Find Counterexample for Expression about Limit of Composition Function

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the validity of the statement regarding the limit of the composition of functions, specifically $\lim_{x\rightarrow a}(h\circ g)(x)=M$. It is established that the original statement is false unless certain conditions are met, such as the continuity of function $f$ at point $L$. A counterexample is provided using a piecewise function that is not continuous at $x=0$, demonstrating that the limit can yield different values depending on the approach direction. The necessity of evaluating continuity at defined points is emphasized, particularly when considering domains that exclude certain points.

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  • Understanding of limits in calculus
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  • Familiarity with function composition
  • Basic concepts of open sets in topology
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  • Study the properties of limits and continuity in calculus
  • Explore the concept of piecewise functions and their continuity
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Mathematicians, calculus students, and anyone studying real analysis or function theory will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the nuances of limits and continuity in function composition.

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Suppose that $U$ is open in $\mathbb{R}^{m}$, that $L\in U$ and that $h:U\setminus \left \{ L \right \}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{p}$ for some $p\in N$. If $L=\lim_{x\rightarrow a}g(x)$ and $M=\lim_{y\rightarrow L}h(y)$. Then
$\lim_{x\rightarrow a}(h\circ g)(x)=M$.

(Someone told me that this statement is false and should replace "$U\setminus \left \{ L \right \}$" with "$U$", and “$M=\lim_{y\rightarrow L}h(y)$. Then”
with “$h$ is continuous at $L$, then”.)So can you give me a counterexample of the original statement? Thanks.
 
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What is the domain and range of g(x)?
 
jakncoke said:
What is the domain and range of g(x)?

Let $a\in \mathbb{R}^{n}$, let $V$ be an open set which contains $a$, and suppose that $g: \ V\setminus a\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{m}$.
 
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ianchenmu said:
Let $a\in \mathbb{R}^{n}$, let $V$ be an open set which contains $a$, and suppose that $f: \ V\setminus a\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{m}$.
The domain of h is U \ L, so can i assume that $\mathbb{R}^{m}$ was a typo and $f: \ V\setminus a\rightarrow$ U \ L ?
 
jakncoke said:
The domain of h is U \ L, so can i assume that $\mathbb{R}^{m}$ was a typo and $f: \ V\setminus a\rightarrow$ U \ L ?
I'm sorry, it's $g$.

Let $a\in \mathbb{R}^{n}$, let $V$ be an open set which contains $a$, and suppose that $g: \ V\setminus a\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{m}$.
 
First of all the continuity is a must, for if

$
f(x) = \begin{array}{cc} \{ & \begin{array}{cc} -1 & x < 0 \\ 1 & x \geq 0 \end{array} \end{array} $

then $lim_{n \to \infty} \frac{1}{n} \to 1$ and $lim_{n \to \infty} - \frac{1}{n} \to -1$ ($n \in \mathbb{N}$)
f(x) is not continuous at x = 0.

so if you evaluate f(g(x)), $g(x) \in dom(F) $, then if $lim_{x \to a} g(x) \to 0$, then
$lim_{x \to a} f(g(x))$ could be either -1 or 1 (Depending on from which point (left or right) g(x) is heading towards a).

Which brings me to my next point, to verify continuity at a point $a$, you have to be able to evaluate it, namely it should be in the domain of f. if you remove it from the domain of f, like when you said $U-\{L\}$, then f(g(x)) $lim_{x \to a} f(g(x))$ g(x) is heading towards an undefined point, since $g(x) \to L$, how could you check continuity at an undefined point? Namely the definition of continuity is (f is continuous at a point a in its domain) if $lim_{x \to a} f(x) = f(a)$, where x can approach from any direction. if f(L) is not defined then how can we check continuity?

Your statement holds true if modified as follows
Let U be an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^{p}$, and g: U $\to \mathbb{R}^{m}$ and g is continuous at point $L \in U$
and let A be an open subet of $\mathbb{R}^{w}$, and h: A - {a} $ \to U$.
and assume $lim_{x \to a} h(x) = L$, and $lim_{y \to L} g(y) = M$, then it certainly holds that $lim_{x \to a} g(h(x)) = M$.

I also probably need to add the fact that a is not an isolated point of open set A. (can you tell me why?)
 
Last edited:

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