Monotonic Functions, Weierstrass

Approximation Theorem, Infinite Limits, and

Limits at Infinity: A Comprehensive Overview
Shriya Sengupta
SE22UCAM010
Assignment 1 Real Analysis (MA2104)

Shriya Sengupta [SE22UCAM010]

7 October 2023

Abstract:
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the topics of monotonic functions,
Weierstrass approximation theorem, infinite limits, and limits at infinity. The report begins
by defining each topic and discussing its properties. The report then proves some of the most
important theorems related to each topic.

Introduction:
Monotonic functions, Weierstrass approximation theorem, infinite limits, and limits at
infinity are all important topics in real analysis. Monotonic functions are functions that have a
consistent increasing or decreasing trend. Weierstrass approximation theorem states that any
continuous function on a closed interval can be uniformly approximated by polynomials.
Infinite limits are limits of functions as x approaches a finite number. Limits at infinity are
limits of functions as x approaches positive or negative infinity.
These topics are important for a variety of reasons. Monotonic functions are used in calculus,
differential equations, and optimization. Weierstrass approximation theorem is used in
numerical analysis and to approximate continuous functions by polynomials. Infinite limits
and limits at infinity are used to analyse the behaviour of functions at infinity, which can be
useful for understanding the long-term behaviour of dynamical systems and physical
processes.
This report will provide a comprehensive overview of these topics. We will define each topic
and discuss its properties. We will also prove some of the most important theorems related to
each topic.

1 MONOTONE FUNCTIONS
1.1 Definition: Let f be real on ( a , b ). Then f is said to be monotonically increasing on ( a , b )
if a< x< y< b implies f ( x ) ≤ f ( y ). Similarly, f is said to be monotonically decreasing on
( a , b ) if a< x< y< b implies f ( x ) ≥ f ( y ).

1.2 Examples:

a. f ( x )=2 x +3 is a monotonically
increasing function in R. (Fig 1.1)
b. f ( x )=log ⁡(x ) is monotonically increasing in the interval [ 1 , ∞ ). (Fig 1.2)

Fig 1.1
Fig 1.2
 c. f ( x )=e−x is monotonically decreasing in R. (Fig 1.3)

Fig 1.3

1.3 Theorem: Let f be monotonically increasing on (a ,b). Then f ¿ and f ¿ exist at every
point of x of (a ,b) .
¿ f ( t )=f ¿ ¿
a <t< x
Furthermore, if a< x< y< b, then
f¿

Proof: By hypothesis, the set of numbers f (t), where a< t< x , is bounded above by the
number f (x), and therefore has a least upper bound which we shall denote by A.
Evidently A ≤ f (x ). We have to show that A=f ¿.
Let ε > 0 be given. It follows from the definition of A as a least upper bound that there
exists δ >0 such that a< x−δ< x and
A−ε < f ( x−δ ) ≤ A
Since f is monotonic, we have
f ( x−δ ) ≤ f ( t ) ≤ A ( x−δ< t< x )
From the last two inequalities, we see that
|f ( t )− A|< ε
Hence f ¿ .
Next, if a< x< y< b , we see that
f¿
Similarly,
f¿

1.4 Theorem: Let f be monotonic on (a ,b). Then the set of points of ( a , b ) at which f is
discontinuous is at most countable.

Proof: Without loss of generality, say f is monotonically increasing. Furthermore,

assume (a ,b) is bounded and f is increasing on the closed interval [a , b].
For each x 0 ∈ ( a , b ) , f has a finite limit from the left and from the right at a 0 .
Define
 f¿
f¿
Since f is increasing, then f ¿ . So f has a discontinuity at x 0 if and only if f ¿ in which
case there is a jump discontinuity at x 0.
Define the jump interval J ( x 0 )= { y| f ¿ Each jump interval is contained in the bounded
interval [f ( a ) , f ( b ) ] and the collection of jump intervals is pairwise disjoint. Therefore, for
1
each n ∈ N , there are only finitely many jump intervals of length greater than .Thus the
n
set of points of discontinuity of f is the union of countable collection of finite sets and
therefore countable.

