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 .