G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS

PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

This will be the main source of practice questions for G12MAN-MTH2009, to be used for the
problem classes and tutorials.
Note: In these questions the natural logarithm is denoted by ln. In the lecture notes and
lecture slides log is used instead to denote the natural logarithm.

1. Review of some MATH1005-G11ACF material

1.1. (a) Suppose a < c < b. Prove that |c| ≤ max{|a|, |b|}.

(b) For a, b ∈ R, prove that

a + b |a − b| a + b |a − b|
max{a, b} = + and min{a, b} = − .
2 2 2 2

(c) For x ∈ R, prove that (max{x, 0})2 + (min{x, 0})2 = x2 .

1 1 1
(d) For x ∈ R and x 6= 0, prove that x + = |x| + hence prove that x + ≥ 2.
x |x| x
(e) For a > 0, prove that
√ √ 1 1
0< a+1− a≤ √ , and 0 < (a + 1)1/3 − a1/3 ≤ .
2 a 3a2/3
(Hint: x2 − y 2 = (x − y)(x + y), x3 − y 3 = (x − y)(x2 + xy + y 2 )).
√ √
(f) For a, b, c > 0, prove that a2 + b 2 − a2 + c2 ≤ |b − c|.

n 1 1
1.2. (a) Show that − ≤ for n ∈ N.
2n + 1 2 4n
(b) Use the definition of convergence for sequence of real numbers to prove that
n 1 √ √
i) lim = , ii) lim n+1− n = 0, iii) lim (n + 1)1/3 − n1/3 = 0.
n→∞ 2n + 1 2 n→∞ n→∞

Hint: Use estimates 1.2.(a), 1.1.(c) respectively.

(c) Prove that for all n ∈ N, the following inequalities hold.

√
n+5 6 3n2 + 2n + 1 3 9 n2 + n 1
i) 2 −0 ≤ , ii) 2
− ≤ , iii) −1 ≤ .
n +1 n 2n − 1 2 2n n 2n
1
2 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

(d) Use the corresponding inequalities in (c) above and the definition of convergence for
sequence of real numbers to prove that
√
n+5 3n2 + 2n + 1 3 n2 + n
i) lim 2 = 0, ii) lim = , iii) lim = 1.
n→∞ n + 1 n→∞ 2n2 − 1 2 n→∞ n
(e) Suppose a sequence (xn ) of real numbers satisfies
|xn+1 | ≤ α|xn |, n = 1, 2, . . . ,
where 0 < α < 1 is a fixed constant. Prove that limn→∞ xn = 0.

(f) Suppose limn→∞ xn = a in R and b ∈ R. Show that

lim max{xn , b} = max{a, b}, lim min{xn , b} = min{a, b}.
n→∞ n→∞

Hint: Use 1.1.(b).

P∞
1.3. Let (bk ) be a positive real sequence such that k=1 bk converges.
P∞ 2
(a) Must k=1 bk converge?
P∞ P∞
(b) If ak → 0 as k → ∞, must k=1 ak bk converge? Must k=1 ak /k converge?

(c) What happen if we drop the assumption that bk is positive in (a)?

Hints: think about the comparison test, the alternating series test from G11ACF-MATH1005 and
examples in Chapter 0.

1.4. Does there exist a real sequence (ak ) such that ∞

P P∞
k=1 ak and k=1 cos(ak ) both converge?

1.5. A real sequence is given, from a positive starting value x0 , by

√
xn+1 = 12 + xn .
Determine a positive real number L with the property that if (xn ) converges then limn→∞ xn = L.
Determine the behaviour of the sequence when 0 < x0 < L (hint: look at L − xn and xn+1 − xn ).
Do the same for x0 > L.

1.6. Determine the following limits if they exist (in some you may need L’Hôpital’s rule).

4n + 5n tan x
(a) lim ; (b) lim ; (c) lim (sin x)2/ ln x ;
n→∞ 5n − 12 x→π x2 − π 2 x→0+

n!(2n)! √ √ √
(d) lim , (e) lim n( n + 1 − n) ; (f ) lim (n + 1)α − nα ; (0 < α < 1).
n→∞ (3n)! n→∞ n→∞

Hint for (f ): tα < t for t > 1 and 0 < α < 1.

1.7. Use the sandwich theorem to prove that

n n
X 1 X 1
(a) lim √ = 1, (b) lim = 0.
n→∞
k=1
n2 +k n→∞
k=1
(n + k)2
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 3

1.8. Recall from G11ACF that if a non-empty set A of real numbers is bounded above (i.e. A
has an upper bound M , which means that x ≤ M for all x ∈ A) then among all upper bounds
for A there is one which is the least. This is denoted l.u.b.A or sup A (least upper bound =
supremum). If A is not bounded above (unbounded above), we define sup A = +∞. Similarly,
if A is unbounded below, we define inf A = −∞.
a) If A and B are non-empty sets of real numbers and are bounded above:
(i) prove that sup(A ∪ B) = max{sup A, sup B};
(ii) decide whether sup(A ∩ B) is always min{sup A, sup B} (assuming that A ∩ B 6= ∅).
(iii) Suppose for all x ∈ A and y ∈ B, we have x ≤ y. Prove that sup A ≤ inf B.
(iv) Suppose A ⊆ B and B is bounded, i.e., B is bounded above and below. Prove that
sup A ≤ sup B.
(v) Define C = {x + y : x ∈ A, y ∈ B}. Prove that sup C ≤ sup A + sup B.
(vi) If we further assume that A ⊆ [0, +∞) and B ⊆ [0, +∞) and define
D = {xy : x ∈ A, y ∈ B}. Prove that inf D ≥ inf A inf B.

