MATH 401 - NOTES

Sequences of functions Pointwise and Uniform Convergence

Fall 2005 Previously, we have studied sequences of real numbers. Now we discuss the topic of sequences of real valued functions. A sequence of functions {fn } is a list of functions (f1 , f2 , . . .) such that each fn maps a given subset D of R into R.

I. Pointwise convergence
Denition. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of functions dened on D. We say that {fn } converges pointwise on D if
n

lim fn (x) exists for each point x in D.

This means that lim fn (x) is a real number that depends only on x.
n

If {fn } is pointwise convergent then the function dened by f (x) = lim fn (x),
n

for every x in D, is called the pointwise limit of the sequence {fn }. Example 1. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R dened by fn (x) = nx. This sequence does not converge pointwise on R because lim fn (x) = n for any x > 0. Example 2. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R dened by fn (x) = x/n. This sequence converges pointwise to the zero function on R. Example 3. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions dened by nx + x2 n2 Show that {fn } converges pointwise. fn (x) = x x2 + 2 =x n n n 1 n n lim 1 for all x in R.

Solution: For every real number x, we have:

n

lim fn (x) = lim

+ x2

1 n n2 lim

=0+0=0

Thus, {fn } converges pointwise to the zero function on R. Example 4. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions dened by fn (x) = sin(nx + 3) n+1 for all x in R.

Show that {fn } converges pointwise. Solution: For every x in R, we have Moreover, 1 = 0. n n+1 Applying the squeeze theorem for sequences, we obtain that lim
n

sin(nx + 3) 1 1 n+1 n+1 n+1

lim fn (x) = 0

for all x in R.

Therefore, {fn } converges pointwise to the function f 0 on R. Example 5. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions dened by fn (x) = n2 xn for 0 x 1. Determine whether {fn } is pointwise convergent. Solution: First of all, observe that fn (0) = 0 for every n in N. So the sequence {fn (0)} is constant and converges to zero. Now suppose 0 < x < 1 then n2 xn = n2 en ln(x) . But ln(x) < 0 when 0 < x < 1, it follows that
n

lim fn (x) = 0 for 0 < x < 1

n

Finally, fn (1) = n2 for all n. So, lim fn (1) = . Therefore, {fn } is not pointwise convergent on [0, 1]. Example 6. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions dened by fn (x) = cosn (x) for /2 x /2. Discuss the pointwise convergence of the sequence. Solution: For /2 x < 0 and for 0 < x /2, we have 0 cos(x) < 1. 2

It follows that
n

lim (cos(x))n = 0

for x = 0.
n

Moreover, since fn (0) = 1 for all n in N, one gets lim fn (0) = 1. Therefore, {fn } converges pointwise to the function f dened by f (x) = x < 0 or 0 < x 0 if 2 1 if x=0
2

Example 7. Consider the sequence of functions dened by fn (x) = nx(1 x)n on [0, 1].

Show that {fn } converges pointwise to the zero function. Solution: Note that fn (0) = fn (1) = 0, for all n N. Now suppose 0 < x < 1, then
n

lim fn (x) = lim nxen ln(1x) = x lim nen ln(1x) = 0

n n

because ln(1 x) < 0 when 0 < x < 1. Therefore, the given sequence converges pointwise to zero. Example 8. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R dened by fn (x) = n3 if 0<x 1 otherwise
1 n

Show that {fn } converges pointwise to the constant function f = 1 on R. Solution: For any x in R there is a natural number N such that x does not belong to the interval (0, 1/N ). The intervals (0, 1/n) get smaller as n . Therefore, fn (x) = 1 for all n > N . Hence,
n

lim fn (x) = 1 for all x.

The formal denition of pointwise convergence

Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of real valued functions dened on D. Then {fn } converges pointwise to f if given any x in D and given any > 0, there exists a natural number N = N (x, ) such that |fn (x) f (x)| < for every n > N. Note: The notation N = N (x, ) means that the natural number N depends on the choice of x and . 3

I. Uniform convergence
Denition. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of real valued functions dened on D. Then {fn } converges uniformly to f if given any > 0, there exists a natural number N = N () such that |fn (x) f (x)| < for every n > N and for every x in D.

Note: In the above denition the natural number N depends only on . Therefore, uniform convergence implies pointwise convergence. But the converse is false as we can see from the following counter-example. Example 9. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on (0, ) dened by fn (x) = nx . 1 + n2 x2

This function converges pointwise to zero. Indeed, (1 + n2 x2 ) n2 x2 as n gets larger and larger. So, lim fn (x) = lim 1 1 nx = lim = 0. n n2 x2 x n n

But for any < 1/2, we have fn 1 n f 1 n = 1 0 > . 2

Hence {fn } is not uniformly convergent. Theorem. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of continuous functions on D which converges uniformly to f on D. Then f is continuous on D

Homework
Problem 1. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on [0, 1] dened by fn (x) = nx(1x4 )n . Show that {fn } converges pointwise. Find its pointwise limit. Problem 2. 1 Is the sequence of functions on [0, 1) dened by fn (x) = (1 x) n pointwise convergent? Justify your answer. Problem 3. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions dened by fn (x) = n + cos(nx) 2n + 1 for all x in R.

Show that {fn } is pointwise convergent. Find its pointwise limit. Problem 4. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions dened on [0, ] by fn (x) = sinn (x). Show that {fn } converges pointwise. Find its pointwise limit. Using the above theorem, show that {fn } is not uniformly convergent.