# Proof that $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$, $f(x)=x^k$ isn't uniformly continuous.

Prove that $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$, $f(x)=x^k, \forall k \in \{b\in \mathbb{N}|b\geq 2\}$ isn't uniformly continuous.

I believe it isn't uniformly continuous since $x^2$ isn't.

the proof for $k=2$ is:

Let $\epsilon=1$, $\delta>0$, Let $x,y \in \mathbb{R}$ such that $x>y>0, x-y=\delta$ and $x+y>\frac{1}{\delta}$. Then

$$|f(x)-f(y)| = |x^2-y^2| =|x-y||x+y|\geq \delta\cdot\frac{1}{\delta}=1$$ therefore $x^2$ isn't uniformly continuous.

How do I manage that for any $k>2$?

• Clearly, the statement cannot be true for all $k$. $k=0$, $k=1$? – Clement C. Nov 2 '16 at 21:10
• Sorry, I'll edit the question, It is for $k \geq 2$ – Matheus barros castro Nov 2 '16 at 21:11

Assume that $f$ is uniformly continuous. Then we for $\epsilon=1, \exists \delta$, s.t $|x-a|<\delta \implies |f(x) - f(a)|<1$. Obviously this $\delta$ doesn't depend on $x$ nor $a$. Now $\exists n \in \mathbb{N}$, s.t. $n^{k-1}\delta > 1$.
Now choose $a=n, x = n + \frac{\delta}{k}$. Then we have that: $|x-a| = |n + \frac{\delta}{k} - n| = |\frac{\delta}{k}| < \delta \implies 1>|f(n+\frac{\delta}{k}) - f(n)|>|n^k + n^{k-1}\delta - n^k| = |n^{k-1}\delta| > 1$
Let $k>1$, $c>0$ there exists an integer $n$ such that $1/n<c$. Let $x\in R$ such that $kx/n^{k-1}>c$, by using the binomial formula, you obtain you have $|(x+1/n)^k-x^k|\geq kx/n^{k-1}|\geq c$ and $|(x+1/n)-x|=1/n<c$.