1.9. This question is a more general version of Question 1.3.

Let (bk ) be a positive real sequence such that ∞
P
k=1 k converges, and let f : R → R be a
b
function such that f (0) = 0 and f is differentiable at 0 (this means that

f (x) − f (0)
f 0 (0) = lim
x→0 x−0
exists and is a real number). Show that ∞
P
k=1 f P
(bk ) converges.
Give an example ofP a convergent real series ∞ k=1 ak and a function g : R → R such that
g(0) = g 0 (0) = 0 but ∞ k=1 g(a k ) diverges.

2. Norm and Sequences

2.1. Suppose xn → x in Rd as n → ∞. Prove that kxn k → kxk in R as n → ∞.

2.2. For x = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xd ) ∈ Rd , prove that

√
|x1 | + |x2 | + · · · + |xd | ≤ dkxk.

2.3. Prove that the following inequalities hold, hence prove by definition that the corresponding
sequences diverge to +∞ .
n2 − 3 n n2 + 1 n n2 + 1 n
a) ≥ for n ≥ 3, (b) ≥ for n ∈ N, (c) ≥ for n ∈ N.
2n + 1 6 2n + 1 3 2n − 1 2
Hint for (a): Show that n2 − 3 ≥ n2 /2.

n2 + cos n
 
2.4. The sequence (xn ) is given by xn = 2
, (3n)1/n for n ∈ N. Show that (xn ) is
(1 + 2n)
convergent in R2 and find its limit x.
Let X = {xn : n ∈ N}. Does x belong to X? Justify your answer.
4 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

n

n
2.5. Let xn = (−1)n n+1
and yn = n(−1) for n ∈ N. Define X = {xn : n ∈ N} and
Y = {yn : n ∈ N}.

(a) Show that sup X = 1, 1 ∈

/ X and find a subsequence of (xn ) converging to 1.

(b) Show that sup Y = +∞, inf Y = 0 and find a subsequence of (yn ) converging to 0 and a
subsequence diverging to +∞.

2.6. (a) Let (an ) be a real sequence such that an+1 − an tends to 0 as n → ∞. Must (an )
converge?
(b) Suppose the real sequence (an ) does not converge and bn − an → 0 as n → ∞. Show
that bn does not converge in R.

2.7. By finding two subsequences converging to two different limits, prove that the following
real sequences do not converge.
√
 
n−1 2nπ
(a) xn = sin(nπ+π/2), (b) yn = cos , (c); (optional) zn = sin n2 + n.
n+1 3

√ (c) you may use the fact | sin x − sin y| ≤ |x − y| for x, y ∈ R. Hint for (c): Show that
For
n2 + n − (n + 1/2) → 0. Then use (a) and Q2.6 (b).

2.8. Use L’Hôpital’s rule to show that limn→∞ n ln(1 + 1/n) = 1. Using this fact show that
limn→∞ (1 + 1/n)n = exp(1) = e, from which it follows of course that if n is large then 1 + 1/n
is close to 1, but (1 + 1/n)n is not. Hence or otherwise make a bounded positive sequence (an )
such that an+1 /an → 1 but (an ) has no limit at all.

2.9. Let
n
xn = √ .
1 + n2
Determine A = limn→∞ xn . Determine an integer N such that |xn − A| < 10−10 for all n ≥ N .
Hint: think about x2n − A2 and use a similar idea as in Q1.1(e).
n
X 1 n5
2.10. Let xn = , yn = n , (a > 1).
k=1
3k + 1 a
(a) Show that (xn ) is non-decreasing and bounded above.
(b) Show that there exists N ∈ N such that yn+1 ≤ yn for n > N .

2.11. Fact: let (an ) be a bounded real sequence. Then the following are equivalent:
(i) the sequence (an ) is convergent;
(ii) all convergent subsequences of (an ) have the same limit.
Here it is more or less obvious that (i) implies (ii). Prove that (ii) implies (i) as follows.
Suppose that all convergent subsequences of (an ) have the same limit α, but (an ) does not
converge to α. Show that there exist ε > 0 and a subsequence (ank ) of (an ) with |ank − α| ≥ ε
for all k (hint: take the definition of convergence to α and negate it). Now apply the Bolzano-
Weierstrass theorem to (ank ).

2.12. Let (an ) be a real sequence such that every subsequence of (an ) has a convergent subse-
quence. Prove that (an ) is bounded.
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 5

2.13. Let (xn ) (n = 1, 2, . . .) be a convergent sequence with limit L. Define yn by yn =

max{x1 , x2 , . . . , xn }. Must (yn ) be convergent? If so, must limn→∞ yn = L?
2.14. (Optional) Let (xn ) (n = 1, 2, . . .) be a convergent sequence with limit a. Define yn by
x1 + x2 + . . . + xn
yn = , n ∈ N.
n
Prove that limn→∞ yn = a.

