Understanding the Implication in the Proof of a Theorem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications in the proof of a theorem related to limits and continuity in calculus. Participants explore the conditions under which the theorem holds, specifically focusing on the continuity of a function and the behavior of limits as they approach a certain point. The conversation includes technical reasoning and clarifications regarding the definitions of limits and continuity.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about a specific implication in the proof, questioning whether the condition |g(x)-b|<δ1 implies |f(g(x))-f(b)|<ε, and suggests that g(x) must take values in an interval containing b.
  • Another participant points out the need for g(x) to be in the domain of f for the argument to hold, stating that if |g(x)-b|<δ1, then g(x) must be in the domain of f.
  • Several participants discuss the definition of limits, with some expressing uncertainty about the notation and the conditions under which limits are defined.
  • One participant questions whether both statements need to be proven when establishing the equality of two limits, seeking clarification on the necessity of proving both directions.
  • Another participant emphasizes that if neither limit is given to exist, the statement may not be true, indicating a conditional understanding of the theorem.
  • Some participants express confusion regarding the implications of ε and δ in the context of limits, suggesting that the definitions may not be clear to everyone involved in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement. While some clarify and support the definitions of limits and continuity, others express confusion and question the implications of the theorem. There is no consensus on the understanding of the implications or the necessity of proving both statements regarding limits.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight limitations in their understanding of the definitions and implications of limits, suggesting that assumptions about ε and δ may not be universally understood. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with the formal definitions and their applications in proofs.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students learning about limits and continuity in calculus, particularly those seeking clarification on the implications of theorems and the definitions involved in proofs.

MIB
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This theorem I understand but I was only stuck in a simple implication in the proof

Theorem : If f is continuous at b and {lim}_{x \rightarrow a} g(x) = b ,
then , {lim}_{x \rightarrow a} f(g(x)) = f(b) .

proof

since f is continuous at b then , Given \epsilon &gt; 0 , there exists \delta_1 &gt; 0 such that ,

if 0 &lt; |y-b|&lt;\delta then |f(x)-f(b)|&lt;\epsilon ... 1

and since {lim}_{x \rightarrow a} g(x) = b , then ther exist δ such that ,

if 0 &lt; |x-a|&lt;\delta then |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1

it is easy to show that f is defined on some open interval containing a , the proplem is in the following implication ,
that is |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1 implies |f(x)-f(b)|&lt;\epsilon

Here I see that this true only if g(x) is in the domain of f to replace it with y that is there is some y such that y=g(x) where g(x) must takes all values in some interval containing b ( Right) , I see tat is true because because we can make |g(x)-b|&lt;\epsilon for arbitrary ε , that is even for very small ε so we must have then g(x) takes all values on some interval containing b . (Right)

Thanks

sorry I posted before I finished

Mod note: For absolute values, just use two | characters.
 
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help i would give but
 
MIB said:
Theorem : If f is continuous at b and \stackrel{{\lim}}{{x\rightarrow a}}

This makes no sense. If you want to state a limit in tex, use:

\lim_{x \to a}

inside the tex tags.
 
gb7nash said:
This makes no sense. If you want to state a limit in tex, use:

\lim_{x \to a}

inside the tex tags.

I corrected the post .

Thanks
 
MIB said:
Here I see that this true only if g(x) is in the domain of f to replace it with y that is there is some y such that y=g(x) where g(x) must takes all values in some interval containing b ( Right) , I see tat is true because because we can make |g(x)-b|&lt;\epsilon for arbitrary ε , that is even for very small ε so we must have then g(x) takes all values on some interval containing b . (Right)

Thanks

sorry I posted before I finished

Mod note: For absolute values, just use two | characters.

Now I think that all what I say in the end was useless but I am not sure , the definition says that if a function f is defined on some open containing a except possibly at a , then we write

\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L

if for every ε > 0 , there exists positive number δ such that

if 0&lt; |x-a|&lt;\delta then |f(x)-L|&lt;\epsilon

here in definition it says that for any x which satisfy the first inequality x must be element of the domain of f . so I didn't need to justify that g(x) belong to the domain of f because if |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1 , g(x) which satisfy this inequality will automatically element of dom(f) because any y such that 0 &lt; |y-b|&lt;\delta_1 , that is the reason that we can replace y with g(x) where there is g(x) do the same job as y , so we have
whenever 0 &lt; |x-a|&lt;\delta , |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1 which implies |f(g(x))-f(b)|&lt;\epsilon ( I wrote it wrong in my first post sorry I am not used to write on computer )

please tell me if I am understanding the definition well .

Thanks
 
MIB said:
Now I think that all what I say in the end was useless but I am not sure , the definition says that if a function f is defined on some open containing a except possibly at a , then we write

\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L

if for every ε > 0 , there exists positive number δ such that

if 0&lt; |x-a|&lt;\delta then |f(x)-L|&lt;\epsilon

here in definition it says that for any x which satisfy the first inequality x must be element of the domain of f . so I didn't need to justify that g(x) belong to the domain of f because if |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1 , g(x) which satisfy this inequality will automatically element of dom(f) because any y such that 0 &lt; |y-b|&lt;\delta_1 , that is the reason that we can replace y with g(x) where there is g(x) do the same job as y , so we have
whenever 0 &lt; |x-a|&lt;\delta , |g(x)-b|&lt;\delta_1 which implies |f(g(x))-f(b)|&lt;\epsilon ( I wrote it wrong in my first post sorry I am not used to write on computer )

please tell me if I am understanding the definition well .

