MA 341, Fall 2024

Homework # 8
Write you answers by giving thorough and precise explanations and arguments.

1. Let f : R → R be a continuous function with the property that

for any two real numbers a < b, there is a number c ∈ (a, b) such that
f (c) = c + 1. Prove that f (−1) = 0. (10p)

Hint: Show that for any t ∈ R, f (t) = t + 1. For this purpose, given
t ∈ R, one may consider two sequences an = t − 1/n and bn = t + 1/n
and use the hypothesis for each interval (an , bn ).

2. Let g : R → R be a bounded function and define f : R → R by

f (x) = (x2 −x)g(x). Prove or disprove by an example that the function
f is continuous at 0. (10p)

Hint: Review the definition of a bounded function. One may use the
Squeeze Theorem 4.2.7.

3. Let f : R → R a continuous function such that

 
1 n−1
f = , ∀n ∈ N.
n n
Show that there is δ > 0 such that f (x) < 1.001 for all x ∈ (−δ, δ).
(10p)

Hint: Can you first determine f (0) using the sequential character-
ization of continuity? Then, one may use the definition of continuity
again to reach the desired conclusion.

4. Let f : (0, 1) → R be a continuous function. Suppose that

lim f (x) = 1, and that lim f (x) = 3.
x→0 x→1

Show that the function f is bounded on the interval (0, 1). (10p)

Hint: One may use Theorem 4.2.2 and the Boundedness Theorem
5.3.2.
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