Limit of a product with bounded function

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    Delta Epsilon Limit
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the limit of the product of two functions, where one function is bounded and the other approaches zero. Participants explore the implications of boundedness on the limit behavior of the product as the variable approaches a certain point.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a scenario where if \( \lim_{x \to c} f(x) = 0 \) and \( g(x) \) is bounded, then \( \lim_{x \to c} f(x)g(x) = 0 \) is to be proven.
  • Another participant suggests that when \( f(x) \) approaches zero, a bounded \( g(x) \) cannot dominate \( f(x) \), using an example where \( g(x) = x^{-2} \) leads to an infinite limit when \( f(x) = x \).
  • Concerns are raised about the case when the bound \( B < 1 \) and how it affects the inequalities involving limits of \( f(x) \) and \( g(x) \).
  • Further clarification is provided on the inequalities, emphasizing that if \( -B \leq g(x) \leq B \), then the product \( |f(x)g(x)| \) can still approach zero as \( x \) approaches \( c \).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the implications of the bound \( B < 1 \) and how it affects the limit, indicating that multiple views remain on this aspect of the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific inequalities and limits but do not resolve the implications of the bound \( B < 1 \) on the overall limit behavior.

Austin Chang
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Q's Let f,g ℝ→ℝ. Suppose that g is bounded. This means that its image is bounded or in other words there exists a positive real number B s.t. |g(x)| ≤ B ∀ x. Prove that if lim x→c f(x) = 0, then lim x→c f(x)g(x) = 0.
Work.
See the picture.
I am really confused I can't seem to understand the idea or the concept behind this. Can anyone explain in terms of like actual terms for example f(x) = x and g(x)= 1/(1+x^2) and parse through the idea with me? I kind of understand it but what is really messing me up is the min{,} I really need to understand that idea and that will really help me understand the idea as a whole.

Thanks
 

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I cannot see your image very well and don't want to spend more time to make it readable than it took you to type it in here.

The basic idea is, that when ##f(x)## tends to zero, then ##g(x)## being bounded cannot outperform ##f(x)##.
Look at an example in which it is not the case:
If ##f(x)=x## then ##\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x) = 0## and ##g(x) := x^{-2}## lead to ##\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x)g(x) = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} x^{-1} = \infty##. Here ##g## outperforms the limitation given by ##f##.

However, if ##g## is bounded, i.e. ##-B \leq g(x) \leq B##, then ##-B\cdot |f(x)| \leq |f(x)| \leq B\cdot |f(x)|##. Now take the limit ##x \rightarrow c## of these inequations.
 
fresh_42 said:
I cannot see your image very well and don't want to spend more time to make it readable than it took you to type it in here.

The basic idea is, that when ##f(x)## tends to zero, then ##g(x)## being bounded cannot outperform ##f(x)##.
Look at an example in which it is not the case:
If ##f(x)=x## then ##\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x) = 0## and ##g(x) := x^{-2}## lead to ##\lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x)g(x) = \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} x^{-1} = \infty##. Here ##g## outperforms the limitation given by ##f##.

However, if ##g## is bounded, i.e. ##-B \leq g(x) \leq B##, then ##-B\cdot |f(x)| \leq |f(x)| \leq B\cdot |f(x)|##. Now take the limit ##x \rightarrow c## of these inequations.
how about if B < 1?
 
Austin Chang said:
how about if B < 1?
How would this affect ##\lim_{x \rightarrow c} (-B\cdot |f(x)|) \leq \lim_{x \rightarrow c} |f(x)| \leq \lim_{x \rightarrow c}(B\cdot |f(x)|)\;##, then ##\lim_{x \rightarrow c} |f(x)g(x)|\; ## and at last ##\lim_{x \rightarrow c} f(x)g(x)\; ##?
 
Would it not cause
limx→c(B⋅|f(x)|) to be less than limx→c|f(x)|
 
Oh sorry, I've made a typing error and repeated it without looking at it again.
It should have been
$$-B \leq g(x) \leq B$$
$$\Rightarrow -B\cdot |f(x)| \leq |f(x)|\cdot g(x) \leq B\cdot |f(x)|$$
$$\Rightarrow \lim_{x \rightarrow c} (|f(x)|\cdot g(x)) = 0$$
$$\Rightarrow \lim_{x \rightarrow c} |f(x)\cdot g(x)| = 0$$
$$\Rightarrow \lim_{x \rightarrow c} (f(x)\cdot g(x)) = 0$$
 

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