2.15. For any integer q ≥ 3 let

q
1 1 1 X 1
Sq = 1 + + + . . . + = .
1 2! q! n=0 n!
Show that (with e = exp(1))
 
1 1 1 1
0 < e − Sq < + + + ... .
q! (q + 1) (q + 1)2 (q + 1)3
Using this inequality, prove that e is irrational. Hint: if e is rational then what can you say about
q!(e − Sq ) for large q?
2.16. Let n be a positive integer. By drawing the graph of 1/x for 1 ≤ x ≤ n + 1 convince
yourself (and a sceptical friend) that
1 1 1
ln n ≤ 1 + + . . . + and ln(n + 1) − ln n > .
2 n n+1
Hence show that the sequence
1 1
Yn = 1 + + . . . + − ln n
2 n
is non-increasing and bounded below (and so convergent with limit γ = lim Yn ).

Comment: this says that, for n large,

1 1
1+ + . . . + ≈ γ + ln n,
2 n
which shows you how quickly the partial sums of ∞ 1
P
k=1 k tend to infinity. This γ is often called
Euler’s constant or the Euler-Mascheroni constant (first appeared 1734 according to Wikipedia)
but, although there are very good numerical estimates for γ, nobody knows whether γ is rational
or irrational.
2.17. Let B be the set  
1 1
+ : m, n ∈ N .
m n
Which real numbers A have the property that there is a sequence of distinct members of B with
limit A?
Which real numbers a have the property that there is a sequence of members of B with limit a?

Hint for the first part: if xk = 1/mk + 1/nk is a sequence in B which does not repeat, what can
you say about mk and/or nk ?
6 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

2.18. Show that there exists a real sequence (xn ) in which every rational number occurs at least
once (hint: this is really just the fact that Q is countable).
Show that there exists a real sequence (yn ) in which every rational number occurs infinitely
often. Deduce that if z is any real number then (yn ) has a subsequence with limit z.

2.19. (Optional) A real sequence (xn ) is defined as follows: we take the elements in order
(starting from x0 ) to be
1 2 9 1 2 99 1
0, 1, 0, , ,..., , 1, 0, , ,..., , 1, 0, ,...
10 10 10 100 100 100 1000
So we take p for p = 0, 1, then p/10 for p = 0, . . . , 10, then p/100 for p = 0, . . . , 100 and so on.
Which real numbers A have the property that some subsequence of (xn ) converges to A?

2.20. Determine (explicitly) a convergent subsequence of the sequence in R2 given for n =

1, 2, . . . by
  πn     πn 
n 4n + 3
xn = e sin , cos .
7 3n + 4 3

2.21. (Optional)This question is a generalisation of Question 2.5 (a).

Suppose x1 , x2 , . . . , xn , . . . is a bounded sequence in R and let A = {xn : n ∈ N }. If
sup A ∈/ A, prove that there is a subsequence (xnj ) of (xn ) such that xnj → sup A as j → ∞.
If we drop the assumption that sup A ∈ / A, is the above result still true?

3. Open sets, closed sets and boundary of a set

3.1. Consider the set A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x − 2y < 1} ⊆ R2 .
(a) Show that (0, 0) ∈ A and (0, 0) is an interior point of A by showing that there is r > 0 such
that Br ((0, 0)) ⊆ A.
(b) By using the definition of open sets, prove that A is an open set in R2 .
(c) Prove by contradiction and Proposition 6.3 that A is an open set in R2 .
p
3.2. Prove that the set A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x ≥ 0, x2 + y 2 < 1} ⊆ R2 is not an open set by
using Proposition 6.3.
p
3.3. Let A =p B2 ((0, 1)) = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : (x − 1)2 + y 2 < 2} and B = B2 ((0, −1)) =
{(x, y) ∈ R2 : (x + 1)2 + y 2 < 2} be two open balls in R2 . Prove that (0, 0) ∈ A ∩ B, (0, 0)
is an interior point of A ∩ B and A ∩ B is an open set in R2 by showing that (A ∩ B)c is a closed
set.

3.4. (a) Prove by contradiction and Proposition 6.3 that A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x4 − y 8 > 1} ⊆ R2
is an open.
(b) Prove that A is an unbounded set in R2 .

3.5. Give examples of subsets A, B of R2 such that neither A nor B is open, but every point in
A and every point in B is an interior point of A or an interior point of B. Must A ∪ B be open?
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 7

3.6. One way to build sets in higher dimensions is to combine lower dimensional sets using the
Cartesian product. If A ⊂ RM and B ⊂ RN then the Cartesian product A × B is that subset of
RM +N which is given by
A × B = {(a, b) : a ∈ A, b ∈ B}.
This means the set of all pairs (a, b), where a ∈ A and b ∈ B. So, for example, Q × Q gives
all points in R2 with rational coordinates.
(i) If A and B are open must A × B be open? Hint: think about the open balls criterion.
(ii) If A and B are closed must A × B be closed? Hint: start with a convergent sequence in
A × B.
(iii) Is it true that the boundary of A × B is ∂A × ∂B?

