Why a continuous but not uniformly continuous function $f$ in $mathbb{R}^n$ becomes uniformly continuous when...












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I've seen the proof of the title and roughly follow every steps of the proof. But I cannot see the intuition of this statement. Could someone show me a concrete example using $delta-epsilon$? Thanks!










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    $begingroup$


    I've seen the proof of the title and roughly follow every steps of the proof. But I cannot see the intuition of this statement. Could someone show me a concrete example using $delta-epsilon$? Thanks!










    share|cite|improve this question









    $endgroup$















      4












      4








      4





      $begingroup$


      I've seen the proof of the title and roughly follow every steps of the proof. But I cannot see the intuition of this statement. Could someone show me a concrete example using $delta-epsilon$? Thanks!










      share|cite|improve this question









      $endgroup$




      I've seen the proof of the title and roughly follow every steps of the proof. But I cannot see the intuition of this statement. Could someone show me a concrete example using $delta-epsilon$? Thanks!







      real-analysis






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      asked Dec 20 '18 at 4:43









      Cathy Cathy

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          $begingroup$

          Let me give you some examples that may help to form the intuition about compact sets. Although these examples will be functions on $Bbb R$, the idea for $Bbb R^n$ is not that different.



          By the Heine-Borel theorem, compact sets in $Bbb R^n$ are precisely those that are closed and bounded. Let's see what happens when these $2$ conditions are not satisfied.



          Closed: Strong oscillation is one reason that prevents a continuous function from being uniformly continuous. Consider the continuous function $f:(0,1]toBbb R$ defined by
          $$
          f(x)=sinleft(frac 1x right).
          $$

          This function is not uniformly continuous because the oscillation becomes infinitely strong near $x=0$. This happens because $x=0$ is on the boundary of $(0,1]$ but $f(0)$ need not be defined, hence the behaviour of $f$ can be very wild near the boundary points. On the other hand, if our domain is compact, says $D=[0,1]$ then $f(0)$ must be defined so the oscillation near $x=0$, if there is any, must "dies out" fast enough so that $lim_{yto 0}f(y)=f(0)$.



          Bounded: Steepness is another reason that a function can fail to be uniformly continuous. Consider $f:[0,infty)to Bbb R$ befined by
          $$
          f(x)=x^2.
          $$

          Suppose that $a<b$. By the mean value theorem, we have $|f(a)-f(b)|=|f'(xi)||a-b|$ for some $xiin(a,b)$. We know that $f'(x)=2x$ and that our domain is not bounded, thus $f'(xi)$ is unbounded too. This implies that $f$ is not uniformly continuous. If, however, our domain is bounded, says $D=[0,M]$, then $f'(x)$ is bounded and our function must be uniformly continuous.



          In general, $f$ need not be differentiable so the above reasoning doesn't apply literally. Still, I hope that gives some intuition that might help. The situation is also related to the extreme value theorem, i.e. that a continuous function cannot be unbounded on a compact set.






          share|cite|improve this answer









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            1












            $begingroup$

            A concrete example can be as follows. Take e.g. $f(x) = x^2$. That is a continuous function on $mathbb{R}$, but it is not uniformly continuous because $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2|$ cannot be kept smaller that a given $varepsilon>0$ for every $x,y$ whose difference $|y-x|$ is less that a given $delta_{varepsilon}$ depending only on $varepsilon$ but not on $x,y$. In other words, there is no $delta_{varepsilon}>0$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2| < delta_{varepsilon}$, because $|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y|$, and it does not matter how small $|x-y|$ is, the other factor $|x+y|$ can be made large enough (by picking $x,y$ large) so that $|y^2 - x^2| geq delta_{varepsilon}$. However, a compact set of $mathbb{R}$ such as the interval $[0,1]$ is bounded, and that makes the factor $|x+y|$ also bounded, more specifically $|x+y| leq 2$ on $[0,1]$. So now we can find a $delta_{epsilon} = frac{varepsilon}{2}$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies
            $$|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y| < 2 delta_{varepsilon} = 2 cdot frac{varepsilon}{2} = varepsilon$$



            Edit: By the time I finished writing my answer I found that BigbearZzz had already posted a more complete answer. I'll post mine anyway as a simpler version, and using $varepsilon-delta$ as requested by the OP.






            share|cite|improve this answer









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              0












              $begingroup$

              If for say $epsilon=1$ there's no $delta$ that works in the entire compact set, then let $x_n$ be such that $delta=1/n$ doesn't work. Then an accumulation point of the $x_n$ is a point where $f$ is not continuous at all.






