Uniform Convergence

Where is it prove that one obtains the derivative of an infinite series by taking
derivative of each term ? - - -Niels Henrik Abel

We have already studied sequences and series of (constant) real numbers. In most problems,
however, it is desirable to approximate functions by more elementary ones that are easier to in-
vestigate. We have already done this on a few occasions. For example, we looked at the uniform
approximation of continuous functions by step, piecewise linear, and polynomial functions. Also,
we proved that each bounded continuous function on a closed bounded interval is a uniform limit
of regulated functions. Now all these approximations involve estimates on the distance between
the given continuous function and the elementary functions that approximate it. This in turn sug-
gests the introduction of sequences (and hence also series) whose terms are functions defined, in
most cases, on the same interval.

1 Sequence and Series of Functions

(i) For a set E ⊂ R, let us denote by F(E; R) the set of all functions from E to R. We are
interested in sequences and series in the sets F(E; R). For each sequence hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N
and each x ∈ E, the numerical sequence hfn (x)i ∈ RN may or may not converge. Let
fn : [0, 1] → R be a function, given by fn (x) = nx ; x ∈ [0, 1], then hfn i is a sequence of
functions on [0, 1].

(ii) Let E ⊂ R and let hun i ∈ F(E; R)N . Then the formal sum
∞
X
u1 + u2 + · · · + un + · · · = un
n=1

is called an infinite series of functions with general term un . For each x ∈ E, we have a
numerical series
∞
X
u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) + · · · = un (x)
n=1

For each n ∈ N, we can then define the partial sum

n
X
sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + uk (x) = uk (x)
k=1

This defines a sequence hsn i ∈ F(E; R)N .

1
2 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

2 Pointwise Convergence
Definition 1. [Pointwise Convergent Sequence of functions ]: For each hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N ; let
E0 ⊂ E be the set of all points x ∈ E such that the numerical sequence hfn (x)i ∈ RN converges
and let

f (x) = lim fn (x); ∀x ∈ E0 (1)

n−→∞

which, in detail, means that, corresponding to an ε > 0, ∃N = N (x; ε) ∈ N, depends on both x

and ε, such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε; whenever n ≥ N (2)

The sequence hfn i is then said to be pointwise convergent (or simply convergent) on E0 and the
function f ∈ F(E0 ; R); defined by (1) is called the pointwise limit (or simply limit) of hfn i on
E0 .
For example, let X = {1, 2, 3} and let fn (k) ≡ n(modk); k = 1, 2, 3 where n(modk) is the
remainder when n is divided by k. Let a = 1, then fn (1) = 0 for n ∈ N and hence fn (1) → 0.
On the other hand hfn (2)i = h1, 0, 1, 0, · · · i and hence the sequence is not convergent. Hence the
sequence hfn i is not pointwise convergent on X.
We now look at a few examples and examine their pointwise convergence. Pay attention to
the graphs of these functions to get an idea of what is going on. As far as possible, we shall
investigate whether the given sequence is pointwise convergent and if so, we shall determine the
limit function.
E XAMPLE 1. (A discontinuous limit of continuous functions) Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in ,
where, fn (x) = xn , for all x ∈ [0; 1] as
y depicted in the Fig. 1. For x ∈ [0, 1).
6
1
We then have lim fn (x) = 0. On
n−→∞
the other hand, lim fn (1) = 1. The
n−→∞
n =n 1= 2 sequence is therefore pointwise conver-
n=5 gent to a function f (x), on [0, 1], where
-
O ! x
(
0; if 0 ≤ x < 1,
f (x) =
Figure 1: fn (x) for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1; if x = 1

Note that each function fn (x) of the sequence is continuous on [0, 1], but the limit function is
not continuous on [0, 1], it has a jump discontinuity at the point x = 1.
 nx n/2
E XAMPLE 2. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = 1 − ; n ≥ 1 for
n+1
all x ∈ (−∞, 1]. We then have lim fn (x) = 0, for 0 < x < 1 and lim fn (x) = ∞, for
n−→∞ n−→∞
x < 0. On the other hand, lim fn (0) = 1. Thus, the sequence hfn (x)in converges pointwise on
n−→∞
E0 = [0, 1] to the limit function f defined by
(
0; if 0 ≤ x ≤ 1,
f (x) =
1; if x = 0

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3 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

E XAMPLE 3. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = xn e−nx ; n ≥ 1 and x ≥ 0, as
y
y6 6 y=n
y = e−n y = fn (x)
y = fn (x) = xn e−nx − n2 − n1 2
O 1 -
e n n x
e
q
y = −n
-
O x
e
(a) 1
e
(b)
Figure 2: (a) fn (x) = xn e−nx (b) fn (x).

depicted in the Fig. 2(a). Now, fn0 (x) = nxn−1 e−nx (1 − x) = 0, gives x = 1 and the maximum
value of fn (x) on [0, ∞) is e−n . Therefore |fn (x)| ≤ e−n , and so lim fn (x) = 0 for all x ≥ 0.
n→∞
The limit function in this case is identically zero on [0, ∞).

E XAMPLE 4. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, for n ≥,

for x < − n2


 0;
2 1
 −n(2 + nx); for − n ≤ x < − n



fn (x) = n2 x; for − n1 ≤ x < n1
for n1 ≤ x < n2




 n(2 − nx);
0; for x ≥ n2


defined on (−∞, ∞), as depicted in the Fig. 2(b). Here lim fn (0) = 0, for all n and lim fn (x) =
n→∞ n→∞
2
0 if n ≥ |x| . Therefore

f (x) = lim fn (x) = 0; −∞ < x < ∞,

n→∞

so, the limit function in this case is identically zero on (−∞, ∞).

E XAMPLE 5. (Uniform limits of differentiable functions need not be differentiable): Consider,

y 6
the sequence hfn (x)in , where
r fn :
f1 (x) 1
R → R defined by fn (x) = x2 + ,
n
f2 (x) n ∈ N, as depicted in the Figure 3,
for all x ∈ R. Here we clearly have
y = |x| lim fn (x) = |x| for all x ∈ R. Thus,
n−→∞
-
O thex sequence is pointwise convergent
on R. We also observe that fn is dif-
Figure 3: Uniform limits of differen-
ferentiable on R for all n ∈ N with
tiable functions need not be differen- 0 x
fn (x) = q .
tiable 2
x +n 1

On the other hand, the limit function f (x) = |x| is not differentiable at x = 0.
sin(n2 x)
E XAMPLE 6. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = for all x ∈ R and
n
n ∈ N.

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

4 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

as depicted in the Figure 6.

Since | sin α| ≤ 1 for all α ∈ y 6
R, we have obvious estimate f1 (x) = sin x
1
|fn (x)| ≤ n1 for any x ∈
R. Here the limit function, f ;
O π-
is the (identically) zero func- −π
 sin(n2 x)  x
tion. Indeed,   ≤
 
n
1
holds for all x ∈ R and
n
n ∈ N and lim n1 = 0.
n−→∞ Figure 4: Graph of fn (x) of Example 6

Therefore, f (x) = f 0 (x) = 0 for all x ∈ R. On the other hand,

cos(n2 x)
fn0 (x) = n2 · = n cos(n2 x)
n
does not converge to 0. In fact, lim fn0 (0) = lim (n) = ∞.
n−→∞ n−→∞

E XAMPLE 7. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = [cos2 (n!πx)], for all x ∈ [0, 1]
where, for each t ∈ R, [t] denotes the greatest integer ≤ t. If x = pq with (relatively prime)
positive integers p and q; then n!x is an integer for all n ≥ q and hence cos2 (n!πx) = 1. On the
other hand, if x ∈ Q, then cos2 (n!πx) ∈ (0, 1). It follows that the (pointwise) limit function, f , is
given by
(
0; if x ∈ Q ∩ [0, 1],
f (x) =
1; if x ∈ [0, 1]/Q

