Proving Asymptotic Comparisons of Integrals

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving an asymptotic comparison involving integrals, specifically showing that for a piecewise continuous function \( f \) defined on \([0,+\infty[\) that approaches a limit \( \ell \) as \( x \) approaches infinity, the expression \( \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \) converges to \( \ell \). Participants are exploring the implications of this limit and the conditions under which it holds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the validity of their reasoning regarding the asymptotic behavior of the integral and the conditions necessary for the limit to hold. There are attempts to clarify notation and the properties of the function \( u \) used in the analysis.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants seeking confirmation of their reasoning and others questioning the assumptions made regarding the integrability of the function \( u \). There is a mix of agreement and differing interpretations regarding the properties of the functions involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are addressing the specific conditions under which the limit is evaluated, including the nature of the function \( f \) and its convergence properties. The discussion also touches on the implications of using different notations for limits.

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Homework Statement



Let ##f## be piecewise continuous from ##[0,+\infty[## into ##V = \mathbb{R} ## or ##\mathbb{C}##, such that ## f(x) \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell ##.

Show that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##

Homework Equations


[/B]
Integration of asymptotic comparisons

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Can you tell me if this is correct please ?

Since ##f - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1) ##, and since ## u: x \rightarrow 1 ## is non-negative, piecewise continuous, and non-integrable on ##[0,+\infty[##, then

## \int_0^x f(t) - \ell \ dt = o_{+\infty}(\int_0^x u(t) \ dt)##

which is the same as saying that ##\int_0^x f(t) \ dt - x \ell = o_{+\infty}(x) ##.

Multiplying left and right by ##\frac{1}{x}##, I get that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1)## which proves that

## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##.

Is this OK ?
 
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Never mind, I've had confirmation. Thanks !
 
geoffrey159 said:

Homework Statement



Let ##f## be piecewise continuous from ##[0,+\infty[## into ##V = \mathbb{R} ## or ##\mathbb{C}##, such that ## f(x) \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell ##.
I think this is nicer notation: ##\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \ell##
My LaTeX script is ##\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \ell##
geoffrey159 said:
Show that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##

Homework Equations


[/B]
Integration of asymptotic comparisons

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Can you tell me if this is correct please ?

Since ##f - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1) ##, and since ## u: x \rightarrow 1 ## is non-negative, piecewise continuous, and non-integrable on ##[0,+\infty[##, then

## \int_0^x f(t) - \ell \ dt = o_{+\infty}(\int_0^x u(t) \ dt)##

which is the same as saying that ##\int_0^x f(t) \ dt - x \ell = o_{+\infty}(x) ##.

Multiplying left and right by ##\frac{1}{x}##, I get that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1)## which proves that

## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##.

Is this OK ?
 
geoffrey159 said:

Homework Statement



Let ##f## be piecewise continuous from ##[0,+\infty[## into ##V = \mathbb{R} ## or ##\mathbb{C}##, such that ## f(x) \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell ##.

Show that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##

Homework Equations


[/B]
Integration of asymptotic comparisons

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
Can you tell me if this is correct please ?

Since ##f - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1) ##, and since ## u: x \rightarrow 1 ## is non-negative, piecewise continuous, and non-integrable on ##[0,+\infty[##, thena
Surely you meant "integrable" not "non-integrable" here?

## \int_0^x f(t) - \ell \ dt = o_{+\infty}(\int_0^x u(t) \ dt)##

which is the same as saying that ##\int_0^x f(t) \ dt - x \ell = o_{+\infty}(x) ##.

Multiplying left and right by ##\frac{1}{x}##, I get that ## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt - \ell = o_{+\infty}(1)## which proves that

## \frac{1}{x}\ \int_0^x f(t) \ dt \longrightarrow_{ x\rightarrow +\infty} \ell##.

Is this OK ?
 
Mark44 said:
I think this is nicer notation: ##\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \ell##
My LaTeX script is ##\lim_{x \to \infty} f(x) = \ell##

:-) Ok thanks, I'll try to follow that notation in the future

HallsofIvy said:
Surely you meant "integrable" not "non-integrable" here?

No, why do you say that? ##u = 1## is non-integrable on ##[0,+\infty[## since ##\int_0^x u(t) \ dt ## does not have a finite limit as ##x## tends to infinity.
 

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