Finite linear combination of continuous functions is continuous?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Lipschitz continuity of finite linear combinations of continuous functions, specifically examining the functions ##G## and ##H##, which are real-valued Lipschitz continuous functions. The participants clarify that the correct definition of Lipschitz continuity limits the growth of functions, contrasting with an incorrect definition that allows unlimited growth. The challenge presented involves finding a constant ##K_3## to demonstrate that the linear combination ##aG(t) + bH(t)## remains Lipschitz continuous, with suggestions to utilize the triangle inequality for this purpose.

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TL;DR
This isn't a homework problem but a general question that I had.
Is the linear combination of Lipschitz continuous functions also continuous?
##G## and ##H## are real valued Lipschitz continuous functions. There exists a ##K_1,K_2\geq 0## such that for all ##s,t##,
$$(s-t)^2\leq K_1^2 (G(s)-G(t))^2$$
and
$$(s-t)^2\leq K_2^2 (H(s)-H(t))^2.$$
Is ##aG(t)+bH(t)## where ##a,b## are real constants also Lipschitz continuous?
I tried showing this is true and am having difficulty.
$$\begin{align*}
(s-t)^2&\leq K_3^2 (aG(t)+bH(t) -(aG(s)+bH(s)))^2\\
&= K_3^2(aG(t)-aG(s))+(bH(t)-bH(s)))^2\\
&= K_3^2 (a(G(t)-G(s))+b(H(t)-H(s)))^2\\
&=K_3^2(a^2(G(t)-G(s))^2+b^2(H(t)-H(s))^2 +ab(G(t)-G(s))(H(t)-H(s))
\end{align*}$$
I considered choosing ##K=\max\left(\frac{K_1}{a},\frac{K_2}{b} \right)## but realized it wouldn't work. A Little help would go a long way. Thanks.
 
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Oh yikes... it turns out the definition of Lipschitz continuous is wrong in my notes. I also think that the easiest way to find ##K_3## is using the triangle inequality after doing some work using the correct definition.
 
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docnet said:
Oh yikes... it turns out the definition of Lipschitz continuous is wrong in my notes. I also think that the easiest way to find ##K_3## is using the triangle inequality after doing some work using the correct definition.
Yes. Good catch. The definition you have in post #1 allows the function, G, to grow with unlimited speed. The correct definition of "Lipschitz continuous" is intended to do the opposite and limit the speed.
 
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FactChecker said:
Yes. Good catch. The definition you have in post #1 allows the function, G, to grow with unlimited speed. The correct definition of "Lipschitz continuous" is intended to do the opposite and limit the speed.
Noted! Thank you.

The wrong definition is also false, because for ##s##, ##t## and ##G## such that ##|s-t|>0## and ##G(s)=G(t)##, there does not exist a ##K\geq 0## such that ## |s-t|\leq K| G(s)-G(t)| = 0##.
 

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