Show that (0, ∞) is homeomorphic to (0, 1)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around demonstrating that the intervals (0, ∞) and (0, 1) are homeomorphic. Participants explore various functions that could serve as homeomorphisms, focusing on the continuity of these functions and their inverses, as well as the requirements for bijections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes the function tan(πx - π/2) as a mapping from (0, 1) to (0, ∞) and seeks help in proving its continuity using an epsilon-delta approach.
  • Another participant suggests that continuity of trigonometric functions can be assumed at this level, but also mentions the possibility of using trigonometric identities for a formal proof.
  • A different participant discusses the composition of continuous functions and provides a method to verify bijections through specific mappings, including f(x) = (π/2)x and g(x) = tan(x), along with their inverses.
  • Several simpler examples of functions that could also serve as mappings are listed, including -ln(x) and arctanh(x).
  • One participant reiterates the need to show that the proposed function is continuous and suggests alternative functions that could be useful for similar questions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of confidence regarding the continuity of the proposed functions and the methods to prove it. There is no consensus on a single function or method, and multiple approaches are discussed without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the need for rigorous proofs and the use of epsilon-delta definitions, indicating that assumptions about continuity may not be universally accepted. The discussion includes various proposed functions and mappings, but their effectiveness as homeomorphisms remains under consideration.

Mikaelochi
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TL;DR
(1) I need to find a function that maps (0, ∞) to (0, 1) or vice a versa. (2) Show f is a bijection (3) Show that f is continuous (4) that the inverse of f is continuous
So, I already have a function in mind: tan(pi*x - pi/2) that maps (0, 1) to (0, oo). I just forget how to rigorously show that a function is continuous. I was hoping to get some help on showing that this tangent function I just wrote is continuous (not the topological definition, just like the real analysis definition). Rigorously that is. Thanks!
 
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Mikaelochi said:
Summary:: (1) I need to find a function that maps (0, oo) to (0, 1) or vice a versa. (2) Show f is a bijection (3) Show that f is continuous (4) that the inverse of f is continuous

So, I already have a function in mind: tan(pi*x - pi/2) that maps (0, 1) to (0, oo). I just forget how to rigorously show that a function is continuous. I was hoping to get some help on showing that this tangent function I just wrote is continuous (not the topological definition, just like the real analysis definition). Rigorously that is. Thanks!
Are you sure that function works?

You mean an epsilon-delta proof that ##\tan## and ##\arctan## are continuous?
 
Yeah I mean an epsilon-delta proof that tan and arctan are continuous.
 
Mikaelochi said:
Yeah I mean an epsilon-delta proof that tan and arctan are continuous.
I'm tempted to say that with a problem at this level you may assume the continuity of trig functions. Otherwise, you could use some trig identities to crank out a formal proof.
 
You have a composition of continuous maps, which is continuous. Can prove this fact in general using epsilon-delta trickery. If you want bijections, there is a good way of getting those via composition.

<br /> (0,1) \xrightarrow[]{f} (0,\pi/2) \xrightarrow[]{g} (0,\infty)<br />
Put
<br /> f(x) = \frac{\pi}{2}x \quad\mbox{and}\quad f^{-1}(x) = \frac{2}{\pi}x<br />
also
<br /> g(x) = \tan x \quad\mbox{and}\quad g^{-1}(x) = \arctan x<br />
Verify you do have inverses i.e ##g\circ g^{-1} ## and ##g^{-1}\circ g ## are the identities. A homeomorphism would then be ##g\circ f ##. As for continuity, note that in ##(0,\infty)##
|\arctan a - \arctan b|\leqslant |\arctan (a-b)| \leqslant |a-b|
Lipschitz maps are continuous.
 
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Simpler examples: <br /> \begin{align*}<br /> x &amp;\mapsto -\ln x \\<br /> x &amp;\mapsto x^{-1} - 1 \\<br /> x &amp;\mapsto x/(1 - x) \\<br /> x &amp;\mapsto \operatorname{arctanh}(x)<br /> \end{align*}<br />
 
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Mikaelochi said:
Summary:: (1) I need to find a function that maps (0, oo) to (0, 1) or vice a versa. (2) Show f is a bijection (3) Show that f is continuous (4) that the inverse of f is continuous

So, I already have a function in mind: tan(pi*x - pi/2) that maps (0, 1) to (0, oo). I just forget how to rigorously show that a function is continuous. I was hoping to get some help on showing that this tangent function I just wrote is continuous (not the topological definition, just like the real analysis definition). Rigorously that is. Thanks!
Useful functions to handle with similar question is $$f(x)=\frac{x}{1-|x|}$$ and $$g(x)=\frac{x}{1+|x|},$$ with some change of variable. Note that ##x## can be a vector, like one in ##\mathbb{R}^2##, for instace. Try to search to "\(\frac{x}{1-|x|}\)" on SearchOnMath.
 

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