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$





















                0












                $begingroup$

                Consider $f(x)=frac{1}{x}$ which is continuous on $(0,infty)$ but not uniformly so.



                Why can't we find one $deltagt 0$ that works for all $xin (0,infty)$? As $x$ gets closer to $0$, $ f$ gets steeper so that small changes in $x$ lead to larger changes in $f$.



                Suppose we are given $epsilongt 0$ and $ain(0,infty)$. We want to find $deltagt 0$ such that $|x-a|ltdeltaimplies|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.



                $$|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilonimplies -epsilonltfrac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}ltepsilonimplies -frac{1}{a}-epsilonlt -frac{1}{x}ltepsilon-frac{1}{a}impliesfrac{1}{a}+epsilongtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1}{a}-epsilon$$



                The right hand side is equivalent to $frac{1+aepsilon}{a}gtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1-aepsilon}{a}$.



                If $epsilon$ is large enough that $1-aepsilonlt 0$, we can restrict $epsilon$ to be smaller so that $1-aepsilongt 0$. We can do this because if the absolute value is less than the smaller $epsilon$ then it must also be less than the larger $epsilon$.



                Restricting $epsilon$ and taking reciprocals gives us $frac{a}{1+aepsilon}lt xltfrac{a}{1-aepsilon}$.



                For small $epsilon$, $ frac{a}{1+aepsilon}$ is a number slightly smaller than $a$ and $frac{a}{1-aepsilon}$ is a number slightly larger than $a$. Therefore, as $a$ gets closer to $0$, we require a smaller $delta$ to make $|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.






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                  4 Answers
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                  $begingroup$

                  Let me give you some examples that may help to form the intuition about compact sets. Although these examples will be functions on $Bbb R$, the idea for $Bbb R^n$ is not that different.



                  By the Heine-Borel theorem, compact sets in $Bbb R^n$ are precisely those that are closed and bounded. Let's see what happens when these $2$ conditions are not satisfied.



                  Closed: Strong oscillation is one reason that prevents a continuous function from being uniformly continuous. Consider the continuous function $f:(0,1]toBbb R$ defined by
                  $$
                  f(x)=sinleft(frac 1x right).
                  $$

                  This function is not uniformly continuous because the oscillation becomes infinitely strong near $x=0$. This happens because $x=0$ is on the boundary of $(0,1]$ but $f(0)$ need not be defined, hence the behaviour of $f$ can be very wild near the boundary points. On the other hand, if our domain is compact, says $D=[0,1]$ then $f(0)$ must be defined so the oscillation near $x=0$, if there is any, must "dies out" fast enough so that $lim_{yto 0}f(y)=f(0)$.



                  Bounded: Steepness is another reason that a function can fail to be uniformly continuous. Consider $f:[0,infty)to Bbb R$ befined by
                  $$
                  f(x)=x^2.
                  $$

                  Suppose that $a<b$. By the mean value theorem, we have $|f(a)-f(b)|=|f'(xi)||a-b|$ for some $xiin(a,b)$. We know that $f'(x)=2x$ and that our domain is not bounded, thus $f'(xi)$ is unbounded too. This implies that $f$ is not uniformly continuous. If, however, our domain is bounded, says $D=[0,M]$, then $f'(x)$ is bounded and our function must be uniformly continuous.



                  In general, $f$ need not be differentiable so the above reasoning doesn't apply literally. Still, I hope that gives some intuition that might help. The situation is also related to the extreme value theorem, i.e. that a continuous function cannot be unbounded on a compact set.