In other words, f is the Dirichlet function which is nowhere continuous on [0, 1]. In particular, f
is not Riemann integrable. On the other hand, each fn has only a finite (in fact n! + 1) number of
discontinuity points and hence is Riemann integrable.
E XAMPLE 8. Consider the functions fn (x) = nx(1 − x2 )n , for all x ∈ [0, 1]. The (pointwise)
limit, f ; is the identically zero function: f (x) = 0; ∀x ∈ [0, 1]. This is obvious for x = 0 and
x = 1, and for x ∈ (0, 1) it follows from the fact that lim nαn = 0, for all α ∈ (0, 1). Now
n−→∞
1
n h x(1 − x2 )n+1 i1
Z
n
fn (x)dx = − =
0 2 n+1 0 2(n + 1)
Z 1
1 R1
It follows that lim fn (x)dx = ; and yet 0 f (x)dx = 0.
n−→∞ 0 2
E XAMPLE 9. For each positive integer n ∈ N, let En be the set of numbers of the form x =
p
q , where p and q are integers with no common factors and 1 ≤ q ≤ n. Define fn (x) =
(
1; x ∈ En
. If x is irrational, then x 6∈ En , for any n, so fn (x) = 0, n ≥ 1. If x is
0; x 6∈ En
rational, then x ∈ En and fn (x) = 1 for all sufficiently large n. Therefore
(
1; x∈Q
f (x) = lim fn (x) =
n→∞ 0; x 6∈ Qc = R/Q

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5 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

E XAMPLE 10. Let ql , q2 , . . . be an enumeration of the rationals Q ∩ [0, 1] in the interval I = [0, 1].
Consider the functions fn [0, 1] → R defined by:
(
1; if x ∈ {ql , q2 , . . . , qn }
fn (x) =
0; otherwise

Then the functions f3 converge pointwise to the f which is equal to 1 on the rationals and 0 on the
irrationals. Each fn is integrable because it is discontinuous
( at only a finite number of points. But
1; if x ∈ {qk : k ∈ N}
the pointwise limit is the Dirichlet function f (x) = This function is
0; otherwise
not integrable on [0, 1].
x2n
E XAMPLE 11. Let hfn i be defined by fn (x) = , x ∈ R and n ∈ N. Therefore the limit
1 + x2n
function is given by

x2n  0; |x| < 1

1
2 ; |x| = 1
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim =
n→∞ n→∞ 1 + x2n 
 1; |x| > 1

Note that each fn (x) is continuous on R but f is not continuous at ±1.

∞
P
Definition 2. [Pointwise Convergent Series of Functions] The series un (x) is said to be point-
n=1
wise convergent (or simply convergent) on E0 ⊂ E with sum s ∈ F(E0 ; R)N if the sequence
hsn i ∈ F(E; R)N of partial sums converges (pointwise) to the function s on E0 . In other words,
if

s(x) = lim sn (x); ∀x ∈ E0

n→∞

∞
un (x), where, for each n ∈ N, un (x) = xn for all x ∈
P
E XAMPLE 12. Consider, the series
n=1
∞
P
(−1, 1) and u0 = 1. Then the series un (x) is (pointwise) convergent on (−1, 1) with sum
n=1

∞ ∞
X X 1
s(x) = un (x) = xn =
1−x
n=1 n=1

x x
E XAMPLE 13. Consider the series + + · · · ; x ≥ 0. Here
x + 1 (x + 1)(2x + 1)
1 1 1
un (x) = − ; Sn (x) = 1 −
(n − 1)x + 1 nx + 1 nx + 1

Thus, when x > 0, lim Sn (x) = 1 and when x = 0, lim Sn (x) = 0 as Sn (0) = 0. Let
n→∞ n→∞
y = Sn (x), then (y − 1)(x + n1 ) = − n1 . The curve y = s(x), when x ≥ 0,
As Sn (x) is certainly continuous, when the terms of the series are continuous, the approxima-
tion curves will always differ very materially from the curve y = s(x), when the sum of the series
is discontinuous.

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6 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

consists of the part of the line y = 1

for which x > 0 and the origin. As Sn (x)
6
n increases, this rectangular hyperbola
(Fig. 5) approaches more and more y=1
closely to the lines y = 1, x = 0. If
we reasoned from the shape of the ap- -
proximate curves, we should expect to O x
find that part of the axis of y for which
0 < y < 1 appearing as a portion of
the curve y = s(x) when x ≥ 0.
Figure 5: Example 13.
nx
In this case, Sn (x) = and
1 + n2 x2
Sn (x)6 lim Sn (x) = 0 for all values of x.
n→∞
0.5 The sum function s(x) of the series is
continuous for all values of x, but we
n=5 shall see that the approximation curves
n = 10 differ very materilly from the curve
y = s(x) in the neighbourhood of the
x
- origin. The curve y = Sn (x) has a
O maximum
Figure 6: Example 14.
∞
X nx (n − 1)x
E XAMPLE 14. Consider the series un (x), where, un (x) = 2 2
− .
1+n x 1 + (n − 1)2 x2
n=1
at ( n1 , 12 ) and the minimum at (− n1 , − 12 ) as depicted in the Fig. 6. The points on the axis of
x just below the maximum and minimum move in towards the origin as n increases. And if we
reasoned from the shape of the curves y = Sn (x), we should expect to find the part of the axis of
y from − 21 to 21 appearing as a portion of the curve y = s(x).
∞
X
E XAMPLE 15. Find the sum function of (cos x)n on (0, π).
n=1
∞
P
Solution: Let hSn (x)i be the sequence of partial sums of the series un (x), where, un (x) =
n=1
(cos x)n . Thus
cos x  
Sn (x) = cos x + cos2 x + · · · + cosn x = 1 − cosn x
cos x  1 − coscos
x
x
n
∴ lim Sn (x) = lim 1 − cos x = ; as | cos x| < 1 for 0 < x < π
n→∞ n→∞ 1 − cos x 1 − cos x
cos x
Therefore, the sum function is given by S(x) = lim Sn (x) = 1−cos x ; for 0 < x < π.
n→∞

3 Uniform Convergence
The pointwise limit of a sequence of functions may differ radically from the functions in the
sequence.

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

7 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

(i) In Examples 1 and 2, each fn is continuous on (−∞, 1], but the limit function f is not
continuous.

(ii) In Example 4, the graph of each fn has two triangular spikes with heights that tend to ∞ as
n → ∞, while the graph of f (x) (the x-axis) has none.

(iii) In Examples 5 and 6, each fn is differentiable at x0 , while the limit function f is not differ-
entiable at x0 or even if f 0 (x0 ) exists, the hfn0 (x0 )i exists need not converge to f 0 (x0 ).

(iv) In Examples 8 and 9, each fn is integrable, while the limit function f is non integrable in
any compact interval.

There is nothing in Definitions 1 and 2 to preclude these apparent anomalies.

Definition 3. [Uniformly Convergent Sequence of functions ]: Let E ⊂ R. We say that a sequence

hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E to a function f : E0 → R if, corresponding to
an ε > 0, ∃N = N (ε) ∈ N, depends on ε only, such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε; whenever n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0 (3)

We interpret the uniform convergence in a geometric way. Draw the graphs of fn and f .