3.7. Let
G = {(u, v) ∈ R2 : sin u > sin v}.
Is G bounded? Is G open?

3.8. Let h be the Heaviside function on R:

h(t) = 0 (t < 0) ; h(t) = 1 (t ≥ 0).
Show that, for every real s, the set
{t ∈ R : h(t) < s}
is open. Is the set
{t ∈ R : h(t) > s}
open for every real s?
Now let
G = {(u, v) ∈ R2 : h(u) > h(v)}.
Is G bounded? Is G open?

Comment: here the first two sets are subsets of R, whereas G is a subset of R2 of course.

3.9. Let E be any subset of Rd . Prove that the set int E of interior points of E is an open set.
Hint: Suppose Br (x) ⊆ E, show that Br/2 (x) ⊆ int E.

3.10. If E = (0, 2) and F = (3, 12) (both intervals in R), what is

G = {x + y : x ∈ E, y ∈ F }?

3.11. Let E and F be non-empty open subsets of R and let

G = {x + y : x ∈ E, y ∈ F }.
Must G be open?
Hint: first take y ∈ R and think about the set y + E = {x + y : x ∈ E}. The definition of
openness in terms of open balls should help you decide whether y + E is open.
8 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

3.12. Let E and F be closed and bounded non-empty subsets of R and let
G = {x + y : x ∈ E, y ∈ F }.
Show that G is closed and bounded. Hint for the closed part: take a convergent sequence (zn )
in G and write zn = xn + yn with xn ∈ E and yn ∈ F , but remember that you can’t assume
that (xn ) and/or (yn ) converges.
Can you find non-empty closed sets E1 , F1 in R such that
G1 = {x + y : x ∈ E1 , y ∈ F1 }
is not closed?
3.13. Is the intersection of a family of closed sets in Rd necessarily closed?
Is the union of a family of closed sets in Rd necessarily closed?
Hints for the intersection: suppose that Et ⊂ Rd is closed for each t in some set T . You need to
decide whether \
F = Et
t∈T
is closed (F consists of all x which are in all of the Et ). One way is to start with a convergent
sequence (xn ) in F and think about whether the limit must be in F . Alternatively, you can look
at the complements Etc .
3.14. Give two examples of sets A ⊂ R2 which are both open and closed.
Harder question: are there any more?
3.15. Is the set
{(u, v) ∈ R2 : u > 0, v > 0, uv ≥ 1}
open, closed or neither?
3.16. For each of the following sets, determine (where possible)
(i) a convergent sequence in the set whose limit is not in the set;
(ii) a sequence in the set having no subsequence with limit in the set.
(a) A = Q ; (b) B = {(u, v) ∈ R2 : u2 + 4v 2 < 4} ;
(c) C = {(u, v) ∈ R2 : u2 + 4v 2 ≤ 4} ; (d) D = {(u, v) ∈ R2 : sin(u2 + 4v 2 ) ≤ 1/4}.
Comment: of course, if you find an answer to (i) then this is automatically an answer to (ii) also.
3.17. Let E be a closed and bounded non-empty subset of Rd . Let
A = {kx − yk : x, y ∈ E}.
Show that A is bounded, and show that there exist a, b ∈ E such that
kx − yk ≤ ka − bk for all x, y ∈ E.
Hint: take suitable sequences (xn ), (yn ).
3.18. Let E be a bounded subset of Rd and let 0 < r < ∞. Let
[
U= B(x, r).
x∈E
d
Show that U is a bounded open subset of
SR .
When d = 1 and r > 0, what is V = x∈Q B(x, r)?
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 9

3.19. Let E and F be disjoint (i.e. E ∩ F = ∅), non-empty closed subsets of Rd , and assume
that E is bounded. Let
L = inf{kx − yk : x ∈ E, y ∈ F }.
Prove that L > 0 (hint: if not then we can find xn ∈ E, yn ∈ F with kxn − yn k → 0).
Give examples of disjoint, non-empty unbounded closed subsets G, H of R2 such that
inf{kx − yk : x ∈ G, y ∈ H} = 0.
Hint: try drawing them first, or look in an earlier question for a clue.
Give examples of disjoint, non-empty bounded open subsets J, K of R2 such that
inf{kx − yk : x ∈ J, y ∈ K} = 0.
3.20. Determine the boundary of each of the following subsets of R:
(a) N = {1, 2, . . .} ; (b) R \ Q ;
(c) {x ∈ R : 0 < x < 1} ; (d) {x ∈ Q : 0 < x < 1} (e) {2−n : n ∈ N}.
For each of these sets choose one point in the boundary and verify that it does indeed belong to
the boundary by writing down explicitly appropriate sequences.
3.21. Let A be a bounded non-empty subset of R. Prove that the least upper bound sup A is
in the boundary ∂A.
3.22. Let E be any subset of Rd . Prove that the set E ∪ ∂E is closed.
Hint: If the limit point is not in E, modify the sequence to be a sequence in E with the same
limit.
3.23. Let E ⊂ R. Prove or disprove the following statements:
(i) if a ∈ E and b ∈ E c = R \ E and a < b then [a, b] ∩ ∂E 6= ∅.
(ii) if a ∈ E and b ∈ E c = R \ E and a < b then (a, b) ∩ ∂E 6= ∅.
3.24. Do there exist three subsets A1 , A2 , A3 of R, which are pairwise disjoint (i.e. Ai ∩ Aj = ∅
for i 6= j) and such that ∂Aj = {0, 1} for each j?
3.25. Let E ⊂ Rd and let x ∈ Rd . Is it true that the following are equivalent?
(i) We have x ∈ ∂E i.e. x is a boundary point of E;
(ii) for every positive real number r, the open ball B(x, r) meets both E and E c .