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$


















                    1












                    $begingroup$

                    Let me give you some examples that may help to form the intuition about compact sets. Although these examples will be functions on $Bbb R$, the idea for $Bbb R^n$ is not that different.



                    By the Heine-Borel theorem, compact sets in $Bbb R^n$ are precisely those that are closed and bounded. Let's see what happens when these $2$ conditions are not satisfied.



                    Closed: Strong oscillation is one reason that prevents a continuous function from being uniformly continuous. Consider the continuous function $f:(0,1]toBbb R$ defined by
                    $$
                    f(x)=sinleft(frac 1x right).
                    $$

                    This function is not uniformly continuous because the oscillation becomes infinitely strong near $x=0$. This happens because $x=0$ is on the boundary of $(0,1]$ but $f(0)$ need not be defined, hence the behaviour of $f$ can be very wild near the boundary points. On the other hand, if our domain is compact, says $D=[0,1]$ then $f(0)$ must be defined so the oscillation near $x=0$, if there is any, must "dies out" fast enough so that $lim_{yto 0}f(y)=f(0)$.



                    Bounded: Steepness is another reason that a function can fail to be uniformly continuous. Consider $f:[0,infty)to Bbb R$ befined by
                    $$
                    f(x)=x^2.
                    $$

                    Suppose that $a<b$. By the mean value theorem, we have $|f(a)-f(b)|=|f'(xi)||a-b|$ for some $xiin(a,b)$. We know that $f'(x)=2x$ and that our domain is not bounded, thus $f'(xi)$ is unbounded too. This implies that $f$ is not uniformly continuous. If, however, our domain is bounded, says $D=[0,M]$, then $f'(x)$ is bounded and our function must be uniformly continuous.



                    In general, $f$ need not be differentiable so the above reasoning doesn't apply literally. Still, I hope that gives some intuition that might help. The situation is also related to the extreme value theorem, i.e. that a continuous function cannot be unbounded on a compact set.






                    share|cite|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$
















                      1












                      1








                      1





                      $begingroup$

                      Let me give you some examples that may help to form the intuition about compact sets. Although these examples will be functions on $Bbb R$, the idea for $Bbb R^n$ is not that different.



                      By the Heine-Borel theorem, compact sets in $Bbb R^n$ are precisely those that are closed and bounded. Let's see what happens when these $2$ conditions are not satisfied.



                      Closed: Strong oscillation is one reason that prevents a continuous function from being uniformly continuous. Consider the continuous function $f:(0,1]toBbb R$ defined by
                      $$
                      f(x)=sinleft(frac 1x right).
                      $$

                      This function is not uniformly continuous because the oscillation becomes infinitely strong near $x=0$. This happens because $x=0$ is on the boundary of $(0,1]$ but $f(0)$ need not be defined, hence the behaviour of $f$ can be very wild near the boundary points. On the other hand, if our domain is compact, says $D=[0,1]$ then $f(0)$ must be defined so the oscillation near $x=0$, if there is any, must "dies out" fast enough so that $lim_{yto 0}f(y)=f(0)$.



                      Bounded: Steepness is another reason that a function can fail to be uniformly continuous. Consider $f:[0,infty)to Bbb R$ befined by
                      $$
                      f(x)=x^2.
                      $$

                      Suppose that $a<b$. By the mean value theorem, we have $|f(a)-f(b)|=|f'(xi)||a-b|$ for some $xiin(a,b)$. We know that $f'(x)=2x$ and that our domain is not bounded, thus $f'(xi)$ is unbounded too. This implies that $f$ is not uniformly continuous. If, however, our domain is bounded, says $D=[0,M]$, then $f'(x)$ is bounded and our function must be uniformly continuous.



                      In general, $f$ need not be differentiable so the above reasoning doesn't apply literally. Still, I hope that gives some intuition that might help. The situation is also related to the extreme value theorem, i.e. that a continuous function cannot be unbounded on a compact set.






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$



                      Let me give you some examples that may help to form the intuition about compact sets. Although these examples will be functions on $Bbb R$, the idea for $Bbb R^n$ is not that different.



