Prove continuity of sqrt(x) on (0,infinity)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on proving the continuity of the function L(x) = √x on the interval E = (0, ∞). The proof utilizes the ε-δ definition of continuity, where ε > 0 is given, and the relationship |L(x) - L(x₀)| = |√x - √x₀| is analyzed. The participant successfully manipulates the expression to derive a δ that satisfies the continuity condition, ultimately concluding that setting δ = ε² ensures |y - y₀| < ε for y, y₀ > 0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the ε-δ definition of continuity in real analysis
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation involving square roots
  • Knowledge of inverse functions and their properties
  • Basic skills in limits and inequalities
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  • Study the ε-δ definition of continuity in more depth
  • Practice algebraic techniques for manipulating square roots and inequalities
  • Explore the properties of inverse functions in real analysis
  • Learn about continuity proofs for other common functions
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Students in real analysis, particularly those preparing for exams involving continuity proofs, as well as educators looking for examples of continuity arguments using the ε-δ method.

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Homework Statement


This is a problem from my Analysis exam review sheet.

Let L(x) = [itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex]. Prove L is continuous on E = (0,[itex]\infty[/itex])

The Attempt at a Solution



The way we've been doing these proofs all semester is to let [itex]\epsilon > 0[/itex] be given, then assume [itex]\left| x -x_{0} \right| < \delta[/itex] (which we figure out later) and [itex]x_{0} \in E[/itex]

Then look at.
[itex]\left| L(x) - L(x_{0}) \right| = \left| \sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x_{0}}\right|[/itex]
and try to get a [itex]\left( x -x_{0} \right)[/itex] term which we can control, so that we can figure out a [itex]\delta[/itex] which will allow us to get the entire thing less than [itex]\epsilon[/itex]. So essentially I understand how to do the proof. My algebra skills are just really rusty and I can't figure out the long division or whatever I need to do to get a [itex]\left( x -x_{0} \right)[/itex] term out of that.
 
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One trick is to abuse inverse functions whose continuity you can deal with

If you let [itex]y^2=x[/itex] and [itex]y_0^2 = x_0[/itex] then
[tex]|x-x_0| = |y^2-y_0^2| = |y_0-y||y_0+y|<\delta[/tex]

Now you want to show that [itex]|y-y_0|<\epsilon[/itex] if delta is small enough
 
Thanks for the quick response, I think I see where to go from here, but just to make sure.
Let [itex]\delta = \epsilon^{2}[/itex]
We know [itex]\left| y + y_{0} \right| > \left| y - y_{0} \right|[/itex] since [itex]y[/itex] and [itex]y_{0}[/itex] are positive.
and since [itex]\left| y + y_{0} \right| \left| y - y_{0} \right| < \delta = \epsilon^{2}[/itex]
We can see that [itex]\left| y - y_{0} \right| < \sqrt{\delta} = \epsilon[/itex]
 

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