Previous Year Questions: Real Analysis

(2008-23)
Set, Limit and Continuity

1. Let 𝑇 = ,𝑛 𝜖 𝑁 ⋃ 1 + ,𝑛 𝜖 𝑁 ⋃ 6 − , 𝑛 𝜖 𝑁 . Find derived set 𝑇′ of 𝑇. Also find supremum

of T and greatest number of T.

2. Prove that the sets 𝐴 = [0, 1] and 𝐵 = (0,1) are equivalent sets.
3. If 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 is continuous and 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑦) ∀ 𝑥, 𝑦 𝜖 𝑅. Then show that 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥𝑓(1)∀ 𝑥 𝜖 𝑅.
4. Show that 𝑓: [𝑎, 𝑏] → 𝑅 is a continuous function then 𝑓([𝑎, 𝑏]) = [𝑐, 𝑑] for some real numbers c
and d, 𝑐 ≤ 𝑑.
5. Show that a bounded infinite subset of R must have a limit point.
6. Show that every open subset of R is a countable union of disjoint open intervals.
7. Show that if a function 𝑓 defined on an open interval (𝑎, 𝑏) of R is convex, then f is
continuous. Show by example, if the condition of open interval is dropped, then the convex
function need not be continuous.

8. Find the supremum and the infimum of on the interval 0, .

9. Let 𝑓(𝑡) = ∫ [𝑥]𝑑𝑥, where [x] denotes the largest integer less than or equal to x.
i. Determine all the real numbers t at which f is differentiable.
ii. Determine all the real numbers t at which f is continuous but not differentiable.
10. Suppose R be the set of all real numbers and 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 is a function such that the following
equations hold for all 𝑥, 𝑦 𝜖 𝑅:
i. 𝑓(𝑥 + 𝑦) = 𝑓(𝑥) + 𝑓(𝑦)
ii. 𝑓(𝑥𝑦) = 𝑓(𝑥)𝑓(𝑦)
Show that ∀ 𝑥𝜖 𝑅 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓(𝑥) = 0, 𝑜𝑟 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥.
11. Find the minimum and maximum value of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 9𝑥 + 26𝑥 − 24 for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1.
12. Find the stationary values of 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 subject to the conditions 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 + 𝑐𝑧 = 1 and 𝑙𝑥 +
𝑚𝑦 + 𝑛𝑧 = 0. Interpret the result geometrically.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

13. Let 𝑓(𝑥) be differentiable on [0,1] such that 𝑓(1) = 𝑓(0) = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∫ 𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 1. Prove that

∫ 𝑥 𝑓(𝑥)𝑓 (𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = − .
14. Let 𝑓 be a continuous function on [0, 1]. Using first mean value theorem on integration, prove
( )
that lim ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑓(0).
→

15. Find the minimum and maximum values of + + , when + + = 1 and 𝑙𝑥 + 𝑚𝑦 +

𝑛𝑧 = 0. Interpret the result geometrically. (20, 2022)

Sequence and Series

. . .
1. Discuss the convergence of the series + .
𝑥 + . .
𝑥 + ⋯,𝑥 > 0

2. Show that the series ∑ ( )

is equivalent to ∏ 1+ .

. . ………( )
3. Show that the series + .
+ ⋯…+ . ……....( )
+ converges.

4. Discuss the convergence of the sequence {𝑥 } where 𝑥 = .

√
5. Define {𝑥 } 𝑏𝑦 𝑥 = 5 and 𝑥 = 4 + 𝑥 for 𝑛 > 1. Show that the sequence converges to .

6. Show that the series ∑ 𝑛 is convergent.

7. Test the convergence and absolute convergence of the series ∑ (−1) .

8. Two sequences {𝑥 } 𝑛𝑎𝑑 { 𝑦 } are defined inductively by the following: 𝑥 = , 𝑦 = 1, 𝑥 =

𝑥 𝑦 𝑛 = 2,3,4 … ; = + 𝑛 = 2,3 ….Prove that 𝑥 <𝑥 <𝑦 <𝑦 , 𝑛=

2,3, …. And deduce that both the sequences converge to the same limit l , where < 𝑙 < 1.