Put a band of width ε around y 6

the graph of f . Condition (3) f (x) + ε
states that if ε is any posi-
V
tive number, then for n > N
]
the graph of y = fn (x) lies
entirely below the graph of 
f (x) + ε and entirely above f (x)
fn (x)
the graph of f (x) − ε as de- f (x) − ε -
a b x
picted on the Fig. 7. Thus O
draw a tube V of vertical ra-
Figure 7: Geometrical significance of uniform
dius ε around the graph f .
convergence.
For n large, the graph of fn is contained in the ε-tube V around the graph of f . Notice that the
special feature of uniform convergence is that the rate at which fn (x) converges is independent of
x ∈ E. For example,

E XAMPLE 16. Consider, the sequence hfq

n (x)in as in Example 1). The sequence hfn (x)in
1
Indeed, if for ε = 10 , the point xn = n 12 is send by fn to 12 and thus not all points x satisfying
Eq. nm (3), when n is large. The graph of fn , as depicted in the figure 8, fails to lie in the ε-tube
V . Here, fn (x) is converging very rapidly to zero for x near zero but arbitrarily slowly to zero for
x near 1.

E XAMPLE 17. Prove that for the sequence hfn i, fn → f pointwise on a finite set E(⊂ R) the
convergence is uniform.

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8 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

r 1)
(1, of functions, where, fn : (0, 1) → R is
y 6
given by fn (x) = xn for all x ∈ [0, 1],
as depicted in the Figure 1. For each
f1 f2
x=0 x ∈ (0, 1) it is clear that fn (x) → 0.
x=1 The (pointwise) limit function, f , is
- (
O V x 0; if 0 ≤ x < 1,
f (x) =
1; if x = 1
Figure 8: Non uniform, pointwise con-
Here the convergence is not uniform.
vergence.

Solution: Let E = {x1 , x2 , · · · , xn } be a finite set in R. Since the sequence hfn i converges
pointwise to f , so ∀ε > 0, ∃Nk = Nk (xk ; ε) such that
|fn (xk ) − f (xk )| < ε; ∀n ≥ Nk ; k = 1(1)n.
Let for a pre-assigned ε > 0, max Nk (xk ; ε) = N (ε). Therefore,
xk ∈E

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε; ∀n ≥ N (ε) and ∀x ∈ E

As N (ε) depends on ε and not on x, hfn i converges uniformly to f on E.
x
E XAMPLE 18. Let fn (x) = for x ∈ R as depicted in the Fig.. The sequence hfn (0)i is a
n
constant sequence h0i. Hence the limit function is f = 0. More generally, if a ∈ R, we get h na i as
the pointwise sequence.

where, fn (x) = xn , for all x ∈ [0; 1] as

depicted in the Fig. 9. For x ∈ [0, 1).
y
6 We then have lim fn (x) = 0. On the
1 n−→∞
other hand, lim fn (1) = 1. The se-
n−→∞
quence is therefore point wise conver-
n =n 1= 2
gent on [0, 1]. We note, however, that
n=5 the limit function
-
O ! x
(
0; if 0 ≤ x < 1,
f (x) =
Figure 9: fn (x) for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1; if x = 1

ln(1 + n2 x2 )
E XAMPLE 19. Show that hfn0 (x)i is uniformly convergent on [0, 1], where fn (x) =
n
for x ∈ [0, 1].
Solution: Consider the sequence of functions hfn i , defined by fn : [0, 1] → R, where, fn (x) =
log(1 + n2 x2 )
; x ∈ [−k, k], k > 0, as in the Fig. 10(a). Then hfn i converges uniformly to
n
2nx
f (x) = 0 on [0, 1]. Now, fn0 (x) = , for x ∈ [0, 1], as depicted in the Fig. 10(b). Clearly,
1 + n2 x2
fn (0) → 0, as fn (0) = 0 for all n ≥ 1. Let x 6= 0. For a given ε > 0, we see that
 2nx  2
|fn0 (x) − 0| =  ≤ <ε
 
1+n x 2 2 n|x|

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9 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

y 6
f2
6 f20 f10
1

f1 f30
j
f50
x
- x
-
O 1 O (b) 1
(a)
Figure 10: Figures of fn and fn0

2 2
whenever n > . Let us take N = [ ] + 1 ∈ N, then
ε|x| ε|x|

|fn0 (x) − 0| < ε for all n ≥ N

Therefore, hfn0 (x)i converges everywhere to the function f 0 (x) = 0 (Fig. 10(b)). Observe that N
depends on both x and ε. Let
2x
Mn = sup |fn0 (x) − f 0 (x)| = sup 2 2
= sup g(x).
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] 1 + n x x∈[0,1]

2(1−n2 x2 )
Then g 0 (x) = (1+n2 x2 )2
, and g 0 (x) = 0 implies x = 1
n ∈ [0, 1]. Thus

2x 1 1
Mn = sup |fn0 (x) − f 0 (x)| = sup 2 2
= fn0 ( ) = .
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] 1 + n x n n

Hence, Mn → 0 as n → ∞, and consequently hfn0 i is uniformly convergent on [0, 1].

∞
P
Definition 4. [Uniformly Convergent Series of Functions ]: The series un (x) is said to be
n=1
uniformly convergent on E0 if the sequence hsn i of partial sums is uniformly convergent on E0 ,
i.e., corresponding to a  > 0, ∃ N () ∈ N such that
 
sn (x) − s(x) < , whenever n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0 (4)
∞
where sn (x) is the nth partial sum of the series
P
un (x).
n=1

T HEOREM 1. If hfn i converges uniformly to f on E, the hfn i converges pointwise to f on E. The

converse is not always true, i.e., pointwise convergence does not imply uniform convergence .

Proof:

R ESULT 1. John Kelley refers to the growing steeple: Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in ,
So there is no question of uniform convergence. Even if the function have compact domain of
definition, and are uniformly bounded and uniformly continuous, pointwise convergence does not
imply uniform convergence.

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

10 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

where, fn : [0, 1] → R defined as, for n ≥ 1,

1 y 6f4


 n2 x; for 0 ≤ x ≤


 n
1 2

fn (x) = 2n − n2 x; for ≤ x ≤

 n n
2


0; for ≤ x ≤ 1


n
defined on (−∞, ∞), as depicted in the Fig. 11.
Here lim fn (x) = 0, for all x and fn converges f1
n→∞
pointwise to the function f = 0. The graph of O V x
-

fn , as depicted in the figure 11, fails to lie in the

Figure 11: Graphical representation of
ε-tube V .
fn (x)

3.1 Test for Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 2 (Weiestrass Mn test). A sequence hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N , where E ⊂ R; converges
uniformly on E0 ⊂ E if and only if, corresponding to an ε > 0, ∃N = N (ε) ∈ N, depends on ε
only, such that
n o
Mn = sup |fn (x) − f (x)| : x ∈ E0 < ε; whenever n ≥ N

Proof: Necessary part : Let hfn (x)in converges to f (x) uniformly on E0 . Then corresponding
to an  > 0, ∃N ∈ N such that
 
fn (x) − f (x) < , for n ≥ N, ∀x ∈ E0
n o
⇒ Mn = sup |fn (x) − f (x)| : x ∈ E0 < ε, for n ≥ N
⇒ Mn → 0 as n → ∞.

Sufficient part : Let Mn → 0 as n → ∞, so corresponding to an  > 0, ∃N1 ∈ N such that

 
Mn − 0 < , for n ≥ N1 ⇒ Mn < , for n ≥ N1
n o
⇒ sup |fn (x) − f (x)| : x ∈ E0 < ε, for n ≥ N1
 
⇒ fn (x) − f (x) <  for n ≥ N1 ; ∀x ∈ E0

Therefore, fn (x) → f (x) uniformly on E0 . 2

x
E XAMPLE 20. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = ; x ∈ [a, b]. For any
1 + nx2
x ∈ [a, b],
x
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim =0
n−→∞ n−→∞ 1 + nx2
Therefore, hfn (x)in converges pointwise to zero on [a, b]. Now,

fn (x) − f (x) =  x x
   
− 0= = g(x)(say).