Here, recall that when we say that two sets A and B meet, we mean that A ∩ B 6= ∅.
3.26. (TRICKY, AND COMPLETELY OPTIONAL!)
In this module we only consider subsets E of Rd , and the boundary of E (with respect to Rd ) is
the set ∂E of all x ∈ Rd such that x is the limit of a sequence in E, and the limit of a sequence
in Rd \ E.
However, in principle, one can take a subset E of a set F , and define the boundary of E with
respect to F as the set of all x ∈ F such that x is the limit of a sequence in E and the limit
of a sequence in F \ E. This makes sense as long as the idea of the limit of a sequence makes
sense. In the module we have only done this for E ⊂ F = Rd .

(a) Let A = {x ∈ Q : x2 < 2}. What is the boundary of A with respect to Q?

(b) Let B = {x ∈ R : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}. What is the boundary of B with respect to C?

10 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

This question is rather subtle and I stress that in G12MAN (and, in particular, in the assess-
ment) we will only consider the boundary of a subset E of Rd with respect to Rd , in which case
there is no ambiguity about which d is required, since the elements of E are expressed as vectors.

3.27. Determine (as simple as possible) a formula for the boundary of each of the following sets
in R2 :
(a) C = B(0, 2)∩{(u, v) ∈ R2 : u+v ≤ 0} ; (b) D = B(0, 2)∪{(u, v) ∈ R2 : u+v ≤ 0}.
Are C, D open, closed, or neither?
In this particular question you are not asked to provide proofs, but it is good practice to try to
do so anyway. You will definitely be expected to be able to provide proofs for similar questions
as this one.

3.28. In this question, A and B are subsets of Rd . Prove or disprove each of the following
statements.
(i) If A ⊂ B then int A ⊂ int B.
(ii) If A ⊂ B then ∂A ⊂ ∂B.
(iii) We have ∂(A ∪ B) ⊂ ∂A ∪ ∂B.
(iv) We have ∂(A ∩ B) ⊂ ∂A ∩ ∂B.
(v) If A ⊂ B and ∂B ⊂ A, then A = B.
(vi) If A ⊂ int B and B ⊂ int A then A = B.
(vii) If A ⊂ ∂B and B ⊂ int A then A = B.
(viii) If A ⊂ B and ∂B ⊂ int A then ∂B = ∅.

3.29. Is the boundary of a set E ⊂ Rd always a closed set?

4. Continuity and convergence for sequences of functions in Rd

4.1. Show that the function f : R2 → R is continuous at (0, 0) ∈ R2 , where
f (0, 0) = 0
 
1
f (x, y) = exp 1 − (for x2 + y 2 6= 0)
x + y2
2

Hint: Find limu→0+ exp(1 − 1/u) first.

u2
4.2. Define f : R2 → R by f (u, v) = √ if (u, v) 6= (0, 0) and f (0, 0) = 0.
u2 + v 2
Show that f is continuous at (0, 0). √
Hint: Show that |f (u, v) − f (0, 0)| ≤ u2 + v 2 .

4.3. Given that | sin x| ≤ |x| for x ∈ R, define f : R → R by

√
f (x) = sin2 x (x < 0) ; f (x) = x (x ≥ 0).
Determine a positive δ such that |f (x) − f (0)| < 10−10 for all real x with |x − 0| < δ.
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 11

4.4. Consider the following functions define on R2 .

 2xy
x2 +y 2
, (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(a) f (x, y) =
( 2xy (x, y) = 0;
0,
√ , (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(b) g(x, y) = x2 +y 2

 0, √ (x, y) = 0;
 √x |y|
, (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(c) h(x, y) = x4 +y 2
 0, (x, y) = (0, 0).
For each function above,
(i) determine whether the function is continuous at (0, 0);
(ii) determine whether the function is bounded in R2 .

4.5. Let
exp(−1/(x2 + y 2 ))
f (x, y) =
x2 + y 2
for (x, y) 6= (0, 0), with f (0, 0) = 0. Is f continuous at (0, 0)? Justify your answer.

4.6. Define f : R2 → R2 by
u4 v 3
f (u, v) = (if (u, v) 6= (0, 0)), g(0, 0) = 0.
u8 + v 4
Prove that f is continuous at (0, 0).
Hint: Show that |f (u, v) − f (0, 0)| ≤ |v|.

4.7. Is the following statement true?

Let E be a closed and bounded subset of Rd and let f : E → R be a continuous function such
that for every n ∈ N the set {x ∈ E : 0 < f (x) < 1/n} is non-empty. Then there exists y ∈ E
with f (y) = 0.

4.8. Consider the sequence of functions defined by

xn
fn (x) = , x ∈ R, n∈N
1 + xn
In each case below, find the pointwise limit function of (fn ) in the given interval I and determine
whether (fn ) converges uniformly in I to its pointwise limit function.
(i) I = [0, 1/2], , (ii) I = [0, 1], (iii) I = [2, ∞).

