Show that g is continuous part 2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the continuity of the function g, defined as the maximum of a set of continuous functions f1, f2, ..., fN on the interval [a, b]. Participants are exploring different approaches to establish this property, with a focus on the implications of continuity in the context of maximum functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing various proofs and restructuring arguments to demonstrate that the maximum of continuous functions is also continuous. There is an emphasis on careful handling of inequalities and the relationship between different functions at various points.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided feedback on the need for precision in the treatment of inequalities and the ordering of functions. Others are attempting to build on previous proofs by establishing a base case for pairs of functions before extending to N functions. The discussion is ongoing, with no clear consensus yet reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to clarify their assumptions regarding the ordering of functions and the implications of continuity in their proofs. There is a recognition that the strict inequalities may not hold in all cases, prompting further exploration of the conditions under which the maximum function remains continuous.

ares25
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Let f1,...,fN be continuous functions on interval [a,b]. Let g:[a,b] -> R be the function give by
g(x) = max{ f1(x),..., fN(x)}.


show that g is a continuous function

i posted this earlier with one proof, I am trying another more general

let ε >0 and arbitrary k. if f1(x) >...> fN(x) then since f1(x) - fN(x) is continuous, there is δ1 > 0 so that on |x-k| < δ1. we have that |f1(x) - fN(x)| > |f1(k) - fN(k)|/2

in particular then, for |x-k| <δ1 we have that max(f1(x),...,fN(x) = f(x). then there is δ2 > 0 so that for |x-k| < δ2 we have |f1(x)-f1(k)| <ε. now for |x-k| , δ = min(δ1, δ2) we have |max(f1(x),...,fN(x)) - max(f1(k),...,fN(k))| = |f1(x)-f1(k)| < ε.
The case of fN(k) >...>f1(k) is the same.

if f1(k) = fN(k) then there is δ1 >0 so that for |x-k| <δ1. |f1(x)-f1(k)| < ε and there is δ2 so that for |x-k| < δ2 we have |fN(x)-fN(k)|< ε. then for |x-k| < δ= min(δ1,δ2) we have
|max(f1(x),...,fN(x)) - max(f1(k),...,fN(k)| < ε.

since the above is either |f1(x)-f1(k)| or |fN(x)-fN(k)|.

by g(x) = max{f1(x),..., fN(x), then g(x) is also continuous

is this too general of a proof that is misses a lot in between?
 
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ares25 said:
Let f1,...,fN be continuous functions on interval [a,b]. Let g:[a,b] -> R be the function give by
g(x) = max{ f1(x),..., fN(x)}.show that g is a continuous function

i posted this earlier with one proof, I am trying another more general

let ε >0 and arbitrary k. if f1(x) >...> fN(x) then since f1(x) - fN(x) is continuous, there is δ1 > 0 so that on |x-k| < δ1. we have that |f1(x) - fN(x)| > |f1(k) - fN(k)|/2
You need to be more careful about your strict inequalities. It may be that ##f_1(x) = f_2(x) = \ldots = f_N(x)##, so your strict sequence of inequalities may not exist, even if you reorder the indexes.

Also, how does the ##x## in your ##f_1(x) > f_2(x) > \ldots > f_N(x)## relate to the ##x## in the rest of the sentence? I assume you recognize that for different values of ##x##, the ordering may be different. For example, if ##f_j(x) = jx## for each ##j \in \{1, \ldots, N\}##, then for ##x > 0## we have ##f_N(x) > f_{N-1}(x) > \ldots > f_1(x)##, whereas for ##x < 0## the inequalities are reversed.
 
Im going to restructure for base step: some f(x) and g(x) that are continuous, then max(f(x),g(x)) is also continuous. use the proof above to prove that. switch out f1 for f(x) and fN for g(x). then say that from the base step f(x),g(x) we can have max f1,f2 is continuous then fi,fi+1 is also continuous up till N. so that we may may have max of each pairs up till N. since g(x) is the max of all pairs with each pair being continuous (by repetition of all max) g(x) is also continuous. Its rough but I hope I'm on the right process. Thanks again.
 
ares25 said:
Im going to restructure for base step: some f(x) and g(x) that are continuous, then max(f(x),g(x)) is also continuous. use the proof above to prove that. switch out f1 for f(x) and fN for g(x). then say that from the base step f(x),g(x) we can have max f1,f2 is continuous then fi,fi+1 is also continuous up till N. so that we may may have max of each pairs up till N. since g(x) is the max of all pairs with each pair being continuous (by repetition of all max) g(x) is also continuous. Its rough but I hope I'm on the right process. Thanks again.
OK, if you post the details here after you finish the proof, I'll be happy to check it out.
 

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