                      By the Heine-Borel theorem, compact sets in $Bbb R^n$ are precisely those that are closed and bounded. Let's see what happens when these $2$ conditions are not satisfied.



                      Closed: Strong oscillation is one reason that prevents a continuous function from being uniformly continuous. Consider the continuous function $f:(0,1]toBbb R$ defined by
                      $$
                      f(x)=sinleft(frac 1x right).
                      $$

                      This function is not uniformly continuous because the oscillation becomes infinitely strong near $x=0$. This happens because $x=0$ is on the boundary of $(0,1]$ but $f(0)$ need not be defined, hence the behaviour of $f$ can be very wild near the boundary points. On the other hand, if our domain is compact, says $D=[0,1]$ then $f(0)$ must be defined so the oscillation near $x=0$, if there is any, must "dies out" fast enough so that $lim_{yto 0}f(y)=f(0)$.



                      Bounded: Steepness is another reason that a function can fail to be uniformly continuous. Consider $f:[0,infty)to Bbb R$ befined by
                      $$
                      f(x)=x^2.
                      $$

                      Suppose that $a<b$. By the mean value theorem, we have $|f(a)-f(b)|=|f'(xi)||a-b|$ for some $xiin(a,b)$. We know that $f'(x)=2x$ and that our domain is not bounded, thus $f'(xi)$ is unbounded too. This implies that $f$ is not uniformly continuous. If, however, our domain is bounded, says $D=[0,M]$, then $f'(x)$ is bounded and our function must be uniformly continuous.



                      In general, $f$ need not be differentiable so the above reasoning doesn't apply literally. Still, I hope that gives some intuition that might help. The situation is also related to the extreme value theorem, i.e. that a continuous function cannot be unbounded on a compact set.







                      share|cite|improve this answer












                      share|cite|improve this answer



                      share|cite|improve this answer










                      answered Dec 20 '18 at 5:15









                      BigbearZzzBigbearZzz

                      9,01021652




                      9,01021652























                          1












                          $begingroup$

                          A concrete example can be as follows. Take e.g. $f(x) = x^2$. That is a continuous function on $mathbb{R}$, but it is not uniformly continuous because $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2|$ cannot be kept smaller that a given $varepsilon>0$ for every $x,y$ whose difference $|y-x|$ is less that a given $delta_{varepsilon}$ depending only on $varepsilon$ but not on $x,y$. In other words, there is no $delta_{varepsilon}>0$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2| < delta_{varepsilon}$, because $|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y|$, and it does not matter how small $|x-y|$ is, the other factor $|x+y|$ can be made large enough (by picking $x,y$ large) so that $|y^2 - x^2| geq delta_{varepsilon}$. However, a compact set of $mathbb{R}$ such as the interval $[0,1]$ is bounded, and that makes the factor $|x+y|$ also bounded, more specifically $|x+y| leq 2$ on $[0,1]$. So now we can find a $delta_{epsilon} = frac{varepsilon}{2}$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies
                          $$|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y| < 2 delta_{varepsilon} = 2 cdot frac{varepsilon}{2} = varepsilon$$



                          Edit: By the time I finished writing my answer I found that BigbearZzz had already posted a more complete answer. I'll post mine anyway as a simpler version, and using $varepsilon-delta$ as requested by the OP.






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$


















                            1












                            $begingroup$

                            A concrete example can be as follows. Take e.g. $f(x) = x^2$. That is a continuous function on $mathbb{R}$, but it is not uniformly continuous because $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2|$ cannot be kept smaller that a given $varepsilon>0$ for every $x,y$ whose difference $|y-x|$ is less that a given $delta_{varepsilon}$ depending only on $varepsilon$ but not on $x,y$. In other words, there is no $delta_{varepsilon}>0$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2| < delta_{varepsilon}$, because $|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y|$, and it does not matter how small $|x-y|$ is, the other factor $|x+y|$ can be made large enough (by picking $x,y$ large) so that $|y^2 - x^2| geq delta_{varepsilon}$. However, a compact set of $mathbb{R}$ such as the interval $[0,1]$ is bounded, and that makes the factor $|x+y|$ also bounded, more specifically $|x+y| leq 2$ on $[0,1]$. So now we can find a $delta_{epsilon} = frac{varepsilon}{2}$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies
                            $$|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y| < 2 delta_{varepsilon} = 2 cdot frac{varepsilon}{2} = varepsilon$$



