Testing Limits: Can False Statements Exist?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of a function \( f(x) \) defined within a specific interval, particularly focusing on limits and differentiability. The original poster presents a problem involving the limits and continuity of \( f(x) \) at various points, questioning which statements about the function could potentially be false.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use process of elimination to determine which statements could be false, expressing uncertainty about their reasoning. They specifically reconsider the differentiability of \( f(x) \) at \( x=1 \). Other participants support this line of questioning, emphasizing the distinction between continuity and differentiability.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring the implications of continuity and differentiability. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of differentiability in relation to continuity, and there is a recognition of the possibility of a cusp affecting the derivative at a specific point.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is framed by the constraints of the problem, including the specified limits and the behavior of \( f(x) \) at the endpoints of the interval. The original poster's confusion highlights the complexities inherent in the definitions of continuity and differentiability.

Anonymous217
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Homework Statement


If [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow c} f(x) = f(c)[/tex] for all values of c, 0<or= c <or=5, and f(0)[tex]\neq[/tex]f(5), which of the following could be false?
A. f(4) exists

B. f'(1) exists

C. [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow2^+} f(x)[/tex] exists

D. [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow3} f(x) = \lim_{x\rightarrow3^+} f(x)[/tex]

E. [tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow0^+} f(x) \neq \lim_{x\rightarrow5} f(x)[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried process of elimination, but they all seemed true.
A. f(4) exists simply by the first condition.
B. f'(1) should exist because the limit for f(1) exists.
C. this should exist if limit of x to 2 f(x) exists.
D. If the limit on both sides exist, it should be equal to the right side or the left side as well.
E. limit of 0 from the right side = limit of 0 from both sides, which is = f(0); the other part is = f(5), so this statement should be true.

Clearly I've made a mistake in my logic somewhere.. :(EDIT: Oh, wait, could it be B? If you do a cusp at x=1, then the f(1) exists, but f'(1) doesn't.
 
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It looks to me B. Because, eventhough f, with the given properties/conditions, is continuous at 1, remember that continuity does not imply differentiability(while the converse is true).
 
Anonymous217 said:


EDIT: Oh, wait, could it be B? If you do a cusp at x=1, then the f(1) exists, but f'(1) doesn't.


You got it right! For instance, [tex]f(x)={\frac {\sqrt { \left| x \right| }}{{x}^{2}+1}[/tex] vanishes at x=0; while its derivative [tex]1/2\,{\frac { \left| 1 \right| }{\sqrt { \left| x \right| } \left( {x}^{2}+1 \right) }}-2\,{\frac {\sqrt { \left| x \right| }x}{ \left( {x}^{2}+1 \right) ^{2}}}[/tex] is not defined at the same point.

AB
 
Thanks for the confirmation guys.
 

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