Uniform convegence and continuity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between uniform convergence of functions and their continuity on an interval. Participants explore whether uniform convergence implies continuity and examine specific examples to illustrate their points.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether uniform convergence of a function on an interval implies that the function is continuous on that interval.
  • Another participant argues that it does not make sense to speak of the convergence of a function, suggesting a potential misunderstanding of the concept.
  • A specific example is presented involving the series f(x) = Σ n cos(nx) e^{-n^2 x}, with a query about its continuity if it converges uniformly on [a, ∞).
  • One participant references a theorem stating that if a sequence of continuous functions converges uniformly to a function, then that limit function must be continuous, but questions whether this theorem applies in reverse.
  • Another participant provides examples illustrating that uniform convergence does not guarantee continuity of the functions in the sequence, such as the case of the indicator function of the rationals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of uniform convergence for continuity, with no consensus reached on whether uniform convergence necessarily implies continuity.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight that the continuity of the sequence of functions is crucial for making any claims about the continuity of the limit function. Specific examples demonstrate that uniform convergence can occur without continuity in the individual functions.

zeebo17
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If we know that some function f(x) converges uniformly on some interval does that imply that it is also continuous on the interval?
 
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it does not make sense to speak of the convergence of a function.
 
Sorry, say we have a series f(x)= \Sigma n \cos(nx) e^{-n^2 x} and know that is converges uniformly on some interval [a, \infty) could we then conclude that it was continuous for all x in [a, \infty) ?

I know there is a theorem that says that in order for there to be uniform convergence, f(x) and f (where f(x) \rightarrow f) must be continuous. But does the theorem work the other way?

If not, how would I find for which x f(x) is continuous?
 
If you have a sequence of functions which are continuous and converge uniformly to a function, then that function must be continuous. In your example they are referring to the partial sums as the sequence of functions that are converging uniformly.

Without speaking of the continuity of the sequence of functions nothing about continuity can be said, for example if fn(x) = (1-1/n)*X(x) where X is the indicator function of the rationals between 0 and 1, fn converges uniformly to the indicator function of the rationals between 0 and 1 but obviously none of these functions are continuous. As another example if fn(x) = X(x)/n then fn converges uniformly to 0 which is continuous, but none of the fns are continuous themselves
 

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