9. Show that the series ∑ (−1) . is conditionally convergent. (give proof of theorem used,

if you use any)

10. Let 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 20, 𝑛 = 1,2,3 …. Show that the sequence 𝑥 , 𝑥 , 𝑥 ….is convergent.
11. ∑ 𝑥 be conditionally convergent series of real numbers. Show that there is a
rearrangement ∑ 𝑥 ( ) of the series ∑ 𝑥 that converges to 100.

12. Find the range of of p>0 for which the series ( )

−( )
+( )
− ⋯ . . , 𝑎 > 0 is

i. absolutely convergent
ii. Conditionally convergent
13. Prove that the sequence (𝑎 ) satisfying the condition |𝑎 − 𝑎 | ≤ 𝛼|𝑎 − 𝑎 |, 0 < 𝛼 <
1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 natural number 𝑛 ≥ 2, is a Cauchy Sequence.

14. Test for convergence or divergence of the series 𝑥 + !

+ !
+ !
+ !
+ ⋯ … … (𝑥 > 0). (15,

2022)

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 . . …..( )
15. Test the convergence of the series ∑ . . …….
, 𝑥 > 0. (10, 2023)

Improper Integral

1. Test the convergence of ∫ 𝑑𝑥. (10, 2022)

2. Examine the convergence of ∫ .

3. Test the convergence of the improper integral ∫ ( )

.

Uniform Convergence

1. Consider the series ∑ ( )

. Find the values of x for which the series is convergent and also

the sum function. Is the convergence uniform? Justify the answer.

2. Let 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑜𝑛 − 1 < 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 1,2 … … find the limit function. Is the convergence uniform?
Justify your answer.
3. Show that if 𝑆(𝑥) = ∑ , then its derivative 𝑆 (𝑥) = −2𝑥 ∑ ( )
∀ 𝑥.

4. Let 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥(1 − 𝑥) , 𝑥 𝜖 [0,1]. Examine the uniform convergence of {𝑓 (𝑥)} on [0,1].
5. Show that the series for which the sum of first n terms 𝑓 (𝑥) = , 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 cannot be

differentiated term by term at 𝑥 = 0. What happens at 𝑥 ≠ 0?

( )
6. Show that the series ∑ , is uniformly convergent but not absolutely for all real values of

x.
7. Test the series of functions ∑ for uniform convergence.

8. Show that lim ∑ =∑ .Justify all steps of your answers by quoting the theorems
→

you are using.

9. Discuss the uniform convergence of 𝑓 (𝑥) = , ∀ 𝑥𝜖 𝑅

10. Test the uniform convergence of the series 𝑥 + +( )

+( )
+ ⋯ . 𝑜𝑛 [0,1].

𝑖𝑓 𝑥 <
0
11. Let 𝑓 (𝑥) = sin 𝑖𝑓 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ . Show that 𝑓 (𝑥) converges to a continuous function but
0 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 >

not uniformly.
12. Prove that the oscillation of a real valued function 𝑓 defined on [𝑎, 𝑏] is the supremum of the
set { |𝑓(𝑥 ) − 𝑓(𝑥 )|: 𝑥 , 𝑥 𝜖 [𝑎, 𝑏]}. (15, 2023)

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Reimann Integral

13. Give an example of a function 𝑓(𝑥), that is not Reimann integrable but |𝑓(𝑥)| is Reimann
integrable. Justify.

+ 4 ,𝑥 ≥ 0
14. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = . Is 𝑓 Riemann integrable in the interval [−1,2]? Why? Does there
− + 2, 𝑥 < 0

exist a function g such that 𝑔 (𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥)? Justify your answer.

15. Let [𝑥] denotes the integer of the real number x, i.e. if 𝑛 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑛 + 1 where n is an integer, then
[x]=n. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = [𝑥] + 3 Reimann integrable in [−1,2]? If not, explain why. If it is

integrable, compute ∫ ([𝑥] + 3) 𝑑𝑥.