4.9. In each case below find the pointwise limit of the sequence of functions and determine
whether the sequence converges uniformly to its pointwise limit.
nx
(a) fn (x) = , x ∈ [0, 1], n ∈ N;
1 + n +2 x
(b) gn (x) = e−(n−x) , x ∈ R;
1 − (x − n)2 , x ∈ [n − 1, n + 1], n ∈ N;
(c) hn : R → R, hn (x) =
0, x < n − 1, or x > n + 1.
12 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

4.10. Let E ⊂ Rd and let the functions fn : E → R satisfy

1
|fn+1 (x) − fn (x)| ≤ 2
n
for all x ∈ E and n ∈ N. Prove that there exists a function f : E → R such that fn converges
uniformly to f on E. Hint: make a series.

Let gn (x) = xn for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Show using calculus that

1
|gn+1 (x) − gn (x)| ≤
n+1
for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and n ∈ N. Recalling from the notes that the sequence (gn ) does not converge
uniformly on [0, 1], comment on the difference between this example and the fact just proved
about the fn .
4.11. For n ∈ N and x ∈ R set fn (x) = max{1 − n|x|, 0}. Determine f (x) = limn→∞ fn (x)
for each x ∈ R. Is fn continuous? Is f continuous? Is the convergence uniform on R?
∞
X x2n
4.12. Use Weierstrass M -test to show that f (x) = , x ∈ R converges uni-
n=1
2n (1 + x2n )
formly on R. Determine the value of limx→1 f (x).
4.13. Use Weierstrass M -test to show that the following series of functions are convergent in
the given set in R.
∞ ∞
X 1 X 2n cos nx
(a) , x ∈ R; (b) , x ∈ R;
n=1
x2 + n 2 n=1
n!

∞ ∞
X
2 −nx
X nx
(c) (Optinal) xe , x ∈ (0, ∞), (d) (Optinal) , x ∈ R.
n=1 n=1
1 + n 5 x2
Note for (c): for t > 0 you may assume that et ≥ t2 /2.
nx 1
Hint for (d): Prove that for x ∈ R, 5 2
≤ 3/2 .
1+n x n

5. Functions on the real line


e2x , x < 0,
5.1. Find a, b ∈ R such that the function f : R → R defined by f (x) = is
a + bx, x ≥ 0
differentiable at x = 0 and find f 0 (0).
5.2. Suppose a, b ∈ R with a < b and f : [a, b] → R is continuous on [a, b]. Suppose that at
c ∈ [a, b], we have f (c) > 0. prove that there exists δ > 0 such that if |x − c| ≤ δ and x ∈ [a, b],
we have f (x) > f (c)/2.
Hint: use the definition of continuity at c and take ε = f (c)/2 > 0.
5.3. Suppose f : [a, b] → R and g : [a, b] → R are two functions such that f is continuous at
c ∈ (a, b) while g is not continuous at c.
(a) Is the function f (x) + g(x) always discontinuous at c? Justify your answer.
(b) Is f (x)g(x) always discontinuous at c? Justify our answer.
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 13

5.4. Let f be a non-decreasing real-valued function on the interval (a, b) ⊂ R. Show that
lim f (x) = inf{f (x) : a < x < b}.
x→a+

The convention used here is that if the set is not bounded below then the infimum is −∞.
Hint: look at the first theorem of Section 12, which covers the case of limx→b− f (x), and adapt
the arguments used there.
5.5. Give explicit examples of:
an unbounded continuous function f : (0, 1] → R with no maximum on (0, 1];
a bounded continuous function g : (0, 1] → R with no maximum on (0, 1];
a function h : [0, 1] → [0, 1] with no maximum on [0, 1].
5.6. Let f : R → R be given by f (x) = x if x is rational and f (x) = 1 − x if x is irrational.
Show that f is a bijection (i.e. f is injective and surjective). Show that f is continuous at
precisely one point (which?).
Modify f to make a bijection g : R → R which is continuous nowhere.
5.7. Let f : R → R be differentiable at 0, and suppose that f (1/n) = 0 for every n ∈ N. Show
that f 0 (0) = 0.
Give an example of a function f with these properties, but which is not identically 0.
5.8. Can there exist a non-decreasing function f on R such that f (R) = R \ {0}?
5.9. Let f and g be functions from R to R. Using the ε criterion, prove that if f is continuous
at a ∈ R and g is continuous at f (a) then the composition g(f ) is continuous at a.
5.10. Let f : (0, 1) → [0, 1] be defined as follows. If x is irrational, set f (x) = 0. If x is rational
write x = m/n where m and n are positive integers with no common factor greater than 1, and
set f (x) = 1/n. Prove that:
if x ∈ (0, 1) is rational then f is not continuous at x;
if x ∈ (0, 1) is irrational then f is continuous at x.
Hints: the first part is easy; for the second part take ε > 0. How many points are there at which
f (y) ≥ ε?
5.11. The function f : R → R is given by
f (x) = a + e2x (x < 0); f (x) = sin bx (x ≥ 0).
Determine, if possible, values of the constants a and b which make f differentiable on R. Is it
possible to do this so that f 00 (0) exists?
5.12. The function g : R → R is given by
g(x) = a + bx + cx2 (x < 0); g(x) = 1 + ln(1 + x) (x ≥ 0).
Find the values of the constants a, b and c ∈ R such that f 00 (0) exists.
5.13. An athlete runs 10 miles in 50 minutes. Show that there is at least one interval of length
5 minutes in which she runs exactly one mile.
Hint: let s(x) be the distance run in the first x minutes.
5.14. Apply Rolle’s theorem to the function f (x) = xm (1 − x)n for x ∈ [0, 1] with m, n ∈ N
m c
fixed positive integers, to show that there exists c ∈ (0, 1) such that = .
n 1−c
14 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

