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Sequence of Functions Counterexamples - Lecture Note - by SA 2021

This document provides counterexamples to show that: 1) A sequence of bounded functions can converge to an unbounded function. 2) A sequence of continuous functions can converge to a discontinuous function. 3) The limits of sequences of terms and the pointwise limit of functions may not exist. 4) The limits of sequences of terms and the pointwise limit, if they exist, may not be equal. 5) A sequence of integrable functions can converge to a non-integrable function. 6) The limit of integrals of functions in a sequence and the integral of the pointwise limit, if they exist, may not be equal.

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Fazal Karim
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66 views3 pages

Sequence of Functions Counterexamples - Lecture Note - by SA 2021

This document provides counterexamples to show that: 1) A sequence of bounded functions can converge to an unbounded function. 2) A sequence of continuous functions can converge to a discontinuous function. 3) The limits of sequences of terms and the pointwise limit of functions may not exist. 4) The limits of sequences of terms and the pointwise limit, if they exist, may not be equal. 5) A sequence of integrable functions can converge to a non-integrable function. 6) The limit of integrals of functions in a sequence and the integral of the pointwise limit, if they exist, may not be equal.

Uploaded by

Fazal Karim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Study Material

Counterexamples in Sequence of Functions

Sugata Adhya

Sequence of Functions − Counterexamples

Fact 0.1. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on D (D being a

subset of R). If each fn is bounded on D, then f may not be bounded on D.

Counterexample. Let fn : (0, 1) → R : x 7→ 1 + x + · · · + xn , ∀ n ∈ N. Clearly each fn is

bounded on (0, 1) since on (0, 1), |fn | ≤ n + 1, ∀ n ∈ N.


1
Now the pointwise limit function f : (0, 1) → R is given by f (x) = lim fn (x) = 1−x .
n→∞

Since lim = +∞, so f is not bounded on (0, 1).


x→1−

Fact 0.2. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on D (D being a

subset of R). If each fn is continuous on D, then f may not be continuous on D.

Counterexample. Let fn : [0, 1] → R : x 7→ xn , ∀ n ∈ N. Clearly each fn is continuous on

[0, 1]. 

0, if x 6= 1

Now the pointwise limit function f : [0, 1] → R is given by f (x) =

1,
 if x = 0

April 2021.
1
which is not bounded on [0, 1].

Fact 0.3. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on D (D being a

subset of R). Let x0 ∈ D0 and lim fn (x) = an , ∀ n ∈ N. Then lim an & lim f (x) may
x→x0 n→∞ x→x0

not exist.

Counterexample. Let fn : (0, 1) → R : x 7→ 1 + x + · · · + xn , ∀ n ∈ N.


1
Now the pointwise limit function f : (0, 1) → R is given by f (x) = lim fn (x) = 1−x .
n→∞

Then 0 is a limit point of (0, 1) and lim fn (x) = n + 1, ∀ n ∈ N.


x→1

However none of lim (n + 1) and lim f (x) exist.


n→∞ x→1

Fact 0.4. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on D (D being a

subset of R). Let x0 ∈ D0 and lim fn (x) = an , ∀ n ∈ N. Then lim an & lim f (x) if exist,
x→x0 n→∞ x→x0

may not be equal.

Counterexample. Let fn : [0, 1] → R : x 7→ xn , ∀ n ∈ N. Clearly each fn is continuous on

[0, 1]. 

0, if x 6= 1

The pointwise limit function f : [0, 1] → R is given by f (x) =

1,
 if x = 0
Now lim fn (x) = 1 → 1 as n → ∞ whereas lim f (x) = 0, which are unequal.
x→1 x→1

Fact 0.5. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on [a, b]. If each fn

is R-integrable on [a, b], then f may not be R-integrable on [a, b].




1 + x + · · · + xn , x 6= 1

Counterexample. Consider ∀ n ∈ N, fn : [0, 1] → R : x 7→ .

0,
 x=1
Clearly each fn ∈ R[a, b], being discontinuous only at a single point on [0,1].
1

, x 6= 1

 1−x
However the pointwise limit function f : [0, 1] → R is given by f (x) =

0,
 x=1
2
is unbounded on [0, 1] and hence f ∈
/ R[0, 1].

Fact 0.6. Let (fn ) be a sequence of functions converging pointwise to f on [a, b]. If each
Rb Rb
fn , f are R-integrable on [a, b], then lim fn and f, if exist, may not be equal.
n→∞ a a

Hint. Consider ∀ n ∈ N, fn : [0, 1] → R : x 7→ nx(1 − x2 )n .

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