MHB Piecewise Continuous and piecewise smooth functions

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The discussion focuses on determining the properties of four functions regarding piecewise continuity and piecewise smoothness, specifically in the interval [-1, 1] with f(0) = 0. The function f(x) = sin(1/x) is noted to require limits from both sides to establish continuity at x = 0. For piecewise smoothness, the continuity of first derivatives is emphasized as a necessary condition. Participants express uncertainty about how to approach the problem, particularly in evaluating the derivatives for smoothness. Overall, the thread seeks clarity on the definitions and applications of piecewise continuous and piecewise smooth functions.
comfortablynumb
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I do not know to start. Here is the problem.Determine if the given function is piecewise continuous, piecewise smooth, or neither. Here $x\neq0$ is in the interval $[-1,1]$ and $f(0)=0$ in all cases.

1. $f(x)=sin(\frac{1}{x})$
2. $f(x)=xsin(\frac{1}{x})$
3. $f(x)={x}^{2}sin(\frac{1}{x})$
4. $f(x)={x}^{3}sin(\frac{1}{x})$ .
 
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comfortablynumb said:
I do not know to start. Here is the problem.Determine if the given function is piecewise continuous, piecewise smooth, or neither. Here $x\neq0$ is in the interval $[-1,1]$ and $f(0)=0$ in all cases.

1. $f(x)=sin(\frac{1}{x})$
2. $f(x)=xsin(\frac{1}{x})$
3. $f(x)={x}^{2}sin(\frac{1}{x})$
4. $f(x)={x}^{3}sin(\frac{1}{x})$ .
Surely you can do the piecewise continuous part? It's just matching up if the curves are continous. So, for example, sin(1/x) has to have two limits: [math]\lim_{x \to 0^+} f(x) = 0[/math] (since f(0) = 0) and [math]\lim_{x \to 0^-} f(x) = 0[/math].

Piecewise smooth would be if the first derivatives are continuous. Do you need help with that part?

-Dan
 
We all know the definition of n-dimensional topological manifold uses open sets and homeomorphisms onto the image as open set in ##\mathbb R^n##. It should be possible to reformulate the definition of n-dimensional topological manifold using closed sets on the manifold's topology and on ##\mathbb R^n## ? I'm positive for this. Perhaps the definition of smooth manifold would be problematic, though.

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