1 + nx 2 1 + nx2

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11 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

For, x > 0, using A.M. ≥ G.M., we have

1
r
x + nx 1 x 1
≥ nx ⇒ 2
≤ √
2 x 1 + nx 2 n
1 √1
Therefore, fn (x) = √
2 n
, when x = n
∈ [a, b]. Thus,
n x  o 1
Mn = sup  − 0 : x ∈ [0, ∞) = √ → 0 as n → ∞
 
1 + nx2 2 n


Therefore hfn (x)i is uniformly convergent on [a, b].

E XAMPLE 21. Consider, the sequence ( hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = xn for all x ∈ [0, 1]. The
0; if 0 ≤ x < 1,
(pointwise) limit function, f , is f (x) = Now
1; if x = 1
n o
lim Mn = lim sup |xn − f (x)| : x ∈ [0, 1] = lim 1 = 1 6= 0
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞

Therefore, the convergence is not uniform.

E XAMPLE 22. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where fn : R → R

r y 6
2
1
defined by fn (x) = x + ,
n f1 (x)
n ∈ N, as depicted in the Figure
12, for all x ∈ R. Here we clearly f2 (x)
have lim fn (x) = |x| for all x = −1 x=1
n−→∞
y = |x|
x ∈ R. So, the sequence hfn (x)in -
has pointwise limit f (x) = |x|, O x
for all x ∈ R. Now
Figure 12: Graph of fn as in example 22

nr 1  o n 1/n o 1/n
Mn = sup  x2 + − |x| : x ∈ R = sup q :x∈R = √
 
n x2 + n1 + |x| 1/ n
nr 1  o 1
∴ lim Mn = lim sup  x2 + − |x| : x ∈ R = lim √ = 0
 
n→∞ n→∞ n n→∞ n
Thus the convergence is uniform. We draw an ε-band around the limit function. Indeed, the graph
of fn , as depicted in the figure 12, lie in the ε-tube V . This also ensures geometrically that the
convergence is uniform.
sin(n2 x)
E XAMPLE 23. The sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = for all x ∈ R and n ∈ N has
 sin(n2 x)  n
 1
pointwise limit f (x) = 0, for all x ∈ R. Since   ≤ , for all x ∈ R and n ∈ N, so

n n
n sin(n2 x)  o 1
lim Mn = lim sup  − 0 : x ∈ R = lim =0
 
n→∞ n→∞ n n→∞ n

Thus the convergence is uniform.

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12 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

x
E XAMPLE 24. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = for all x ∈ [0, 1]. For a
nx + 1
given x ∈ [0, 1],
x
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim =0
n−→∞ n−→∞ nx + 1
Therefore hfn (x)i converges pointwise to zero on [0, 1]. Now,
fn (x) − f (x) =  x − 0 = x
   
= g(x)(say).
nx + 1 nx + 1
Then, g 0 (x) = (nx+1)
1
2 > 0, ∀x ∈ [0, 1], so, g(x) is strictly increasing function on [0, 1]. Thus

g(x) attains its maximum value at x = 1. Therefore,

  x 1
Mn = sup fn (x) − f (x) = sup =
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] nx + 1 n+1

Now , Mn → 0 as n → ∞. Therefore hfn (x)i converges uniformly to 0 on [0, 1].

nx
E XAMPLE 25. Consider, the sequence of functions hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = for all
1 + n2 x2
y
6
1 n=1
n=2
n=3
n=4
n=5

-
) 1 x
Figure 13: fn (x) for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
x ∈ [a, b], containing 0. The graphs of fn for n = 1, 2, 3, 4 are shown in the Fig. 13. For any
x ∈ [a, b] containing zero,
nx
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim =0
n−→∞ n−→∞ 1 + n2 x2

Therefore, hfn (x)in is converges pointwise to zero on [a, b]. Now,

fn (x) − f (x) =  nx nx
   
− 0= = g(x)(say).

2
1+n x 2 1 + n2 x2
n(1 − n2 x2 )
Then, g 0 (x) = . Thus g 0 (x) = 0 ⇒ x = ± n1 . Also
(1 + n2 x2 )2
h (1 + n2 x2 )2 · (−2n2 x) + 2(1 − n2 x2 ) · 2(1 + n2 x2 ) i
g 00 (x) = n
(1 + n2 x2 )4
00
 3 − n2 x2 n2
or, g (x) = −2n3 x · | 1 = − <0

x=
1
x= n (1 + n2 x2 )4 n 4
Thus g(x) attains its maximum value at x = 1/n. Therefore,
n nx  o 1
Mn = sup  − 0 : x ∈ [a, b] =
 
1 + n2 x2 2


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13 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Now , Mn 9 0 as n → ∞. Therefore hfn (x)i is not uniformly convergent on any interval

containing 0. Also, The graph of fn , as depicted in the figure 13, fails to lie in the ε-tube V , about
f = 0, so that non uniform convergence is verified.
2
E XAMPLE 26. Consider, the sequence hfn (x)in , where, fn (x) = fn (x) = nxe−nx , x ∈ [0, ∞).
For any x ∈ [0, ∞),
nx x
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim nx2 = lim 2 nx2 = 0
n−→∞ n−→∞ e n−→∞ x e

Therefore, hfn (x)in is converges pointwise to zero on [0, ∞). Now,

fn (x) − f (x) =  nx2 − 0 = nx2 = g(x)(say).

   
enx enx
n − 2n2 x2 1
Then, g 0 (x) = nx2 . Thus g 0 (x) = 0 ⇒ n − 2n2 x2 = 0 ⇒ x = ± √ . Also
e 2n
 h (2nx2 − 3) i
g 00 (x) = 2n2 x <0

x= √1
2n
enx2 x= √1
2n

Thus g(x) attains its maximum value at x = √1 . Therefore,

2n

n nx  o rn
Mn = sup  nx2 − 0 : x ∈ [0, ∞) =
 
e 2e
Now , Mn 9 0 as n → ∞. Therefore hfn (x)i is not uniformly convergent on [0, ∞).

E XAMPLE 27. Thus for the sequence hfn i, fn → f pointwise on a point set E ⊂ R, the conver-
gence is uniform.
√
E XAMPLE 28. Verify that the sequence hfn i, where fn (x) = n sin 4π 2 n2 + x2 converges uni-
formly on [0, k], k > 0. Does hfn i converge uniformly on R?
√
Solution: The function sin 4π 2 n2 + x2 can be written as
r
p
2 2 2
 x2 
sin 4π n + x = sin 2nπ 1 + 2 2 + 2nπ − 2nπ
r 4π n
 x2 
= sin 2nπ 1+ 2 2 −1
4π n
p  x2
= sin 4π 2 n2 + x2 − 2nπ = sin √
4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ
Therefore, the limit function f is given by

x2
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim n · sin √
n→∞ n→∞ 4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ
h x 2 1 x2 3 i
= lim n √ − √ + ···
n→∞ 4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ 3! 4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ
h x2 1  x2 3 i x2
= lim q − q + ··· =
4π 2 + x + 2π 3!n 4π
n→∞ 2 2
n2
4π 2 + x + 2π n2

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14 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

α3
Now, using the fact that sin α ≥ α − , we get for x ∈ [0, k],
3!
 x2 p   x2 x2 
− n sin 4π 2 n2 + x2  =  − n sin √
   
4π 4π
 
4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ
 x2 x2 1 x2 3 
≤ −√ + √
 
4π 4π n + x + 2nπ 3!
2 2 2 2 2 2

4π n + x + 2nπ
k2  2  n k5
≤ 1− q + 3π3
= Mn (say)
4π 1+ 1+ k2 3! 8n
4π 2 n2

Now, Mn → 0 as n → ∞, so the given sequence of functions is uniformly convergent on [0, k].

