MHB Understanding the Proof of a Bounded Function in a Closed Interval

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A function f that is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] is guaranteed to be bounded due to the properties of compactness and uniform continuity. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem and the characteristics of closed bounded intervals. Participants clarify that a closed interval must be bounded to be compact and emphasize the need for foundational knowledge in real analysis. The original poster expresses initial confusion but later acknowledges their understanding of the proof. The conversation underscores the necessity of grasping key theorems to fully comprehend the proof of boundedness for continuous functions.
Petrus
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Hello MHB,
I have hard understanding a proof..
"show that if a function f is cotinuetet in $$[a,b]$$ Then f is limited."

pretty much I Dont get the poin, I got the proof in swedish but Dont understand what is happening.. Any advice or Link that explain this proof well?Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
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Re: Help understand a proof

Petrus said:
"show that if a function f is cotinuetet in $$[a,b]$$ Then f is limited."

The correct statement is, if a function $$f$$ is continuous on a closed interval then it is bounded there.

The proof really depends upon what you know.
Do you know that a closed interval is compact?

Do you know that if a function $$f$$ is continuous on a closed interval then it is uniformly continuous there?

Tell us what you have to work with.
 
Re: Help understand a proof

Plato said:
Do you know that a closed interval is compact?

I think you mean closed bounded interval because $$[a,\infty)$$ is closed but not bounded hence not compact.

EDIT : I know a proof using the Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem if you took it.
 
Re: Help understand a proof

ZaidAlyafey said:
I think you mean closed bounded interval because $$[a,\infty)$$ is closed but not bounded hence not compact.
That depends upon how one uses the term interval. As I use it $$[a,\infty)$$ is not an interval.
I understand an interval as a bounded connect set.
 
Re: Help understand a proof

Thanks evryone for taking your time! Did take me a lot of time but I got it now!:)
Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: Help understand a proof

Petrus said:
Thanks evryone for taking your time! Did take me a lot of time but I got it now!:)
Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$

Can you sketch a proof ?
 
Re: Help understand a proof

ZaidAlyafey said:
Can you sketch a proof ?
Ehmm.. My proof is wrong.. I am back to square 0.. I Will post later the proof That i want to try understand (it's on swedish I Will need to translate)
Regards,
$$|\pi\rangle$$
 
Re: Help understand a proof

Petrus said:
Ehmm.. My proof is wrong.. I am back to square 0..

Look into your notes/text to see if you have done these theorems. If not try them.

1) Every sequence contains a monotone subsequence.
2) Every bounded monotone sequence has a limit point.

Now the interval $$[a,b]$$ is closed. The limit of any convergent sequence from the set is in the set.

Suppose that the function $$f$$ is not bounded above on $$[a,b]$$.

That means the exists a sequence of points from $$[a,b]$$ such that $$\forall N~[f(x_N)>N]$$.

Because of continuity if $$(y_n)\to L$$ then $$f(y_n)\to f(L)$$.

There is a lot left out of that. But does that help you?
 

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