# Is there any *useful* $f$ who satisfies this properties?

Is there a useful (see below to understand bit more what is useful) function with the properties:

$$f(x)=0 \quad x< k$$ and $$f(x)=1 \quad x\geq k$$ to $$k \in \mathbb{R}$$

But it couldn't be a piecewise function like

$$f(x)=$$ \begin{cases} 0 & x< k \\ 1 & x\geq k \end{cases}

because this type of function can't help so much to manipulate formulas, for use in integration, derivative, transformations, hiperbolic and so on. This kind of function is calculated by a comparision, and I need a calculation using calculus, products, sums, etc.

This kind of function could be very useful and interesting to validate two different formulas. For example, if I have a formula (g1(x)) that holds to a problem when $x<k$ and another that holds when $x\geq k$ (g2(x)), I could use this function (f(x)) to wrote something like:

$$h(x)=f(x)g1(x)+(1-f(x))g2(x)$$

and this give to me a function $h(x)$ that will hold to all $x\in \mathbb{R}$.

To functions in integers we can write something like

$$h(x)=\frac{(-1)^{n-1}+1}{2}g1(x)+\frac{(-1)^n+1}{2}g2(x)$$

and the $g1(x)$ will hold to all $x\equiv 1 \mod 2$ and $g2(x)$ to all $x\equiv 0 \mod 2$.

Pratice:

Here are one example to understand a little about this strange $f$ function.

To $k=0$, $f(x)=0$ to $x<0$ and $f(x)=1$ to $x\geq 0$

Se we can define $h(x)=f(x)x-(1-f(x))x=xf(x)-x+xf(x)=2xf(x)-x=x(2f(x)-1)$

and this function, $x(2f(x)-1)$ is the modulus of the absolute value of a real number $x$.

Test this to $x=0$, $x=-1$ (or negative) and $x=1$ (or positive) and you will see.

-
Your first and second paragraphs each define a function; in fact, exactly the same function. Therefore, what you are asking seems to be, is there a function $f$ which is not the same as the same function $f$. – Rahul Apr 13 '12 at 0:44
Your question makes no sense, because the function is defined by what it does, not by how you express what it does. – Zev Chonoles Apr 13 '12 at 0:48
The answer is: Yes, it is a step function and is indeed very useful in math and electrical engineering. See for example the Heaveside Step Function. – Peter Grill Apr 13 '12 at 0:53
Rahul Narain is right: you specify the function in your first paragraph, and then ask for a different function with the same values. Strictly speaking, that makes no sense. Maybe what you mean is: "Is there a way to describe this function without defining it piecewise?" nubis gives an answer to this question, by describing it as the limit of smooth functions – you Apr 13 '12 at 0:55
@you, you're right, I was searching a way to describe it withou the piecewise. The truth, describe in a useful way. – GarouDan Apr 13 '12 at 1:26

A large number of functions like this exist, for instance: $$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{\pi}\arctan(nx)$$

But there is really no reason not to use the Heaviside step function as it is popularly called, you can write the derivative as a dirac delta function.

More analytic function that suite your problem can be found here as well.

-
Strictly, there is exactly one such function :) – Mariano Suárez-Alvarez Apr 13 '12 at 0:57
@MarianoSuárez-Alvarez Would you be interested in reading a ""paper"" in Spanish I want to present to a professor in the UBA? (it is not long at all, and I'm guessing you'll find it interesting). – Pedro Tamaroff Apr 13 '12 at 1:01
@MarianoSuárez-Alvarez - There are more than one, as you can see in the Wikipedia link. The logistic function is but one. – nbubis Apr 13 '12 at 1:04
What you mean is that there are many formulas which give that function but the function is one. – Mariano Suárez-Alvarez Apr 13 '12 at 1:09
For example: let $H$ be the Heavyside step function, take $g:\mathbb R\to\mathbb R$ to be any function whatsoever and consider the sequence $f_n=H+\frac1n g$, $n\geq1$. Then $f_n\to H$ pointwise. – Mariano Suárez-Alvarez Apr 13 '12 at 1:16