                            Edit: By the time I finished writing my answer I found that BigbearZzz had already posted a more complete answer. I'll post mine anyway as a simpler version, and using $varepsilon-delta$ as requested by the OP.






                            share|cite|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$
















                              1












                              1








                              1





                              $begingroup$

                              A concrete example can be as follows. Take e.g. $f(x) = x^2$. That is a continuous function on $mathbb{R}$, but it is not uniformly continuous because $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2|$ cannot be kept smaller that a given $varepsilon>0$ for every $x,y$ whose difference $|y-x|$ is less that a given $delta_{varepsilon}$ depending only on $varepsilon$ but not on $x,y$. In other words, there is no $delta_{varepsilon}>0$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2| < delta_{varepsilon}$, because $|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y|$, and it does not matter how small $|x-y|$ is, the other factor $|x+y|$ can be made large enough (by picking $x,y$ large) so that $|y^2 - x^2| geq delta_{varepsilon}$. However, a compact set of $mathbb{R}$ such as the interval $[0,1]$ is bounded, and that makes the factor $|x+y|$ also bounded, more specifically $|x+y| leq 2$ on $[0,1]$. So now we can find a $delta_{epsilon} = frac{varepsilon}{2}$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies
                              $$|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y| < 2 delta_{varepsilon} = 2 cdot frac{varepsilon}{2} = varepsilon$$



                              Edit: By the time I finished writing my answer I found that BigbearZzz had already posted a more complete answer. I'll post mine anyway as a simpler version, and using $varepsilon-delta$ as requested by the OP.






                              share|cite|improve this answer









                              $endgroup$



                              A concrete example can be as follows. Take e.g. $f(x) = x^2$. That is a continuous function on $mathbb{R}$, but it is not uniformly continuous because $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2|$ cannot be kept smaller that a given $varepsilon>0$ for every $x,y$ whose difference $|y-x|$ is less that a given $delta_{varepsilon}$ depending only on $varepsilon$ but not on $x,y$. In other words, there is no $delta_{varepsilon}>0$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies $|f(y) - f(x)| = |y^2 - x^2| < delta_{varepsilon}$, because $|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y|$, and it does not matter how small $|x-y|$ is, the other factor $|x+y|$ can be made large enough (by picking $x,y$ large) so that $|y^2 - x^2| geq delta_{varepsilon}$. However, a compact set of $mathbb{R}$ such as the interval $[0,1]$ is bounded, and that makes the factor $|x+y|$ also bounded, more specifically $|x+y| leq 2$ on $[0,1]$. So now we can find a $delta_{epsilon} = frac{varepsilon}{2}$ such that $|y-x| < delta_{varepsilon}$ implies
                              $$|y^2 - x^2| = |x+y||x-y| < 2 delta_{varepsilon} = 2 cdot frac{varepsilon}{2} = varepsilon$$



                              Edit: By the time I finished writing my answer I found that BigbearZzz had already posted a more complete answer. I'll post mine anyway as a simpler version, and using $varepsilon-delta$ as requested by the OP.







                              share|cite|improve this answer












                              share|cite|improve this answer



                              share|cite|improve this answer










                              answered Dec 20 '18 at 5:34









                              mlerma54mlerma54

                              1,167148




                              1,167148























                                  0












                                  $begingroup$

                                  If for say $epsilon=1$ there's no $delta$ that works in the entire compact set, then let $x_n$ be such that $delta=1/n$ doesn't work. Then an accumulation point of the $x_n$ is a point where $f$ is not continuous at all.