For x ∈ R, by the inequality | sin x| ≤ |x|, we obtain
 x2 p   x2 x2 
− n sin 4π 2 n2 + x2  =  − n sin √
   
4π 4π
 
4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ
 x2 x2  x2  2 
≥ −√ ≥ 1− ,
 
q
4π 4π

4π 2 n2 + x2 + 2nπ 1+ 1+ x
2
4π 2 n2

which shows that the convergence cannot be uniform on R.

∞
X
T HEOREM 3 (Weierstrass Mn test for the series of functions). The series un (x) defined on I
n=1
is uniformly convergent on I if ∃ a sequence of positive constants {Mn } such that
 
a) un (x) ≤ Mn , ∀n b) ΣMn is convergent

Proof: Let Sn is the nth partial sum of the series un (x). Then
P

n
X
Sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) = ur (x).
r=1
P
Let  > 0 be chosen arbitrary,since Mn is convergent by Cauchy’s criteria, ∃N0 () ∈ N such
that
 
Pn − Pm  < , for n > m > N0 ,

where, Pn = nth partial sum of

P
Mn . Therefore,

Mm+1 + Mm+2 + · · · + Mn < , for n > m > N0

Therefore, if n > m > N0 we obtain

  Xn m
X   X n 
Sn (x) − Sm (x) =  ur (x) − ur (x) =  ur (x)
     
r=1 r=1 r=m+1
Xn   n
X
≤ ur (x) ≤ Mr < , for n > m > N0 , ∀x ∈ I
 
r=m+1 r=m+1

Therefore ,Σun (x) converges uniformly on I.

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15 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
X sin nx
E XAMPLE 29. Consider the series of functions on x ∈ (−∞, ∞). Here
n2
n=1

sin nx   1
un (x) = ⇒ u (x) ≤ 2 = Mn , ∀x ∈ (−∞, ∞)
 
2 n
n n

X X 1
Now, Mn = is a hyperhermonic series with p = 2 > 1, so convergent. Therefore, by
n2
Weierstrass Mn test, the given series of functions is uniformly convergent on (−∞, ∞).
∞
X x
E XAMPLE 30. Consider the series of functions ; x ∈ [a, b].
n(1 + nx2 )
n=1

x  x  1
un (x) = ⇒ < 2
 
2
n(1 + nx )
 2
n(1 + nx ) n
P P 1
Now, Mn = is a hyper hermonic series with p = 2 > 1,so convergent. Then by Mn test
n2
∞
X x
the given series of functions is uniformly convergent on [a, b].
n(1 + nx2 )
n=1
∞
X sin nx
E XAMPLE 31. Consider the series of functions , p > 1, x ∈ R. Now
np
n=1
 sin nx  1
 p  ≤ p ; ∀x ∈ R
 
n n
∞
X 1
The series is a Hyper-harmonic p-series with p > 1 and hence convergent. Therefore, by
np
n=1
Weierstrass M -test the given series of functions is uniformly convergent for all x ∈ R.
∞
X sin(nx2 + x2 )
E XAMPLE 32. Consider the series of functions , x ∈ R. Now
n(n + 1)
n=1
 sin(nx2 + x2 )  1 1
≤ < 2 ; ∀x ∈ R
 
n(n + 1) n(n + 1) n


∞
X 1
The series is a Hyper-harmonic p-series with p = 2 > 1 and hence convergent. Therefore,
n2
n=1
by Weierstrass M -test the given series of functions is uniformly convergent for all x ∈ R.
x
E XAMPLE 33. Test the covergence for Σ p on any finite interval [a, b].
n + x2 nq
Solution: First let p > 1, q ≥ 0. Let α ≥ max{|a|, |b|}, then
   x  α
un (x) =  p  ≤ p = Mn (say)
   
n + x2 nq n
X X α
Now, Mn = is a hyper harmonic series with p > 2, so convergent. By Mn test
np
X x
is uniformly convergent on [a, b].
np + x2 nq
1
 
Case -II: Let 0 < p ≤ 1 and p + q ≥ 2. Then un (x) attains its maximum value 2n(p+q)/2 at the
2 q p
P
point where x n = n . Now , Mn is a hyper hermonic series converges as p + q ≥ 2.
Hence by Mn test the given series uniformly convergent.

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

16 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

X
E XAMPLE 34. Prove or disprove: 2−n cos(3n x) represents an everywhere continuous func-
n
tion.
−n cos(3n x) where un (x) = 2−n cos(3n x); n ∈ N and
P P
Solution: Let s(x) = n2 = n un (x),
x ∈ R. Thus
1
|un (x)| = |2−n cos(3n x)| ≤ n = Mn , say, ∀n ∈ N
2
P P 1 P
Now Mn = 2n = 1. So the series Mn is convergent. Hence, by Weierstrass M -test, the
given series is uniformly convergent on R. Again, un (x) = 2−n cos(3n x) is continuous ∀x ∈ R
and ∀n ∈ N. So the sum function f is everywhere continuous on R.
P
E XAMPLE 35. Consider the series un (x) for which the sum to first n-terms is Sn (x) =
ln(1 + n4 x2 )
; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Here
2n2
S(x) = lim Sn (x) = 0; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
n→∞
∴ S 0 (x) = 0; ∀x ∈ [0, 1]
Again,
P 0
Thus we see that un (x) does not converge uniformly on [0, 1] but the series may be differ-
entiated term-by-term.


 0; if x ≤ 0
1


nx ;2 if 0 < x ≤
E XAMPLE 36. Define a function f (x) = 2n The sequence of func-


 x− 1 1
; if <x<∞

4n 2n (
0; if x ≤ 0
tions hfn i converge uniformly on the entire real line R to the function f , where, f (x) =
x; if x > 0
Notice that each of the functions fn is continuously differentiable on the entire real line, but f is
not differentiable at 0.
T HEOREM 4 (Cauchy’s criteria for Uniform Convergence). Let E ⊂ R and hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N .
Then hfn in converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E if and only if, corresponding to an ε > 0, ∃N =
N (ε) ∈ N, depends on ε only, such that
 
fm (x) − fn (x) < ε; whenever m, n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0
 

Proof: Necessary part : Let hfn (x)in converges uniformly on E0 to a limit function f (x). Then
corresponding to an  > 0, ∃ positive integers N1 , N2 ∈ N independent of x such that
  
fn (x) − f (x) < , for n ≥ N1 and ∀x ∈ E0
 
  2
fm (x) − f (x) < , for m ≥ N2 and ∀x ∈ E0
 
2
Let N = max{N1 , N2 } ∈ N, then ∀x ∈ E0 we have
   
fm (x) − fn (x) = fm (x) − f (x) + f (x) − fn (x)
   
   
≤ fm (x) − f (x) + fn (x) − f (x)
   
 
< + = , for n ≥ N.
2 2

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

17 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Therefore, the condition holds.

Sufficient part : Conversely, if the condition of the theorem is satisfied, then, for each x ∈ E0 ,
the numerical sequence hfn (x)in is a Cauchy sequence in R and hence converges. Let

f (x) = lim fn (x); ∀x ∈ E0 .

n→∞

For a given  > 0, we can find N ∈ N such that

 
fm (x) − fn (x) < ε; whenever m, n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0
 

For fixed n, let m → ∞ in the above equation, we find that

 
f (x) − f (x)  < ε; whenever n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0
 
 n

Since ε > 0 was arbitrary, it follows that, sequence of functions hfn (x)in converges to f uniformly
on E0 , as desired.

Deduction 3.1. nA sequence hfn i ∈ F(E; R)o , where E ⊂ R; converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E if

N

and only if sup |fm (x) − fn (x)| : x ∈ E0 → 0 as m, n → ∞.

