Integrability of f(x): Adams Textbook Questions

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the Riemann integrability of two functions as presented in the Adams textbook. The first function, defined as f(x) = 0 for 0 ≤ x < 1 or 1 < x ≤ 2 and f(1) = 1, is shown to be Riemann integrable using the partition P = {0, 1-e/3, 1+e/3, 2}, resulting in L(f,P) = 0 and U(f,P) = 2e/3. The second function, f(x) = 1 if x is rational and f(x) = 0 if x is irrational, yields L(f,P) = 0 and U(f,P) = 1 due to the presence of both rational and irrational numbers in any interval.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Riemann integrability
  • Familiarity with partitions in integration
  • Knowledge of epsilon (ε) in mathematical analysis
  • Basic concepts of rational and irrational numbers
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of Riemann sums in detail
  • Learn about the properties of rational and irrational numbers in intervals
  • Explore the implications of the Lebesgue integrability
  • Investigate the role of partitions in determining integrability
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Students of calculus, mathematicians focusing on real analysis, and educators teaching integration concepts will benefit from this discussion.

sony
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Ok, so I have two questions regarding something I don't understand in my textbook (Adams)

1.
0 if 0<=x<1 or 1<x<=2
f(x) = 1 if x=1

(by "<=" i mean less than or equal)

I'm supposed to show that it is Riemann integrable on that interval.
They chose P to be: {0, 1-e/3, 1+e/3,2}
L(f,P)=0 (I think I understand this, its just the sum of zero?)

They then get U(f,p)= 0(1-e/3) +1(2e/3) +0(2-(1+e/3))=2e/3 <-- I have no idea how they get this!

And how do they chose that specific partition?

(I get that f is integrable since U(f,P)-L(f,P)=2e/3<e
(I've used e as epsilon :P)

Question 2:
1 if x is rational
f(x)= 0 if x is irrational

I have no idea how they get L(f,P) to be 0 and U(f,P) to be 1!

Thanks!
 
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sony said:
Ok, so I have two questions regarding something I don't understand in my textbook (Adams)

1.
0 if 0<=x<1 or 1<x<=2
f(x) = 1 if x=1

(by "<=" i mean less than or equal)

I'm supposed to show that it is Riemann integrable on that interval.
They chose P to be: {0, 1-e/3, 1+e/3,2}
L(f,P)=0 (I think I understand this, its just the sum of zero?)

They then get U(f,p)= 0(1-e/3) +1(2e/3) +0(2-(1+e/3))=2e/3 <-- I have no idea how they get this!

And how do they chose that specific partition?
They chose that specific partition so that the "odd point" x= 1 where f(1)= 1 is in a very small interval. The fact is that 0 to 1-e, 1-e to 1+e, 1+e to 2 (e= epsilon some very small number) would have worked just as well.
The interval from 0 to 1- e/3 has length 1- e/3, the highest and lowest values of f are both 0 since f is identically equal to 0. That product (the area of the rectangle) is 0(1- e/3)= 0. The interval from 1- e/3 to 1+ e/3 has length 2e/3 and f has highest value 1, lowest value 0 in that interval. The products (areas of highest and lowest rectangles) are (2e/3)(1)= 2e/3 and (2e/3)(0)= 0, respectively. Finally, the interval from 1+ e/3 to 2 is 2- (1+e/3)= 1-e/3 and, again, f is identically equal to 0 so the "upper" and "lower" products are 0(1- e/3)= 0 again.
Okay, using the lowest values we get L(f,P)= 0+ 0+ 0= 0 and using the highest values we get U(f,P)= 0+ 2e/3+ 0= 2e/3

(I get that f is integrable since U(f,P)-L(f,P)=2e/3<e
(I've used e as epsilon :P)
Yes, since by taking e going to 0, we can make those the same: the integral, which, in this case, is 0.

Question 2:
1 if x is rational
f(x)= 0 if x is irrational

I have no idea how they get L(f,P) to be 0 and U(f,P) to be 1!

Thanks!

Every interval contains both rational and irrational numbers. What is the lowest value of f in any interval? What is the highest value of f in any interval?
 

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