, <𝑥≤
16. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = Reimann integrable? If yes, obtain the value of
0 , 𝑥=0
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥.
17. If a function is monotonic in the interval [𝑎, 𝑏], then prove that f is Reimann integrable in [a,b].
18. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 on [0, 𝑘], 𝑘 > 0. Show that f is Reimann integrable on the closed interval [0, 𝑘] and

∫ 𝑓 𝑑𝑥 = .(15, 2022)

Uniform Continuity

1. Prove that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 is not uniformly continuous on the interval [0, ∞).
2. Let 𝑓: 𝑅 → 𝑅 be a continuous function such that lim 𝑓(𝑥) and lim 𝑓(𝑥) exist and are finite.
→ →

Prove that 𝑓 is uniformly continuous on R.

3. Let 𝑆 = (0,1) and f be defined by 𝑓(𝑥) = where 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 1. Is f uniformly continuous on S?

Justify your answer.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Tutorial Sheet: Real Analysis- I

1. Prove that as 𝑓 → 0 ↔ |𝑓 | → 0. Hence or otherwise prove that lim = 0.

→

2. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 = 1 + + + ⋯…+ converges. Find lim 𝑓 .
→

3. Prove that lim !

=𝑒
→
( )( )…( )
4. Show that lim !
𝑥 = 0, 𝑖𝑓 |𝑥| < 1.
→

5. Show that the sequence < > is a Cauchy Sequence.

6. Show that the sequence < 𝑛 > is not a Cauchy Sequence.

7. Show that < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 = (−1) /𝑛, is a convergent sequence.
8. Using Cauchy’ s General principle of convergence, show that the sequence < 𝑓 > where 𝑓 =
1 + + + ⋯ … . . + is not convergent.

9. Using Cauchy’s criterion of convergence, examine the convergence of the sequence of the
sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 = 1 + !
+ !
+ ⋯ + !.

10. If < 𝑓 > is a sequence of positive numbers such that 𝑓 = (𝑓 +𝑓 ), 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑛 ≥ 3, then

show that < 𝑓 > converges to .

11. Prove that the sequence < 𝑎 > where 𝑎 = 1 + !

+ !
+ ⋯+ !
Is convergent and that 2 ≤

lim 𝑎 ≤ 3.
→

12. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 > defined by 𝑓 = 1 + is convergent and that lim 1 + lies
→

between 2 and 3.
13. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 > defined recursively by 𝑓 = √2, 𝑓 = 2𝑓 converges to 2.
14. A sequence < 𝑎 > is defined as 𝑎 = 1, 𝑎 = (4 + 3𝑎 )/(3 + 2𝑎 ), 𝑛 ≥ 1. Show that < 𝑎 > is
bounded, monotonic and convergent. Also find its limit.
15. A sequence < 𝑎 > is defined as 𝑎 = ,𝑎 =2− , ∀ 𝑛 ≥ 1. Show that < 𝑎 > is monotonic,

bounded and converges to 1.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Tutorial Sheet: Real Analysis-II

1. Show that the series + + ⋯……. ( )

+ ⋯ .. does not converge.

2. Show that the series ∑ cos(1/𝑛 ) is not convergent.

3. Show that the series ∑ does not converge.

4. Show that the series ∑ diverges.

5. Test for convergence of the series:

a. ∑
√ !

b. ∑ √𝑛 + 1 − √𝑛 − 1

c. ∑ (𝑛 + 1) − 𝑛
. . .
d. !
+ !
+ !
+ ⋯……

e. 1 + !
+ !
+⋯

f. 1 + + + + ⋯ for all positive values of x.

g. ∑
( )

h. − + − + − +⋯
. . . . . .
i. 𝑥+ + . .
+ . . . .
+⋯

j. 1+ !
+ !
+ !
+⋯

k. 𝑥 + 𝑥 +𝑥 +𝑥 +⋯
. . ……..( )
l. ∑
. ……..( )
𝑥 , 𝑥 > 0.

