# Proving a Function is Riemann Integrable

1. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Let f, g : [a, b] $$\rightarrow$$ R be integrable on [a, b]. Then, prove that h(x) = max{f(x), g(x)} for
x $$\in$$ [a, b] is integrable.
1

2. Relevant equations

Definition of integrability: for each epsilon greater than zero there exists a partition P so that U(f,P)-L(f,P)<epsilon

3. The attempt at a solution

Ok i have absolutley no clue how to do this one. The following graph is how i think the function would look : http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c373/SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE/Graph2.jpg

Sorry about the crude drawing, but the very light blue would be h(x)

But i honest to god cant see a way to make U(f,P)-L(f,P)<epsilon a true statement

2. Jan 21, 2008

### morphism

Hint: Prove that if f is integrable then so is |f|.

Why does this help?

3. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

I know that that is a theorem in the book, but i dont see how its applicable here.

i also know that |Integral(f)| < Integral(|f|) comes from that statement.

Last edited: Jan 21, 2008
4. Jan 21, 2008

### morphism

Try writing max(f,g) in terms of absolute values. To get a feel for this, try to find such an expression for max(f,0).

5. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

how do you mean in absolute values?

like max(f,g)<max(|f|,|g|)?

edit: guess not

im trying to figure out this for h(x)= max(f,0)

so we know h(x) = f if f is positive and 0 else.

but i cant figure this out for the other thing.

6. Jan 21, 2008

### morphism

max(f,0) = (|f| + f)/2

7. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

I see where this argument is going. Basically you are gunna describe h(x) as a sum of absolute values of functions we already know are integrable, therefore the result is integrable.

Now to figure out max(f,g)...

8. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

sorry for the tripple post. but i got a little bit farther

max(f,g)= [(g+|g|)+ (f+|f|)] /2 - min(f,g)

but then i gotta figure out how to describe the min function...

9. Jan 21, 2008

### morphism

Try to think about f-g and f+g.

10. Jan 21, 2008

### SNOOTCHIEBOOCHEE

ok ya im not getting this

[(g+|g|)+ (f+|f|)] /2 = f+g if f and g are the same sign

11. Jan 21, 2008

### morphism

I really don't know how to give you any more hints that don't involve giving you the answer! Maybe try thinking about why (|f|+f)/2 gives us max(f,0). Try to sleep on it.