Proving Differentiability of a Continuous Function at x=0

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the differentiability of a continuous function \( f \) at \( x=0 \), given that \( |f| \) is differentiable at that point. It establishes that if \( f \) is continuous at \( 0 \), then the limit defining the derivative of \( f \) exists. The proof involves analyzing three cases based on the value of \( f(0) \): when \( f(0) > 0 \), \( f(0) < 0 \), and \( f(0) = 0 \). The key conclusion is that the differentiability of \( |f| \) at \( 0 \) ensures the differentiability of \( f \) at the same point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of limits and continuity in calculus
  • Familiarity with the definition of differentiability
  • Knowledge of the triangle inequality in mathematical analysis
  • Basic properties of real-valued functions
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  • Explore the implications of the triangle inequality in proofs
  • Examine cases of differentiability for piecewise functions
  • Learn about the relationship between continuity and differentiability in real analysis
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Homework Statement



"A real valued function, f, has the following property:

\left|f\right| is differentiable at x=0​

Prove that if we specify that f is continuous at 0, then f is also differentiable at 0."

Homework Equations



Since \left|f \right| is differentiable we know the following:
\lim_{x\to0} \frac{\left|f(x)\right|-\left|f(0)\right|}{x} exists, which means:

\vee \epsilon&gt;0 \exists \delta &gt;0 st if \left|x\right|&lt;\delta, \left|\frac{\left|f(x)\right|-\left|f(0)\right|}{x} - \left|f&#039;(0)\right|\right|&lt;\epsilon

Likewise, since f is continuous at 0 we know:

\vee \epsilon&gt;0 \exists \delta &gt;0 st if \left|x\right|&lt;\delta, \left|f(x) - f(0)\right|&lt;\epsilon

We want to show:

\lim_{x\to0} \frac{f(x)-f(0)}{x} exists, which mean we want to show:

\vee \epsilon&gt;0 \exists \delta &gt;0 st if \left|x\right|&lt;\delta, \left|\frac{f(x)-f(0)}{x} - f&#039;(0)\right|&lt;\epsilon


The Attempt at a Solution



I am not really sure where to go. I thought of using triangle inequality, but that would won't work since it implies the other direction.
 
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Maybe you should split up in three cases:

1) f(0)>0
In this case, we have f=|f| on a neighbourhood of 0. So differentiability of f is guaranteed.

2) f(0)<0
Analogous.

3) f(0)=0
This is probably the hardest case. Try to show that the derivative of |f| in 0, must be 0. This will help...
 

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