# Points of discontinuity of a bijective function $f:\mathbb{R} \to [0,\infty)$

We know that the points of discontinuity of a monotone function on an interval $[a,b]$ are countable. Using this can we prov that:

• Any bijection $f: \mathbb{R} \to [0,\infty)$ has infinitely many points of discontinuity.

If yes, how or otherwise how to prove the above result?

• You don't even have a hunch? – Mariano Suárez-Álvarez Oct 28 '10 at 5:42
• @Mariano: What did you mean. – anonymous Oct 28 '10 at 5:46

Suppose to the contrary that $f$ has a finite number $n$ of discontinuities, at $x_1, x_2, \ldots x_n$. Then $\mathbb{R} - ( x_1, \ldots x_n )$ is a union of open intervals $I_1, \ldots I_{n + 1}$. $f$ restricted to each $I_m$ is continuous and injective, and therefore monotone, so each image $f|_{I_m}(I_m)$ is an open (in $\mathbb{R}$) interval $J_m$. The $J_m$ are non-empty, pairwise disjoint and contained in $(0, \infty)$; suppose that $J_{m_1} < J_{m_2} < \ldots < J_{m_{n + 1}}$. Then between each $J_{m_p}$ and $J_{m_{p + 1}}$ there is at least one point, which must be the image of some $x_q$. But this exhausts all the $x$'s, so that $0$ is not in the image of $f$.

BTW, can anybody tell me how to get the forum to display braces in math mode?

• Prepend them with a backslash. \{a,b\} gives $\{a,b\}$ – J. M. is a poor mathematician Oct 28 '10 at 5:57
• Huh. I tried that, and it didn't work in the preview. Let's try again: $\{ \}$ – Rotwang Oct 28 '10 at 6:10
• @Rotwang: Try this \\{a\\} – anonymous Oct 28 '10 at 6:15
• @Rotwang: Your test worked on my end. Try (hard) refreshing. – J. M. is a poor mathematician Oct 28 '10 at 8:02
• It seems sometimes I need two backslashes and sometimes only one. I haven't figured out when for each. – Ross Millikan Oct 28 '10 at 13:02