1
$\begingroup$

Let $f: [0,2] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ a bounded function with $$ f(x) = \begin{cases} x \qquad \qquad 0 \leq x \leq 1 \\ x-1 \qquad \quad 1 < x \leq 2 \end{cases} $$ Prove that $f$ is Riemann integrable and calculate $\int_0^2 f(x)dx$.

Can I prove this by saying that since $f$ is monotonically increasing on the interval $[0,1]$ and on the interval $(1,2]$, it is Riemann integrable on the interval $[0,2]$. And how do I calculate the integral using an upper and lower integral and upper and lower sums?

$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ Would you allow the use of Darboux's theorem, or do you want a proof that merely uses the definition of the integral in terms of upper and lower sums? $\endgroup$
    – esechanota
    Apr 6, 2020 at 14:33
  • $\begingroup$ I want a proof that merely uses the definition of the integral in terms of upper and lower sums, since we haven't done anything with Darboux's theorem yet (I don't even know what is it actually) $\endgroup$
    – NotanAI
    Apr 6, 2020 at 14:34
  • $\begingroup$ hint: Draw a graph of $f$ and choose cleverly a 3 to 4 point partition of $[0,2]$ that involves $n$. $\endgroup$
    – DeepSea
    Apr 6, 2020 at 14:52
  • $\begingroup$ While likely beyond the scope of what you are looking for, your claim is correct! A monotonically increasing function has a countable number of discontinuties, thus is a set of measure $0$. Now, apply the theorem here: proofwiki.org/wiki/Riemann-Lebesgue_Theorem $\endgroup$
    – Mike
    Apr 6, 2020 at 15:33

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

You could use the fact that if $f$ is integrable on $[a,b]$ and $[b,c]$ then $f$ is integrable on $[a,c]$ and satisfies $$ \int_{a}^{c} f = \int_{a}^{b} f + \int_{b}^{c} f $$ Now $\int_{1}^{2} x - 1 \, dx = \int_{0}^{1} u \, du$ and therefore it suffices to show that $\int_{0}^{1} x \, dx$ is integrable.

The lower sums are $$ L = \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(t_{i-1})(t_{i} - t_{i-1}) $$ and the upper sums are $$ U = \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(t_{i})(t_{i} - t_{i-1}) $$ If we use the uniform partition where $t_{i} = a + \frac{b-a}{n}i = \frac{i}{n}$ then these become \begin{align*} L & = \sum_{i=1}^{n} \frac{i-1}{n} \frac{1}{n} \\ & = \frac{1}{n^{2}} \sum_{i=1}^{n} (i - 1) \\ & = \frac{(n-1)(n)}{2n^{2}} \\ & = \frac{n^{2} - n}{2n^{2}} \\ & = \frac{1 - \frac{1}{n}}{2} \\ & \rightarrow \frac{1}{2}, \, \text{ as } n \rightarrow \infty \end{align*} You should be able to show that $U = \frac{n^{2}+n}{2n^{2}} \rightarrow \frac{1}{2}$. Since the upper sum and lower sum both converge to the same value, the integral is defined.

$\endgroup$
3
  • $\begingroup$ This is a good answer. +1. Technically speaking though, when you take the limit as $n\to \infty$, aren't you taking the limit under the uniform partition scheme (call it $\mathcal{P}_n$)? Shouldn't there be a line about $\displaystyle \inf_{\mathcal{P}} U(f,\mathcal{P})\leq \lim_{n\to\infty} U(f,\mathcal{P}_n)=\frac{1}{2}$. Similarly, for the lower sum $\displaystyle \sup_{\mathcal{P}} L(f,\mathcal{P})\geq \frac{1}{2}$. Hence $\displaystyle \sup_{\mathcal{P}} L(f,\mathcal{P})\geq \frac{1}{2}\geq \inf_{\mathcal{P}} U(f,\mathcal{P})$. $\endgroup$
    – AlanD
    Apr 6, 2020 at 17:17
  • $\begingroup$ If $U(f,P_{n}) - L(f,P_{n}) \rightarrow 0$ for any sequence of partitions, then the integral is defined, because we must always have $\inf U - \sup L \leq U(f,P_{n}) - L(f,P_{n})$, so I never worry about which sequence of partitions I choose, so long as it works! This is the Archimedes-Riemann theorem. I think you're right that if the OP wants to use no assumptions/theorems this is definitely worth mentioning. $\endgroup$
    – Shai
    Apr 6, 2020 at 17:35
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I completely agree that it's obvious, but we are, after all, proving how to integrate a line. I don't know the OP's level, but they should understand the Archimedes-Riemann theorem if they don't already. Cheers. $\endgroup$
    – AlanD
    Apr 6, 2020 at 17:47
1
$\begingroup$

Let $\mathcal{P}=\{0=x_0<x_1<...,x_n=2\}$ be any partition. Let $j_0$ be such that $1\in[x_{j_0},x_{j_0+1})$. Then \begin{align} U(f,\mathcal{P})&=\sum_{k=0}^{j_0-1}x_{k+1}(x_{k+1}-x_k)+\sum_{k=j_0+1}^{n}(x_{k+1}-1)(x_{k+1}-x_k) \,+f(1)(x_{j_0+1}-x_{j_0}) \\ L(f,\mathcal{P})&=\sum_{k=0}^{j_0-1}x_{k}(x_{k+1}-x_k)+\sum_{k=j_0+1}^{n}(x_{k}-1)(x_{k+1}-x_k) \,+0\,(x_{j_0+1}-x_{j_0}) \end{align} Subtracting, we find \begin{align} U(f,\mathcal{P})-L(f,\mathcal{P})&=\sum_{k=0}^{j_0-1}(x_{k+1}-x_k)^2+\sum_{k=j_0+1}^{n}(x_{k+1}-x_k)^2 \,+f(1)\,(x_{j_0+1}-x_{j_0}). \end{align} Given $\epsilon>0$, how can you make this small?

$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

The given function is not continuous at x=1. But that doesn’t matter since f can afford the luxury of discontinuity on a set of measure zero. So you must simply integrate neglecting the discontinuity to get the solution.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .