Function equal up to nth order, diffbility

  • Thread starter Thread starter redyelloworange
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Function
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiability of functions and their equivalence up to the first order. The original poster presents a statement involving two functions, f and g, and explores the conditions under which f is differentiable at a point a, particularly in relation to the existence of a function g that is equal to f up to the first order.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of differentiability and the conditions under which two functions can be considered equal up to the first order. There are attempts to manipulate limits and explore the relationships between f and g. Questions arise regarding the existence of the function g and the necessary conditions for differentiability.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the implications of the original statement, while others are questioning the validity of the theorem presented. There is a recognition of the need for additional conditions regarding the behavior of f at the point a, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific examples that challenge the theorem, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the definitions and assumptions involved in the problem. Participants are also navigating the constraints of the homework context, which may limit the exploration of certain aspects.

redyelloworange
Messages
19
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Two functions f,g:R->R are equal up to nth order at if

lim h-->0 [f(a+h) - g(a+h) / hn ]= 0

Show that f is differentiable at a iff there is a function g(x)=b+m(x-a) such that f and g are equal up to first order at a.

Homework Equations



f is differentiable at a if the following limit exists:

lim h-->0 [f(a+h) - f(a) / h]


The Attempt at a Solution



Direction 1:
=>

Assume f is differentiable. Show there exists a function g(x)=b+m(x-a) such that f and g are equal up to first order at a.

So, lim h-->0 [f(a+h) - f(a) / h] exists and equals some L.

=>lim h-->0 [f(a+h) - f(a) - g(a+h) + g(a+h)/ h]
=>lim h-->0 [(f(a+h)- g(a+h)) - f(a) + g(a+h)/ h]

this implies that we want to show

lim h-->0 [g(a+h) - f(a)/h = L]

I'm not sure where to go from here.


Direction 2:
<=

Assume that lim h-->0 [f(a+h) -g(a+h) / h = 0]
show lim h-->0 [f(a+h) - f(a) / h] is equal to some constant.


Take lim h-->0 [f(a+h) -g(a+h) / h = 0]:

=> lim h-->0 [f(a+h) -g(a+h) -f(a) + f(a) - g(a) + g(a) / h = 0]

=> lim h-->0 [(f(a+h)-f(a)) -(g(a+h) - g(a)) + (f(a) - g(a))/ h = 0]

but lim h-->0 [f(a+h)-f(a)/h] is just f'
and lim h-->0 [g(a+h) - g(a)/h] is -m
so, we just need to show that
f(a) = g(a) and then lim h-->0 [f(a) - g(a)/h] = 0 and f' = m
Not sure how to do that.

That's all.

Thanks for your help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There exists g(x)=m+b(x-a) such that f and g are equal to the first order, so you need to find such g (i.e., the value of m and b) according to the diff'bility of f.
 
for both parts?
 
No, kekido said "such that f and g are equal to the first order" so he is talking about "if there exist g= m(x-a)+b such that f and g are equal to first order, then f is differentiable at x=a."

However, the theorem as stated is not true. For example, if f(x)= 2x if x is not 0, 1 if x= 0, and g(x)= 2x, we have f(0+h)= 2h for all non-zero h, g(0+h)= 2h for all h so
[tex]lim_{x\rightarrow a}\frac{f(0+h)-g(0+h)}{h}= 0[/itex] <br /> but f is not differentiable at n.<br /> <br /> You have to have some statement about what happens <b>at</b> x= a.[/tex]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K