2 WEIERSTRASS APPROXIMATION THEOREM

2.1 Theorem: Let f be a continuous real-valued function on a closed, bounded interval [a , b].
Then for each ε > 0, there is a polynomial p for which
|f ( x ) −p ( x )|< ε for all x ∈[a , b ].

2.2 Example
The nth Bernstein polynomial for f is given by

()
n

()
Bn ( f )=∑ n x i ( 1−x ) f
i=0 i
n−i i
n
1
Let f ( x )=¿ x − ∨¿
2
Fig 2.1 shows the polynomial approximation of the function where B(x,4,f) , B(x,10,f),
B(x,30,f) are the 4th, 10th and 30th Bernstein polynomial of function f .

Fig 2.1

3 LIMIT AT INFINITY
3.1 Definition: If f is a function, we say that lim f ( x ) =Lif for every ε > 0 there is an N >0 so
x→ ∞
lim f ( x ) =L.
that whenever x > N ,|f ( x )−L|< ε . Similarly we may define x→−∞

3.2 Example:

a. Define f ( x )= { −2 ,∧x < 0

2,∧x ≥ 0
So, lim f ( x ) =2 and lim f ( x ) =−2
x→ ∞ x→−∞

1
b. Define g ( x )= 2
x
So, lim g ( x )= lim g ( x )=0
x→ ∞ x→−∞

4 INFINITE LIMIT
4.1 Definition (Infinite limits from the left): Let f (x) be a function defined at all values in
(b , a).
a. If the values of f increase without bound as the values of x approach a (where x <a ),
we say that the limit as x approached a from the left is positive infinity and we write
lim ¿
−¿
x→ a f ( x )=+∞ ¿
b. If the values of f decrease without bound as the values of x approach a (where x <a ),
we say that the limit as x approached a from the left is negative infinity and we write
lim ¿
−¿
x→ a f ( x )=−∞ ¿

4.2 Definition (Infinite limits from the right): Let f (x) be a function defined at all values in
(a ,c ).
a. If the values of f increase without bound as the values of x approach a (where x >a ),
we say that the limit as x approached a from the right is positive infinity and we write
lim ¿
+¿
x→ a f ( x ) =+ ∞ ¿
b. If the values of f decrease without bound as the values of x approach a (where x >a ),
we say that the limit as x approached a from the right is negative infinity and we
write
lim ¿
+¿
x→ a f ( x ) =−∞ ¿

4.2 Definition (Two -sided infinite limit): Let f (x) be defined for all x ≠ a in an open
interval containing a.
a. If the values of f (x) increase without bound as the values of x (where x ≠ a ) approach
the number a, then we say that the limit as x approaches a is positive infinity and we
write
 lim f ( x )=+∞
x →a
b. If the values of f (x) decrease without bound as the values of x (where x ≠ a ) approach
the number a, then we say that the limit as x approaches a is negative infinity and we
write
lim f ( x )=−∞
x →a

4.3 Example:
1
a. f ( x )=
x
lim ¿
So, x→ 0 1 =−∞ ¿
−¿
x
lim ¿
Again, x→ 0
+¿ 1
=+∞ ¿
x
1
So, we find that lim does not exist.
x →0 x

REFERRENCES
1. Walter Rudin, Principles of Mathematical Analysis, Third Edition,
McGrew Hill
2. H. L. Royden, P. M. Fitzpatrick, Real Analysis, Fourth Edition, Pearson
3. Dr Robert B Gardner, East Tennessee State University, Lecture Notes.
https://faculty.etsu.edu/gardnerr/5210/Beamer-Proofs/Proofs-6-1.pdf
4. Robert Mayans ,The Journal of Online Mathematics and Its Applications,

The Chebyshev Equioscillation Theorem, Volume 6, 2006.

5. John D. Cook, Uniform Approximation Paradox.
https://www.johndcook.com/blog/2019/08/09/uniform-approximation-paradox/
6. Simon Fraser University, Math 157 Course Notes, Calculus Early
Transcendentals: Differentiable and Multi-Variable Calculus for Social
Sciences.
https://www.sfu.ca/math-coursenotes/Math%20157%20Course%20Notes/
sec_InfLimits.html