5.15. (a) Let a, b ∈ R with a < b. Suppose f : [a, b] → R and g : [a, b] → R are both
continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b) such that f (a) = f (b) = 0. Prove that there
exists c ∈ (a, b) such that f 0 (c)g(c) + f (c)g 0 (c) = 0.
You may assume that the function f (x)g(x) is continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b)
without justification.
−x2
(b) Under the same assumptions for f : [a, b] → R in (a) and let g(x) = e 2 for x ∈ [a, b].
Prove that there exists c ∈ (a, b) such that f 0 (c) − cf (c) = 0.

5.16. Show that the function f (x) = 4ax3 + 3bx2 + 2cx − a − b − c for x ∈ [a, b] has at least
one root in (0, 1), that Ris, there exists c ∈ (0, 1) such that f (c) = 0.
Hint: Consider F (x) = f (x) dx and apply Rolle’s theorem to F (x).

5.17. Let P (x) = (x − a1 )(x − a2 ) . . . (x − an ) be a real polynomial with real zeros aj (not
necessarily distinct). By using Rolle’s theorem and calculating a formula for (P 0 /P )0 , show that
between two distinct adjacent zeros of P there is exactly one zero of P 0 .

5.18. Show that the function f (x) = x3 + x − cos x is strictly increasing on R.

Is g(x) = x3 + x − sin x strictly increasing?

5.19. Use the mean value theorem to prove that

x
< ln(1 + x) < x
1+x
for all real x > 0.

5.20. Show that ln(1 + x2 ) ≤ x for all x ≥ 0.

5.21. Show that cos x ≥ 1 − x2 /2 for x ≥ 0.

5.22. Suppose a, b ∈ R with a < b. Use the mean value theorem to prove that
i) | cos(2b) − cos(2a)| ≤ 2|b − a|, ii) | arctan(b) − arctan(a)| ≤ |b − a|.

5.23. Suppose f : R → R is differentiable and satisfies |f 0 (x)| ≤ 1 for every x ∈ R. Show that
(1) |f (x) − f (y)| ≤ |x − y| for all x, y ∈ R.

5.24. Give an example of a function f : R → R which satisfies (1), but having infinitely many
points at which it is not differentiable.

5.25. Let f : [0, 1] → R be defined by


 0, 0 ≤ x < 13 or 32 < x ≤ 1,
f (x) =
1, 31 ≤ x ≤ 23 .

 
1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1
Consider the partition Pn = 0, − , + , − , + , 1 for n ∈ N with n ≥ 10.
3 n 3 n 3 n 3 n
(a) Find L(f, Pn ) and U (f, Pn ) for Rn ∈ N and n ≥ 10.
1
(b) Show that the Riemann integral 0 f (x) dx exists and find its value.
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 15

5.26. Let g be a bounded real-valued function which is Riemann integrable on the closed interval
[a, b]. Let f : R → R satisfy
|f (x) − f (y)| ≤ |x − y|
for all x, y ∈ R. Prove that the composition h = f (g) is Riemann integrable on [a, b].
Hint: with the notation in the notes, show that Mk (h) − mk (h) ≤ Mk (g) − mk (g).

5.27. Suppose that f : [a, b] → [0, M ] (where M < ∞) is a function with the following property:
Rb
for every t > 0 there exist only finitely many x ∈ [a, b] with f (x) ≥ t. Show that a f (x) dx
exists and is 0.

5.28. (Optinal) Suppose fn : [0, 1] → R isR continuous for n ∈ N and fn converges to f :

1
[0, 1] → R uniformly as n → ∞. Prove that 0 f (x) dx exists and
Z 1 Z 1
lim fn (x) dx = f (x) dx.
n→∞ 0 0

You may assume that continuous real-valued functions defined on [a, b] are Riemann integrable,
and other properties listed in Rthe lecture slides
R b for Riemann
R b integrable Rfunctions, e.g.,
b b
if f (x) ≤ g(x) in [a, b], then a f (x) dx ≤ a g(x) dx, | a h(x) dx| ≤ a |h(x)| dx and constant
Rb
functions in the form u(x) = c for x ∈ [a, b] with c ∈ R is integrable with a u(x) dx = c(b − a).

6. Some Revision Questions

6.1. The sequence (xn ) in R3 is given for n ∈ N by
 2 
4n + 5n 1/n
xn = , (1 + n) , n sin(1/n) .
5n2 + 4
Determine whether or not (xn ) converges. If (xn ) converges, determine the limit.

6.2. Consider the following sets in R2 .

A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x2 − y 2 ≤ 1}, B = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x2 + y 2 < 2x},
2 2 2
C = {(x, y) ∈ R : |x|x + |y|y < 1}, D = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x|x| + |y| ≤ 1}
E = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x2 + y 2 6= 1}, F = {(x, 1/x) ∈ R2 : x ∈ (0, ∞)}.
For each of these sets, write down without justification whether or not the set is (i) open;
(ii) closed; (iii) bounded.