E XAMPLE 37. Determine whether the sequence hfn i of functions converges uniformly on E:
x2 √
a) fn (x) = ; E = [0, 1] b) fn (x) = n + 1 sinn x cos x; E = R
x2 + (nx − 1)2
p
c) fn (x) = n 2n + |x|n ; E = R

Solution: a) The limit function f is given by

x2
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ x2 + (nx − 1)2

2x(nx−1)3
Now, fn0 (x) = [x2 +(nx−1)2 ]2
, so, fn0 (x) = 0 gives x = n1 . Thus

 x2  1
Mn = sup  − 0 = f = 1.
 
n
x2 + (nx − 1)2 n

x∈[0,1]

As Mn 6→ 0 as n → ∞, hence by Weierstrass Mn -test the given sequence of functions is not

uniformly convergent on E.
b) The limit function f is given by
√
f (x) = lim fn (x) = cos x lim n + 1 sinn x = 0.
n→∞ n→∞

Here, we use Weierstrass Mn -test. For that

√  √  
n  n
Mn = sup  n + 1 sin x cos x = n + 1 sup  sin x cos x
  
x∈R x∈R

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

18 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Now we calculate supreme value of g(x) = sinn x cos x, Now, log g(x) = n log(sin x) +
log(cos x), thus the supreme value of g is given by the equation tan2 x = n. Thus,
√   √  n n/2 1
Mn = n + 1 sup  sinn x cos x = n + 1 · ·√
 
x∈R n+1 n+1
 n n/2 1
= → √ 6→ 0 as n → ∞
n+1 e
Hence by Weierstrass Mn -test the given sequence of functions is not uniformly convergent on E.
c) The limit function f is given by
r (
 |x| n 2; |x| ≤ 2
n
p
n
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim 2n + |x|n = lim 2 1 + =
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ 2 |x|; |x| > 2
We see that, all fn ’s as well as the limit function is continuous, which implies that convergence is
uniform.
E XAMPLE 38. Determine whether the sequence hfn i of functions converges uniformly on E:
1
a) fn (x) = ; E = [0, 1] b) fn (x) = nxn (1 − x); E = [0, 1]
1 + (nx − 1)2
 2x 
c) fn (x) = tan−1 2 ;E = R
x + n3
Solution: a) The limit function f is given by
(
1
1 2; x=0
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim =
n→∞ n→∞ 1 + (nx − 1)2 0; x ∈ (0, 1]
We see that, all fn ’s are continuous on E, while the limit function is not continuous, which implies
that convergence is not uniform.
b) Since xn (1 − x) → 0 as n → ∞, so, the limit function f is given by
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim nxn (1 − x) = 0.
n→∞ n→∞

Now, fn0 (x) = nxn−1 [n − (n + 1)x], so, fn0 (x) n

= 0 gives x = n+1 . Thus
 n  nn
Mn = sup |nxn (1 − x) − 0| = fn =
x∈[0,1] n+1 (n + 1)n+1
1 1 1
∴ lim Mn = lim · n+1 = ·0=0
n→∞ n→∞ n 1 e
1+ n

Hence by Weierstrass Mn -test the given sequence of functions is uniformly convergent on E.

c) The limit function f is given by
 2x 
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim tan−1 2 =0
n→∞ n→∞ x + n3
3 −2x2 √
Now, fn0 (x) = 4x22n
+(x2 +n3 )2
, so, fn0 (x) = 0 gives x = n n. Thus
  2x    √   1 
Mn = sup  tan−1 2 − 0 = f n n = tan−1
√
 
n
x + n3 n n

x∈R

Therefore, Mn → 0 as n → ∞, so by Weierstrass Mn -test the given sequence of functions is

uniformly convergent on E to 0.

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

19 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
P
E XAMPLE 39. Determine whether the series un (x) of functions converges uniformly on E:
n=1

π   1
a) un (x) = −tan−1 n2 (1+x2 ) ; E = R b) un (x) = 2n sin n ; E = (0, ∞)
2 3 x
 x2 
c) un (x) = ln 1+ ; E = (−k, k), k >
n · ln2 n
0

Solution: a) We know, tan−1 x + cot−1 x = tan−1 x + tan−1 1

x = π2 . Using that identity, we get
π   1
un (x) = − tan−1 n2 (1 + x2 ) = tan−1 2
2 n (1 + x2 )
1 1
< 2 2
≤ 2 = Mn ( say); ∀x ∈ R.
n (1 + x ) n
∞ ∞
P P 1
Now, Mn = n2
is a hyperharmonic series with p = 2(> 1), so convergent. Therefore, by
n=1 n=1
Weierstrass Mn -test the given series of functions is uniformly convergent on R.
b) For the problem, we use Cauchy criterion for uniform convergence. Let Sn (x) be the nth
partial sum of the series, then it is given by
1 1 1
Sn (x) = 2 sin + 22 sin 2 + · · · + 2n sin n
3x 3 x 3 x
1
If 0 < 3n x ≤ π2 , then
1 1
|Sn+m (x) − Sn (x)| = 2n+1 sin + · · · + 2m+n sin m+n
3n+1 x 3 x
2 1 2 1
≥ 2n+1 + · · · + 2m+n
π 3n+1 x π 3m+n x
2 1
≥ 2n+1
π 3n+1 x
1
Putting, x = 3n , we obtain
 1  1  2n+2 23
Sm+n n − Sn n  ≥ ≥
 
3 3 3π 3π
Thus by Cauchy criteria, the series of functions does not converge uniformly on E.
c) Here, we use the Weierstrass Mn -test. Now
 x2  x2 x4
un (x) = ln 1 + = 1 + + + ···
n · ln2 n n · ln2 n n2 · ln4 n
x2 k2
≤ < = Mn
n · ln2 n n · ln2 n
∞ ∞
P P k2
By Cauchy’s condensation test the series Mn = n·ln2 n
is convergent. Therefore, the given
n=1 n=1
series of functions is uniformly convergent on E.
∞
P
E XAMPLE 40. Determine whether the series un (x) of functions converges uniformly on E:
n=1

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

20 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

xn sin(nx)
a) un (x) = ;E = R b) un (x) = √ ; E = [0, 2π]
n! n
cos2 (nx)
c) un (x) = ;E = R
n2
Solution: a) Let Sn (x) be the nth partial sum of the series. Then, for any n ≥ 1, we have
nn
sup |Sn (x) − Sn−1 (x)| = sup |fn (x)| ≥ |fn (n)| = ≥1
x∈R x∈R n!

Thus by Cauchy criteria, the series of functions does not converge uniformly on E.
2x
b) First note that we do have pointwise convergence. Next notice that ≤ sin x for any
√ π
x ∈ [0, π4 ]. Let n ≥ 10 and h ∈ N such that 2n ≤ n + h < n n π4 . Thus for any k ∈ N with
k π
n ≤ k < n + h, we have √ < . Hence
n n 4

 k  2 k n+h
X 1  k  n+hX 1 2 k
sin √ ≥ √ ⇒ √ sin √ ≥ √ √
n n π n n k n n kπ n n
k=n k=n
√
n+h
X 1  k  n+h
X2 k X 2 √n
n+h
2
or, √ sin √ ≥ √ ≥ √ ≥
k n n π n n π n n π
k=n k=n k=n

 n+h
X 1
 k  2
This obviously show that sup  √ sin √  ≥ for any n ≥ 0 and h ∈ N such that

x∈[0,2π] k=n k n n π
√ π
2n ≤ n + h < n n 4 . Therefore, the convergence will not be uniform on [0, 2π].
c) Here, we use the Weierstrass Mn -test. Now
   cos2 (nx)  1
sup fn (x) − 0 = sup   ≤ 2 = Mn ( say); ∀x ∈ R.
   
n 2 n
x∈R x∈R

∞ ∞
P P 1
Now, Mn = n2
is a hyperharmonic series with p = 2(> 1), so convergent. Therefore, by
n=1 n=1
Weierstrass Mn -test the given series of functions is uniformly convergent on R.

