinuity at $x_0\in(a,b)$ is of the form
$$
f(x) = g(x) + cH(x - x_0)
$$
where c is a constant and g is continuous on (a,b) except possibly for a removable discontinuity at $x_0$.

I know that is true since this how I construct those functions but not sure how to show it is true for any arbitrary function.

Well, it's not any ol' arbitrary function. It's continuous except for one jump discontinuity. I think you could definitely say that
$$c= \lim_{x \to x_{0}^{+}}f(x)- \lim_{x \to x_{0}^{-}}f(x).$$
So, suppose you define $c$ this way, and then let
$$g(x) := f(x)-c H(x-x_{0}).$$
You must then prove that $g$ is continuous on $(a,b)$ except possibly at $x_{0}$. If you could do that, I think you'd be done, right?
 

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