. . .
m. 1 + + .
+ . .
+⋯

6. Using integral test, show that the series ∑ ( )

is convergent if 𝑝 > 1 and divergent if 0 <

𝑝 ≤ 1.
( ) ( ) ( )
7. Examine the series for convergence + + +⋯

Alternating Series:

1. Show that the series converges ∑ (−1) .

2. Test for convergence and absolute convergence of the series:

( )
a. ∑

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 b. ∑
( ) ( )
3. ∑ cos 𝑛𝑥 , show that the series is convergent for all real values of x.

4. Test for convergence: log − log + log − log + ⋯

5. Show with the help of Cauchy’s principle that the series 1 − + − + ⋯

6. Show that 1 − .
+ .
− .
+ ⋯ is convergent.

7. Show that the series 1 − 1 + − + − + ⋯ is convergent and the following re-arrangement of

this series 1 + − 1 + + − + + − + ⋯converges to log 2.

8. Show that 1 − − + − − + − − + ⋯ = log 2

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Tutorial Sheet: Real Analysis- III

1. Show that the sequence (𝑓 ) of functions where 𝑓 (𝑥) = , is uniformly convergent in [0, k]

whatever k may be, but not uniformly convergent in [0, ∞].

2. Show that the sequence (𝑓 ) where 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 is uniformly convergent in [0, 𝑘] where k is a
number less than 1 and only pointwise convergent in [0,1].
3. Show that if 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥𝑒 , the sequence (𝑓 ) is pointwise, but not uniformly convergent in
[0, 𝑘[ , 𝑘 > 0.
4. Prove that the sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥/(1 + 𝑛𝑥 ) converges uniformly on any closed
intervals I.
5. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥(1 − 𝑥) is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1].
6. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 (𝑥) = (sin 𝑛𝑥)/√𝑛 is uniformly convergent on [0, 𝜋].
7. Show that the sequence < 𝑓 >, where 𝑓 (𝑥) = tan 𝑛𝑥 is not uniformly convergent on [0,1].
8. If < 𝑔 > 𝑎𝑛𝑑 < 𝑓 > are two sequences of functions defined for 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 by 𝑔 (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥/(1 +

𝑛 𝑥 ) and 𝑓 (𝑥) = . Prove that < 𝑔 > converges uniformly to zero on [0,1] and hence

obtain the uniform convergence of < 𝑓 >.

9. Show that the following series are uniformly convergent for real values of x:

a. ∑ ,𝑝 > 1
( )
b. ∑ ( )

10. Show that the series ∑ is uniformly convergent for all real x if 𝑝 + 𝑞 > 2.
( )
11. Show that the series ∑ is uniformly convergent for all values of x.

12. Prove that ∑ 𝑎 𝑛 is uniformly convergent on [0,1] if ∑ 𝑎 converges uniformly in [0,1].

13. Discuss the uniform convergence of

i. 𝑥 + +( )
+( )
+ ⋯ … … . . 𝑜𝑛 [0,1]

14. Test for uniform convergence and term by term integration of the series ∑ ( )
. Also

prove that ∫ ∑
( )
𝑑𝑥 = .

15. Show that the series for which 𝑆 (𝑥) = 𝑛𝑥(1 − 𝑥) can be integrated term by term on [0,1],
though it is not uniformly convergent on [0,1].

16. Given the series ∑ 𝑢 (𝑥) for which 𝑆 (𝑥) = (log(1 + 𝑛 𝑥 )). Show that the series ∑ 𝑢 ′(𝑥)

does not converge uniformly, but that the given series can be differentiated term by term.

17. Show that ∑ , 𝑝 > 1 is uniformly convergent for all values of x and can be differentiated

term by term if 𝑞 < 3𝑝 − 2.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

18. Show that the series cos 𝑥 + cos 2𝑥 + cos 3𝑥 + ⋯ … converges uniformly in (0,2𝜋).

19. Show that the function represented by ∑ is differentiable for every x and its derivative

is ∑ .

20. Show that the differential co-efficient of ∑ is −2𝑥 ∑ ( )

for all real x.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Tutorial Sheet: Real Analysis-IV

1. Compute 𝐿(𝑃, 𝑓) and 𝑈(𝑃, 𝑓) if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 𝑜𝑛 [0,1] 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃 = 0, , , 1 be a partition of [0,1].