6.3. Consider the following sets in R2 .

A = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : 0 < y < x + 1, x > −1}, B = {(r cos θ, r sin θ) ∈ R2 : 0 < r < 1, 0,
√θ < 2π},
2 2 2 2
C = {(x, y) ∈ R : 0 < (x − 1) + y ≤ 1}, D = {(x, y) ∈ R : −1 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 − x2 }
E = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : x2 + y 2 6= 1}, F = {(x, y) ∈ R2 : y > 0, x ≥ y, x < 1}.
For each of these sets, write down without justification the boundary and interior of the set.

6.4. Prove or disprove the following statement: if A and B are disjoint (i.e. A ∩ B = ∅) open
subsets of R2 then ∂(A ∪ B) = ∂A ∪ ∂B (i.e. the boundary of the union is the union of the
boundaries).
16 PRODUCED BY PROF. J.K. LANGLEY AND DR Y. VAN GENNIP, EDITED BY PROF. K. ZHANG

6.5. Consider the following functions define on R2 .

( 3 3
x +y
x2 +|y|
, (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(a) f (x, y) =
0, (x, y) = 0;
( 4 4
x y
(x2 +y 4 )3
, (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(b) g(x, y) =
0, (x, y) = 0;
( 2 2
√ x −y
, (x, y) 6= (0, 0),
(c) h(x, y) = x2 +y 2
0, (x, y) = (0, 0).
For each function above,
(i) determine whether the function is continuous at (0, 0);
(ii) determine whether the function is bounded in R2 .
Hint for (a): Show that |x|3 + |y|3 ≤ (|x| + y 2 )(x2 + |y|) and use the sequential definition of
continuity at (0, 0).

6.6. In each case below find the pointwise limit of the sequence of functions and determine
whether the sequence converges uniformly to its pointwise limit.
(a) fn (x) = xn − xn+1 , x ∈ [0, 1], n ∈ N;

n, x = n;
(b) gn : [0, ∞) → R, n ∈ N, gn (x) =
 0, x ≥ 0, x 6= n.
nx (1 − nx) , x ∈ [0, 1/n];
(c) hn : [0, 1] → R, n ∈ N, hn (x) =
0, 1/n < x ≤ 1.
Hint: For the uniform convergence part of (a) and (c), find the maximum values of the corre-
sponding functions respectively when n ≥ 2.

6.7. Using the Weierstrass M -test, show that the series

∞
X sin(nx)
F (x) =
n=1
4n

converges uniformly on R, and determine limx→π/2 F (x) (your answer should be a series, which
you should be able to sum).

6.8. Define fn : R → R for n ∈ N by

fn (x) = n2 x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1/n), fn (x) = n(2−nx) (1/n ≤ x ≤ 2/n), fn (x) = 0 (otherwise).
Sketch
R2 the graphR of fn and determine f (x) = limn→∞ fn (x) for each x ∈ R. Determine
2
f (x) dx and 0 f (x) dx.
0 n

Does fn converge uniformly on R to f as n → ∞?

6.9. Let a, b ∈ R, and define f : R → R by

f (x) = 2x (x < 1), f (x) = ax + b (x ≥ 1).
Is it possible to choose a and b so that f is differentiable on R?
 G12MAN-MATH2009 PRACTICE QUESTIONS 17

6.10. Let the function f : R → R be defined as f (x) = |x|(1 − cos x).

i) Determine the derivative f 0 (x) for each x 6= 0.
ii) Determine the derivative f 0 (0) by using the definition of the derivative.
iii) Determine whether or not f 00 (0) exists.
6.11. Let f : [0, π/2] → R be continuous in [0, π/2] and differentiable in (0, π/2). Furthermore
we assume that f (π/2) = 0. Prove that there exists c ∈ (a, b) such that
f (c) cos c + f 0 (c) sin c = 0.
Hint: Construct an appropriate g(x) such that g(0) = 0 and use a similar argument as in Question
5.15 (a).
6.12. Let g(x) = sin x − x + x3 /6. Using the mean value theorem, show that g 0 (x) ≥ 0 and
g(x) ≥ 0 for every real x ≥ 0.
You may use Theorem 13.10 in the lecture slides which is a consequence of the mean value
theorem.
6.13. Prove that the following inequalities hold in the given intervals.

2(x − 1)
(a) ex > 1 + x for x > 0; (b) ln x > for x > 1.
x+1
6.14. Define H : [0, 2] → R by H(x) = 0 if 0 ≤ x < 1 and H(x) = 1 if 1 ≤ x ≤ 2. For each
n ∈ N with n ≥ 2, let Pn be the partition of [0, 2] given by
 
1 1
Pn = 0, 1 − , 1 + , 2 .
n n
(a) For each n ∈ N with n ≥ 2, determine the value of each of L(Pn , H) and U (Pn , H).
(b) Determine whether or not H is Riemann integrable on [0, 2].
6.15. Let f : R → R be defined by f (x) = x if 1/x is a positive integer, and f (x) = 0 otherwise.
At which x ∈ R is f (a) continuous (b) differentiable? Is f Riemann integrable on [0, 1]?