# Example for a sequence of continuous functions which converge to a continuous function pointwise but not uniformly on a compact set.

My actual aim is to verify that each of the conditions in Dini's theorem is essential or not.Theorem says that A sequence {$f_{n}$} of continuous functions defined on a compact set $E$ converges to $f$ point wise satisfying the following properties : $f_{n}$ is monotonic and $f$ is continuous. Then {$f_{n}$} converges to $f$ uniformly.

So there are three hypothesis are used in theorem compactness of $E$,continuity of $f$ and monotonicity of $f_{n}$. First one is essential because $f_{n}= \frac{1}{1+nx}$ defined on open interval $(0,1)$ converge to $o$ point wise but not uniformly.Second condition cannot be omitted since $f_{n}=x^{n}$ defined on $[0,1]$ converges to a discontinuous function.

Left out one is monotonicity.For that I need to construct a sequence of functions which are continuous, non-monotonic,and converges point wise to a continuous function.But convergence should not be uniform.

I could not get such a sequence.

• There was a mistake in my question sorry..I need a sequence of continuous functions on a compact set which converges point wise to a continuous function.But the sequence should not be monotonic Then convergence should not be uniform.So I am editing my question. – Madhu Jan 18 '15 at 3:12
• – Andrew Miloradovsky Aug 29 '17 at 10:59

Let $f_n$ be a big "spike" with support in $[0, 2/n]$. To be precise:

For $n \geq 2$, let $f_n$ be the unique piecewise linear function on $[0,1]$ such that:

(a) $f_n = 0$ on $[2/n, 1]$,

(b) $f_n$ is linear on $[0,1/n]$ and $[1/n, 2/n]$,

(c) $f_n(0) = f_n(2/n) = 0$, and

(d) $f_n(1/n) = n$.

The $f_n$ converge to zero, but certainly not uniformly.

• Will it be monotonic ? – Madhu Jan 18 '15 at 3:03
• @Madhu: No, it isn't monotonic. (For one thing, if it were it would contradict Dini's theorem!) But it is easy to see this if you draw pictures of the functions $f_n$; for a fixed number $x_0$ that is close to 0 you will see $f_n(x_0)$ increase and then decrease as $n$ grows. – Nate Eldredge Jan 18 '15 at 3:34
• yes..Earlier there was a mistake in my question I need a non monotonic function Now I have edited the question.I will give one example based on your answer..(surely not my invention) – Madhu Jan 19 '15 at 16:47

Answer based on hints given by Nate Eldredge. But this one I obtained from one more book.

$f_{n}(x)=n^{2}x$ if $0 \leq x \leq \frac{1}{n}$,

= $-n^{2}x+2n$ if $\frac{1}{n} <x< \frac{2}{n}$

=$0$ if $\frac{2}{n} \leq x \leq 1$ .

Here we have to start with $n=2$.

Graph of this function will look like triangle with changing base.