# Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded Review my work please!

1. Nov 16, 2010

### mmmboh

So I gave it a go, and I just want to make sure my argument is convincing:

If f is uniformly continuous and unbounded on [0,∞), then for some c in [0,∞], lim x->cf(x) = ±∞(notice the closed brackets, I wanted to leave the option that c can be infinity, is this how I should write it? if not, how?), because if this wasn't true, then lim x->cf(x)=A (A is finite) for all c in [0,∞], but then f would be bounded (is this convincing?). Now suppose c is in [0,∞) (open bracket, so c isn't infinity), then lim x->cf(x) = ±∞, but since c is finite and f is continuous, then by the definition of continuity f is defined at c, but then f(c)= ±∞, but ±∞ isn't even in the reals so then f wouldn't be undefined at c, so it wouldn't be continuous. So c=∞, and lim x->∞f(x) = ±∞.

Thoughts?

2. Nov 17, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

I disagree with this. If the limit is not infinity, then the possibility also exists that the limit does not exist. For example $$f(x)=x\sin(x)$$ (note that this function is not uniform continuous, so it doesnt contradict our statement.

3. Nov 17, 2010

### mmmboh

Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Ok well, the limit may be not exist at infinity, but it will still be bounded, no? (if it is uniformly continuous). How do you think I should approach this?

Note: If f is uniformly continuous and unbounded on [0,∞), then for some c in [0,∞], lim x->cf(x) = ±∞. This still remains true right? I mean this is the definition of unbounded, so maybe I can just erase the part you disagreed with?

Basically if I wrote this: If f is uniformly continuous and unbounded on [0,∞), then for some c in [0,∞], lim x->cf(x) = ±∞. Now suppose c is in [0,∞), then lim x->cf(x) = ±∞, but since c is finite and f is continuous, then by the definition of continuity f is defined at c, but then f(c)= ±∞, but ±∞ isn't even in the reals so then f wouldn't be undefined at c, so it wouldn't be continuous. So c=∞, and lim x->∞f(x) = ±∞.

Edit: Hm come to think of it, what I wrote might imply that lim x->∞xsinx=∞ (ignoring the uniformly continuous part), so I need to justify it for uniform continuity somehow, assuming it is true.

Last edited: Nov 17, 2010
4. Nov 17, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Hmm, I think that you should prove this. I don't think it's evident (I don't even know if it's true)...

5. Nov 19, 2010

### mmmboh

Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Well that's almost what the question is asking me to prove. Do you have an idea on how to do it for me? I know that lim x->cf(x) = ±∞ could not happen anywhere but at infinity, but I'm not sure how to show it must happen at infinity in the case of uniform continuity (assuming it is true, I believe it is).

I guess I can show that if f is unbounded and continuous on [0,∞) and lim x->∞f(x)≠±∞, then it is not uniformly continuous, but still, any ideas?

Last edited: Nov 19, 2010
6. Nov 19, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

If you don't find anything fast, then maybe you can start searching after counterexamples...
A counterexample will look like f(x)=xsin(x), but this function goes to fast up and down. Maybe you can find a function which will go up and down a bit slower...

7. Nov 19, 2010

### ystael

Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

You can be much cruder; try a piecewise-linear function of bounded slope.

8. Nov 19, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Yes, that's a very good counterexample!

9. Nov 19, 2010

### mmmboh

Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Thanks. You think it's ok to just leave it defined as I did? because I can't think of a nicer way to do it, you know without having to write ....

10. Nov 19, 2010

### micromass

Staff Emeritus
Re: Is it True that if f is Uniformly Continuous and Unbounded...Review my work pleas

Well, I think the idea of the counterexample is clear. You could probably make the definition more formal, but this would be rather ugly and imo doesn't help in grasping the concept. So I'd say to leave it like it is....