T HEOREM 5. [Dini’s Theorem of uniform convergence of a sequence ] Let I ⊂ R be a compact

interval and suppose that hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N is a sequence of continuous functions converging
pointwise to a continuous function f : I → R. If hfn i is increasing (i.e., fn (x) ≤ fn+1 (x) for
all x ∈ I and n ∈ N) or decreasing (i.e., fn (x) ≥ fn+1 (x) for all x ∈ I and n ∈ N), then hfn i
converges to f uniformly on I.

Proof: The uniform convergence of hfn i to f is equivalent to the uniform convergence of (f −fn )
(or fn − f ) to 0. Let gn = f − fn (resp. gn = fn − f ) if hfn i is increasing (resp., decreasing).
Then hgn i is a decreasing sequence of continuous nonnegative functions converging pointwise to
0 on I. The theorem is proved if we show that this convergence is in fact uniform on I. Let ε > 0
ε
be given. For each x ∈ I lim gn (x) = 0 implies that we can pick N (x) ∈ N with gN (x) (x) < .
2
Since gN (x) (x) is continuous at x, there is a δ(x) > 0 such that

gN (x) (t) < ε; ∀t ∈ (x − δ(x), x + δ(x)) (5)

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21 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Since I is compact, we can cover I by a finite number of intervals Ir = (xr − δ(xr ), xr +

δ(xr )); 1 ≤ r ≤ k. Let N = max{N (x1 ), N (x2 ), · · · , N (xk )}. Now, for any t ∈ I, we have
ε
t ∈ Ir for some r and, by Eq. (5) gN (xr ) (t) < . But since N ≥ N (xr ) and hgn i is decreasing,
2
we have

0 ≤ gN ≤ gN (xr ) (t) < ; ∀t ∈ I

Therefore, we indeed have

gn (x) ≤ gN (x) < ε; for n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ I

and the proof is complete. 2

E XAMPLE 41. (i) Consider the sequence hfn i, where, fn (x) = xn−1 (1 − x); x ∈ [0, 1]. Now

lim fn (x) = lim xn−1 (1 − x) = 0; for x ∈ [0, 1]

n→∞ n→∞

The sequence hfn i converges on [0, 1] to the function f (x) = 0 for x ∈ [0, 1]. Each fn is
continuous on [0, 1], also f (x) is continuous on [0, 1]. Now, for each each x ∈ [0, 1]

fn+1 (x) − fn (x) = (xn − xn+1 ) − (xn−1 − xn )

= −xn−1 (x − 1)2 ≤ 0

i.e., hfn i is monotone non-increasing for each x ∈ [0, 1]. By Dini’s Theorem 5, the conver-
gence of the sequence is uniform on [0, 1].
√ p
(ii) Consider the sequence hfn i, where, f1 (x) = x, fn (x) = xfn−1 (x); for n ≥ 2, x ∈
√ 1 1 1 1 1
[0, 1]. Therefore, f2 (x) = x · x1/2 = x 2 + 22 , · · · , fn (x) = x 2 + 22 +···+ 2n .
1
At x = 0, lim fn (x) = lim x1− 2n = x, i.e., hfn i converges to f on [0, 1], where
n→∞ n→∞
f (x) = x, x ∈ [0, 1]. Each f( x) converges to f on [0, 1]. Each f( x) is continuous on [0, 1]
and the limit function is also continuous on [0, 1]. Also
1 1 1 1
+ 2 + · · · + n h n+1 i
fn+1 (x) − fn (x) = x 2 2 2 x 2 −1

Therefore, hfn i is monotone decreasing on [0, 1]. By Dini’s Theorem 5, the convergence of
the sequence is uniform on [0, 1].

R ESULT 2. The following examples shows that each of the conditions (compactness of E, con-
tinuity of the limit function, continuity of fn and monotonicity of the sequence hfn i) in Dini’s
theorem 5 is essential.

(i) To show that the compactness of E is essential, consider fn : (0, 1) → R defined by

1
fn (x) = ; for x ∈ (0, 1). The sequences has pointwise limit f = 0. Now
1 + nx
Mn = sup |fn (x) − f (x)| = 1.
x∈(0,1)

As Mn 6→ 0 as n → ∞, therefore, the convergence is not uniform.

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22 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

The assumption of continuity of

fn can not  be omitted. Consider
1
 0; if x = 0 or ≤ x ≤ 1
 y6
fn (x) = n
 1;
 if 0 < x <
1 1 b b
n
as depicted in the Fig. 14, are not contin-
uous. They form a monotonic sequence
1 -
pointwise convergent to zero on [0, 1], but n 1 x
the convergence is not uniform.
Figure 14: Graph of fn

(ii) The continuity of the limit function is also essential. Indeed, the sequence fn : [0, 1] → R,
defined by fn (x) = xn ; for x ∈ [0, 1] fails to converge uniformly on [0, 1] as in the Example
16.

(iii) Consider, fn : [0, 1] → R defined by

y f (x) =
n
6 n 1
 2
2n x; if 0 ≤ x ≤
2n




1 1
  
1
n − 2n2 x − 2n ; if <x≤

 2n n
1

- 
O 1 x 
1

2n n
0; if < x ≤ 1
n
as depicted in the Fig. 15
Figure 15: Graph of fn

The functions fn (x) are continuous and form a sequence which is pointwise convergent to
R1
zero function on [0, 1]. Therefore, 0 f (x)dx = 0. Now, for each n ∈ N,
1
Z 1 Z Z 1/n h Z 1
2n
2 1 i 2

fn (x)dx = 2n x dx + n − 2n x − dx + 0 dx
0 0 1 2n 1/n
2n
h x2 i 1 h  x2 x i1/n 1
2n
= 2n2 + nx − 2n2 − =
2 0 2 2n 2n 1
2
Z 1 Z 1
1
Therefore, lim fn (x)dx = 6= 0 f (x)dx. So the convergence is not uniform.
n→∞ 0 2 0
x
E XAMPLE 42. Let un : [1, 2] → R be defined by un (x) = .
(1 + x)n
∞
X
(i) Show that un (x) converges for x ∈ [1, 2]
n=1

(ii) Use Dini’s theorem to show that the convergence is uniform.

Z 2X ∞  X ∞ Z 2
(iii) Does the following hold: un (x) dx = un (x)dx?
1 n=1 n=1 1

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23 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

1
Solution: (a) Let |1+x| < 1, that is, |1 + x| > 1. Then, we observe that
∞ ∞
X x X 1 x 1
= x = · 1 =1
(1 + x)n (1 + x)n 1 + x 1 − 1+x
n=1 n=1
∞
P
So, in particular, un (x) is convergent for x ∈ [1, 2].
n=1
(b) Let E = [1, 2], is compact and un (x) → 0 pointwise. Clearly
x x x2
un+1 − un = − = − <0
(1 + x)n+1 (1 + x)n (1 + x)n+1
so that the sequence is monotonic. All the hypotheses of Dini’s Theorem 5 are satisfied and thus
convergence is uniform.
(c) Since the convergence is uniform we can interchange the integral and summation. Thus the
equality holds.