2. Show that 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 is integrable on 0, and ∫ sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 1.

3. If 𝑓(𝑥) be defined on [0,2] as follows,

𝑥+𝑥 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙
𝑓(𝑥) = then evaluate the upper and lower
𝑥 + 𝑥 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙
Riemann integrals of f over [0,2] and show that f is not Riemann integrable
over [0,2]. (83/12, 53/12)
4. Find the upper and lower Riemann integrals from the function f defined on [0,1] as follows

𝑓(𝑥) = √1 − 𝑥 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 and hence show that f is not Riemann

1−𝑥 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙
integral on [0,1] ( , )

5. lim +( )
+( )
+ ⋯……+ =
→

6. lim !
=𝑒
→

7. lim sin + sin + sin + ⋯ … … + sin =

→

8. Using the definition of integrals as the limit of a sum show that ∫ sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 1 − cos 𝑎
9. Show that the function defined as follows:

𝑓(𝑥) = when <𝑥≤ ∶ (𝑛 = 0,1,2 … ), 𝑓(0) = 0 is integrable in [0,1], although it has infinite

number of points of discontinuity. Also show that ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = .

10. If f is non negative continuous function on [𝑎, 𝑏] such that ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 0. Then show that
𝑓(𝑥) = 0 ∀ 𝑥 𝜖 [𝑎, 𝑏].
11. Prove that the function f defined on [0,4] by 𝑓(𝑥) = [𝑥], 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 [𝑥] denotes the greatest integer

not greater than x, is integrable on [0,4] and ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 6.

12. Show that ≤∫ 𝑑𝑥 ≤

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

 Tutorial Sheet: Real Analysis- V

1. Show that the Beta function ∫ 𝑥 (1 − 𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 converges iff 𝑚 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 > 0.

2. Show that ∫ 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 exists iff 𝑛 < (𝑚 + 1).

3. Examine the convergence ∫ 𝑥 log 𝑥 𝑑𝑥.

4. Test the convergence of ∫ 𝑑𝑥.

√

5. Find the values of m and n for which the integral ∫ 𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 converges.

6. Examine the convergence of ∫ 𝑑𝑥, ∫ 𝑑𝑥

( )

7. Show that ∫ − is convergent.

8. Show that ∫ 𝑑𝑥 is convergent.

9. Show that ∫ sin 𝑥 dx is convergent.

10. Show that ∫ dx converges but not absolutely.

11. Show that ∫ 𝑑𝑥, 𝑎 ≥ 0 is convergent.

Beta and Gamma Functions

1. Show that/ Evaluate

a. Γ = √𝜋 ;

b. Γ(𝑛) = ∫ log 𝑑𝑥 , 𝑛 > 0

( )
c. ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ( )
, 𝑐 > 0.

d. Γ(𝑛)Γ(1 − 𝑛) = , 0 < 𝑛 < 1.

e. ∫ 𝑥(8 − 𝑥 ) 𝑑𝑥 =
√

f. ∫ =
( )

g. ∫ 𝑑𝑥 =
√

h. ∫ ( )
𝑑𝑥

i. ∫ ( )
𝑑𝑥

√
j. ∫ √tan 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =
√
2. Γ(𝑛)Γ 𝑛 + = Γ(2𝑛), 𝑛 > 0.

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR

Uniform Continuity

1. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = uniformly continuous for 𝑥 𝜖 [0,2] ? Justify your answer.

2. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 , 𝑥 𝜖 𝑅. Show that f is uniformly continuous on every closed and finite interval but
is not uniformly continuous on R.
3. Show that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is uniformly continuous on [𝑎, ∞), where a>0, but not

uniformly continuous on (0, ∞).

4. Show that the sin 𝑥 is uniformly continuous on [0, ∞).
5. Prove that 𝑓(𝑥) = sin 𝑥 is not uniformly continuous on [0, ∞).
6. Show that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is not uniformly continuous on (0,1].

By Avinash Singh, Ex IES, B.Tech IITR