                                  share|cite|improve this answer









                                  $endgroup$


















                                    0












                                    $begingroup$

                                    If for say $epsilon=1$ there's no $delta$ that works in the entire compact set, then let $x_n$ be such that $delta=1/n$ doesn't work. Then an accumulation point of the $x_n$ is a point where $f$ is not continuous at all.






                                    share|cite|improve this answer









                                    $endgroup$
















                                      0












                                      0








                                      0





                                      $begingroup$

                                      If for say $epsilon=1$ there's no $delta$ that works in the entire compact set, then let $x_n$ be such that $delta=1/n$ doesn't work. Then an accumulation point of the $x_n$ is a point where $f$ is not continuous at all.






                                      share|cite|improve this answer









                                      $endgroup$



                                      If for say $epsilon=1$ there's no $delta$ that works in the entire compact set, then let $x_n$ be such that $delta=1/n$ doesn't work. Then an accumulation point of the $x_n$ is a point where $f$ is not continuous at all.







                                      share|cite|improve this answer












                                      share|cite|improve this answer



                                      share|cite|improve this answer










                                      answered Dec 20 '18 at 5:04









                                      Bjørn Kjos-HanssenBjørn Kjos-Hanssen

                                      2,107918




                                      2,107918























                                          0












                                          $begingroup$

                                          Consider $f(x)=frac{1}{x}$ which is continuous on $(0,infty)$ but not uniformly so.



                                          Why can't we find one $deltagt 0$ that works for all $xin (0,infty)$? As $x$ gets closer to $0$, $ f$ gets steeper so that small changes in $x$ lead to larger changes in $f$.



                                          Suppose we are given $epsilongt 0$ and $ain(0,infty)$. We want to find $deltagt 0$ such that $|x-a|ltdeltaimplies|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.



                                          $$|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilonimplies -epsilonltfrac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}ltepsilonimplies -frac{1}{a}-epsilonlt -frac{1}{x}ltepsilon-frac{1}{a}impliesfrac{1}{a}+epsilongtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1}{a}-epsilon$$



                                          The right hand side is equivalent to $frac{1+aepsilon}{a}gtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1-aepsilon}{a}$.



                                          If $epsilon$ is large enough that $1-aepsilonlt 0$, we can restrict $epsilon$ to be smaller so that $1-aepsilongt 0$. We can do this because if the absolute value is less than the smaller $epsilon$ then it must also be less than the larger $epsilon$.



                                          Restricting $epsilon$ and taking reciprocals gives us $frac{a}{1+aepsilon}lt xltfrac{a}{1-aepsilon}$.



                                          For small $epsilon$, $ frac{a}{1+aepsilon}$ is a number slightly smaller than $a$ and $frac{a}{1-aepsilon}$ is a number slightly larger than $a$. Therefore, as $a$ gets closer to $0$, we require a smaller $delta$ to make $|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.






                                          share|cite|improve this answer









                                          $endgroup$


















                                            0












                                            $begingroup$

                                            Consider $f(x)=frac{1}{x}$ which is continuous on $(0,infty)$ but not uniformly so.



                                            Why can't we find one $deltagt 0$ that works for all $xin (0,infty)$? As $x$ gets closer to $0$, $ f$ gets steeper so that small changes in $x$ lead to larger changes in $f$.



                                            Suppose we are given $epsilongt 0$ and $ain(0,infty)$. We want to find $deltagt 0$ such that $|x-a|ltdeltaimplies|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.



                                            $$|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilonimplies -epsilonltfrac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}ltepsilonimplies -frac{1}{a}-epsilonlt -frac{1}{x}ltepsilon-frac{1}{a}impliesfrac{1}{a}+epsilongtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1}{a}-epsilon$$



                                            The right hand side is equivalent to $frac{1+aepsilon}{a}gtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1-aepsilon}{a}$.



                                            If $epsilon$ is large enough that $1-aepsilonlt 0$, we can restrict $epsilon$ to be smaller so that $1-aepsilongt 0$. We can do this because if the absolute value is less than the smaller $epsilon$ then it must also be less than the larger $epsilon$.