Thanks

IS This argument is right
 
"Given ϵ>0 , there exists δ1>0 "
Where did ϵ and δ come from?
I don't recall learning this at all when learning limits.
 
RandomMystery said:
"Given ϵ>0 , there exists δ1>0 "
Where did ϵ and δ come from?
I don't recall learning this at all when learning limits.

I don't understand you . How did you learn limits ?
 
RandomMystery said:
"Given ϵ>0 , there exists δ1>0 "
Where did ϵ and δ come from?
I don't recall learning this at all when learning limits.
The definition of "\lim_{x\to a} f(x)= L" is

"Given \epsilon&gt; 0, there exist \delta&gt; 0 such that if 0&lt; |x- a|&lt; \delta, then |f(x)- L|&lt; \epsilon."


If you don't know the definition of "limit" you can't prove anything about them! So, if you did not learn that definition, what definition did you learn?
 
  • #10
another question please , when I want to prove statements like that

\lim_{x \to a} f(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} f(a+h)

MUST I prove the two following statements or one of them is enough

1 - Assume that \lim_{x \to a} f(x) = L , and peove that given ε > 0 , there exists δ > 0 such that ,

if 0 &lt; |h| &lt; \delta then |f(a+h) - L | &lt; \epsilon

2- Assume that \lim_{h \to 0} f(a+h) = L , and prove that given ε > 0 , there exists δ > 0 such that ,

if 0 &lt; |x-a| &lt; \delta then |f(x) - L | &lt; \epsilon

the roof of these statements is easy .

I see it is important to prove the two statements , But I want to be sure , so please help me , if one of them is enough tell me .
 
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  • #11
Assuming the theorem actually says "If either of these limits exists, then the other also exists and they are equal" you need to prove both of the statements. If, on the other hand, you were given that a specific one exists, you would only need to prove one, depending upon which was given to exist. Of course, if you are not given that either exists, the statement may not be true.
 
  • #12
Well, we just learned that the

lim x -> a

notation simply means that the x value is approaching a, but it isn't a. So it is the value right next to a.

I guess it's just a practical and less formal way of saying the same thing, although simply saying that x minus a is greater than zero but less than some random symbol doesn't seem to prove of anything (at least to me)
For example:

"Given ϵ>0, there exist
δ>0 such that if
0<|x−a|<δ, then
|f(x)−L|<ϵ."

Okay, so δ can equal 9999 and ϵ can equal 42?

That would mean that there are over 9000! values for the lim x -> a.


The problem is that something is being implied about δ and ϵ that isn't stated in the proof, making it null for anyone who doesn't know that the

limit of δ and ϵ is zero (which is what I'm implying)

which is silly since this proof of the limit requires using a limit, which you would then have to proof, which then...!
 
  • #13
RandomMystery said:
Well, we just learned that the

lim x -> a

notation simply means that the x value is approaching a, but it isn't a. So it is the value right next to a.

I guess it's just a practical and less formal way of saying the same thing, although simply saying that x minus a is greater than zero but less than some random symbol doesn't seem to prove of anything (at least to me)
For example:

"Given ϵ>0, there exist
δ>0 such that if
0<|x−a|<δ, then
|f(x)−L|<ϵ."

Okay, so δ can equal 9999 and ϵ can equal 42?

That would mean that there are over 9000! values for the lim x -> a.The problem is that something is being implied about δ and ϵ that isn't stated in the proof, making it null for anyone who doesn't know that the

limit of δ and ϵ is zero (which is what I'm implying)

which is silly since this proof of the limit requires using a limit, which you would then have to proof, which then...!

I can't understand what you want to say . This definition you use that is that we can make f(x) close to L by making x sufficiently close to a , is not a formal definition , it is used only in textbooks when it introduce you to the idea of limits , although you can think limits in this way , but you can't depend it in proving theorems , try to use it to prove that

\lim_{x \to a} f(x)g(x) = \lim_{x \to a} f(x) \lim_{x \to a} g(x)
assuming \lim_{x \to a} f(x) and \lim_{x \to a} g(x) exists .

note that we have a problem with your definition that is we don't know how close we must be to a such that f(x) is close to L . here the formal definition
HallsofIvy said:
The definition of "\lim_{x\to a} f(x)= L" is

"Given \epsilon&gt; 0, there exist \delta&gt; 0 such that if 0&lt; |x- a|&lt; \delta, then |f(x)- L|&lt; \epsilon."

the definition can be interpreted i many ways I will leave the geometric interpretions now

it says that if we choose any ε no matter how ε is small , , we can find δ such that if the distance between x and and a is less than δ the distance the distance between f(x) and L is less than ε .

Try to interpret it using interval notation , using this definition you can prove the known limit laws . I will make an example , but not know because I am busy .
 
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  • #14
In the attachments I wrote to you interpretions for the definition , in addition to the proof of uniqueness the value f(x) approaches as x approaches .
 

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