MHB Prove No Uniformly Convergent Subsequence: Functional Sequence

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The discussion focuses on proving that the functional sequence defined by f_n(x) = cos(nx) has no uniformly convergent subsequence. A proposed proof assumes uniform convergence leads to a continuous limit function f, which contradicts the behavior of f_n at specific points. The key contradiction arises when evaluating f at x = π/(2n_j), revealing that the conditions for uniform convergence cannot be satisfied. Participants emphasize the need to ensure that j is sufficiently large to maintain the inequalities required for the proof. Overall, the proof is on the right track but needs clarification on the conditions for uniform convergence.
Arnold1
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SOLVED Prove that the functional sequence has no uniformly convergent subsequence -check

$$n \in \mathbb{R}, \ \ f_n \ : \ \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}, \ \ f_n(x) =\cos nx$$

We want to prove that $${f_n}$$ has no uniformly convergent subsequence.

This is my attempt at proving that:

Suppose that $$f_{n_{j}} \rightarrow f$$ uniformly. This means that $$f$$ is continuous(because cosnx is) and $$f(0) = \lim _{j \rightarrow +\infty}\cos 0=1$$.

Therefore there exists a $$\delta > 0$$ s.t. $$f(x) > \frac{1}{2}$$ for $$|x|< \delta$$.

Hence for $$j$$ large enough, the uniform convergence of $$f_{n_{j}}$$ tells us that $$|f(x) - f_{n_{j}}(x)|<\frac{1}{2}$$

But for one such $$j$$ and $$x=\frac{\pi}{2n_{j}}$$ we have

$$\frac{1}{2} < f(x) \le |f(x) - f_{n_{j}}(x)| + |f_{n_{j}}| < \frac{1}{2} + f_{n_{j}} = \frac{1}{2} + 0 = \frac{1}{2}$$ and we have a contradiction.

My question is - is everything here correct? I'm just beginning to study functional sequences and I would really appreciate any help.

Thank you.
 
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Re: SOLVED Prove that the functional sequence has no uniformly convergent subsequence -check

Arnold said:
Hence for $$j$$ large enough, the uniform convergence of $$f_{n_{j}}$$ tells us that $$|f(x) - f_{n_{j}}(x)|<\frac{1}{2}$$
It's nice to specify, "for all $x$".

Arnold said:
But for one such $$j$$ and $$x=\frac{\pi}{2n_{j}}$$ we have

$$\frac{1}{2} < f(x) \le |f(x) - f_{n_{j}}(x)| + |f_{n_{j}}| < \frac{1}{2} + f_{n_{j}} = \frac{1}{2} + 0 = \frac{1}{2}$$ and we have a contradiction.
You need $j$ large enough not just so that $$|f(x) - f_{n_{j}}(x)|<\frac{1}{2}$$ for all $x$, but also so that $$\frac{\pi}{2n_{j}}<\delta$$.

Otherwise, the proof looks very nice.
 
Ok, I'll do that. Thanks.
 

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