                                            Restricting $epsilon$ and taking reciprocals gives us $frac{a}{1+aepsilon}lt xltfrac{a}{1-aepsilon}$.



                                            For small $epsilon$, $ frac{a}{1+aepsilon}$ is a number slightly smaller than $a$ and $frac{a}{1-aepsilon}$ is a number slightly larger than $a$. Therefore, as $a$ gets closer to $0$, we require a smaller $delta$ to make $|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.






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                                            $endgroup$
















                                              0












                                              0








                                              0





                                              $begingroup$

                                              Consider $f(x)=frac{1}{x}$ which is continuous on $(0,infty)$ but not uniformly so.



                                              Why can't we find one $deltagt 0$ that works for all $xin (0,infty)$? As $x$ gets closer to $0$, $ f$ gets steeper so that small changes in $x$ lead to larger changes in $f$.



                                              Suppose we are given $epsilongt 0$ and $ain(0,infty)$. We want to find $deltagt 0$ such that $|x-a|ltdeltaimplies|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.



                                              $$|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilonimplies -epsilonltfrac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}ltepsilonimplies -frac{1}{a}-epsilonlt -frac{1}{x}ltepsilon-frac{1}{a}impliesfrac{1}{a}+epsilongtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1}{a}-epsilon$$



                                              The right hand side is equivalent to $frac{1+aepsilon}{a}gtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1-aepsilon}{a}$.



                                              If $epsilon$ is large enough that $1-aepsilonlt 0$, we can restrict $epsilon$ to be smaller so that $1-aepsilongt 0$. We can do this because if the absolute value is less than the smaller $epsilon$ then it must also be less than the larger $epsilon$.



                                              Restricting $epsilon$ and taking reciprocals gives us $frac{a}{1+aepsilon}lt xltfrac{a}{1-aepsilon}$.



                                              For small $epsilon$, $ frac{a}{1+aepsilon}$ is a number slightly smaller than $a$ and $frac{a}{1-aepsilon}$ is a number slightly larger than $a$. Therefore, as $a$ gets closer to $0$, we require a smaller $delta$ to make $|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.






                                              share|cite|improve this answer









                                              $endgroup$



                                              Consider $f(x)=frac{1}{x}$ which is continuous on $(0,infty)$ but not uniformly so.



                                              Why can't we find one $deltagt 0$ that works for all $xin (0,infty)$? As $x$ gets closer to $0$, $ f$ gets steeper so that small changes in $x$ lead to larger changes in $f$.



                                              Suppose we are given $epsilongt 0$ and $ain(0,infty)$. We want to find $deltagt 0$ such that $|x-a|ltdeltaimplies|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.



                                              $$|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilonimplies -epsilonltfrac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}ltepsilonimplies -frac{1}{a}-epsilonlt -frac{1}{x}ltepsilon-frac{1}{a}impliesfrac{1}{a}+epsilongtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1}{a}-epsilon$$



                                              The right hand side is equivalent to $frac{1+aepsilon}{a}gtfrac{1}{x}gtfrac{1-aepsilon}{a}$.



                                              If $epsilon$ is large enough that $1-aepsilonlt 0$, we can restrict $epsilon$ to be smaller so that $1-aepsilongt 0$. We can do this because if the absolute value is less than the smaller $epsilon$ then it must also be less than the larger $epsilon$.



                                              Restricting $epsilon$ and taking reciprocals gives us $frac{a}{1+aepsilon}lt xltfrac{a}{1-aepsilon}$.



                                              For small $epsilon$, $ frac{a}{1+aepsilon}$ is a number slightly smaller than $a$ and $frac{a}{1-aepsilon}$ is a number slightly larger than $a$. Therefore, as $a$ gets closer to $0$, we require a smaller $delta$ to make $|frac{1}{a}-frac{1}{x}|ltepsilon$.







                                              share|cite|improve this answer












                                              share|cite|improve this answer



                                              share|cite|improve this answer










                                              answered Dec 20 '18 at 5:38









                                              John DoumaJohn Douma

                                              5,83521520




                                              5,83521520






























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