Two Important Theorems regarding the Test of Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 6 (Abel’s test). If
(i) bn (x) is positive monotone decreasing function of n for each fixed value x in [a, b]
 
(ii) bn (x) < k, ∀x ∈ [a, b]

(iii) The series Σun (x) is uniformly convergent on [a, b] then Σbn (x)un (x) converges uniformly
on [a, b]
T HEOREM 7 (Dirichlet’s test). The series Σun (x)vn (x) will be uniformly convergent on a set
E ⊂ R if
(i) hvn in is positive,a monotone decreasing sequence for every x ∈ E and converges uniformly
to zero on E
n
  X 
(ii) Sn (x) =
   un (x) < K for every x ∈ E and for ∀n ∈ N, where K is a constant.
r=1
Consider the following examples:
∞
X sin nx
(i) Consider the series of functions defied on [a, b], where 0 < a ≤ x ≤ b < 2π.
n
n=1
Let un (x) = sin nx and vn (x) = n1 . Therefore
n
X sin nx2
 n−1 
Sn (x) = ur (x) = sin x + x
sin x2 2
r=1
n
 1  1 x
X  
∴ |Sn (x)| = | ur (x)| ≤  x= x; 0< <π
sin 2 sin 2 2
r=1
1 x
Now, x = cosec is bounded for all x ∈ [a, b], where 0 < a ≤ x ≤ b < 2π.
sin 2 2
Also, hvn in is positive,a monotone decreasing sequence for every x ∈ [a, b] and converges
uniformly to zero for all x ∈ [a, b].
Hence by Dirichlet’s test the series converges uniformly on [a, b].

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24 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

4 Uniform Convergence and Limit Theorems

As was pointed out in the previous section, even if all functions in a sequence have a nice property
(such as continuity, differentiability, etc.), the (pointwise) limit function, if it exists, need not (in
general) share this property. Our goal now is to show that, if the convergence is uniform, then
many nice properties satisfied by all the functions in the sequence will also be satisfied by their
(uniform) limit.

4.1 Uniform Convergence and Limit

In general, limits do not commute. Since the integral is defined with a limit, and since we saw in
the last section that integrals do not always respect limits of functions, we know some concrete
instances of noncommutation of limits. The fact that continuity is defined with a limit, and that
the limit of continuous functions need not be continuous, gives even more examples of situations
in which limits do not commute.

T HEOREM 8. Let E0 ⊂ E ⊂ R and let hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N . Suppose, hfn i converges uniformly on
E0 to a function f ∈ F(E0 ; R). Let x0 ∈ E0 and suppose that lim fn (x) = an ; (n = 1, 2, · · · )
x−→x0
then

(i) {an } of real constants converges.

(ii) lim f (x) = lim an i.e. lim { lim fn (x)} = lim { lim fn (x)}
x−→x0 n−→∞ x−→x0 n−→∞ n−→∞ x−→x0

Proof: (i) Let  > 0 be given. Since hfn i converges uniformly on E0 to a function f ∈ F(E0 ; R),
∃ a positive number N (ε) ∈ N such that for all
 
f (x) − f (x) < ; whenever m, n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0
 
 m n

Keeping m, n fixed and let x −→ x0 we get,

|am − an | <  ; n ≥ N.

Hence, by Cauchy’s general principle of convergence of real sequence of constants han i converges,
say to A, i.e., lim an = A. Therefore, han i of real constants converges.
n−→∞
(ii) Let ε > 0 be chosen arbitrary. Since han i converges to A ∃ a positive number N = N (ε) ∈
N such that

|an − A| < ; ∀n ≥ N
3
Since, hfn i converges uniformly on E0 to a function f ∈ F(E0 ; R), ∃ a positive number N =
N (ε) ∈ N such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ; ∀n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0
3
Again since lim fn (x) = an for all n, so corresponding to  > 0, ∃δ > 0 such that
x−→x0


|fn (x) − an | < ; whenever 0 < |x − x0 | < δ and ∀n ∈ N
3

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25 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Hence for all n ≥ N we have,

|f (x) − A| ≤ |f (x) − fn (x)| + |fn (x) − an | + |an − A|

  
< + + = ; whenever 0 < |x − x0 | < δ
3 3 3
∴ lim f (x) = A = lim an .
x−→x0 n−→∞

This proves the theorem. 2

∞
X
T HEOREM 9. Let E0 ⊂ E ⊂ R and let hun i ∈ F(E; R)N . Suppose, the series un (x)
n=1
converges uniformly on E0 to a sum function s ∈ F(E0 ; R). Let x0 ∈ E0 and suppose that
lim un (x) = an ; (n = 1, 2, · · · ) then
x−→x0

∞
X
(i) an converges and
n=1
∞
X ∞
hX i X∞ h i
(ii) lim s(x) = an i.e. lim un (x) = lim un (x)
x−→x0 x−→x0 x−→x0
n=1 n=1 n=1
∞
X
Proof: (i) Since the series un (x) converges uniformly on E0 corresponding to any  > 0, ∃ a
n=1
positive integer m such that ∀ x ∈ [a, b] and for any integer p ≥ 1,

 n+p 
 X
ur (x) <  ; ∀ n ≥ m , p ≥ 1


r=n+1

Keeping n, p fixed, we let x −→ x0 and obtain

 n+p 
 X
ar  <  ; ∀ n ≥ m , p ≥ 1


r=n+1

∞
X
Hence it follows that the series an converges to a finite limit A (say).
n=1
∞
X
(ii) Since un (x) converges uniformly to s(x) so corresponding to any  > 0, ∃ a positive
n=1
integer m such that ∀ x ∈ [a, b] and for any integer N1 ∈ N, such that ∀ x ∈ [a, b],
Xn  
u (x) − s(x) < ; ∀ n ≥ N1
 
r
3

r=1

Similarly, ∃ a positive integer N2 ∈ N such that

Xn  
ar − A < ; ∀ n ≥ N2
 
3

r=1

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26 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Again, since lim un (x) = an ; (n = 1, 2, 3, · · · ), ∃ a suitable δ such that

x−→x0
  
u (x) − an < ; ∀ x ∈ |x − x0 | < δ
 
 n
3n
X n Xn  X n  
∴ ur (x) − ar  ≤ ur (x) − ar 
   

r=1 r=1 r=1
 
< · n = ; ∀ x ∈ |x − x0 | < δ
3n 3
Let N = maxN1 , N2 ∈ N we get for n ≥ N and for x ∈ |x − x0 | < δ, we have
   n
X n
X n
X n
X 
s(x) − A = s(x) − ur (x) + ur (x) − ar + ar − A
   
r=1 r=1 r=1 r=1
 n
X  X n n
X  X n 
≤ s(x) − ur (x) +  ur (x) − ar  +  ar − A
     
r=1 r=1 r=1 r=1
  
< + + =
3 3 3
Therefore,
∞
X ∞
X ∞ n
X o
lim f (x) = A = an i.e. lim un (x) = lim un (x)
x−→x0 x−→x0 x−→x0
n=1 n=1 n=1

This proves the theorem. 2

4 cosn x π
E XAMPLE 43. For n ≥ 1, define fn : [0, π2 ] → R by fn (x) = ; x ∈ [0, ]. Then each
3+ cosn x2
fn is continuous. For x ∈ (0,(π2 ], cosn x → 0 as n → ∞, and so the sequence hfn i converges
1; for x = 0
pointwise on [0, π2 ] to f (x) = , which is not continuous on [0, π2 ]. Since the
0; for x ∈ (0, π2 ]
limit function is not continuous, the sequence hfn i cannot converge uniformly to f (x) on [0, π2 ].
∞
X cos nx
E XAMPLE 44. Evaluate lim
x→0 n(n + 1)
n=1
∞
X cos nx
Solution: The given series is of the form un (x), where un (x) = . Now, for all
n(n + 1)
n=1
n∈N
   cos nx  1 1
un (x) =  ≤ < 2 ; ∀x ∈ R
   
n(n + 1) n(n + 1) n
X X 1
Now, Mn = is a hyperhermonic series with p = 2 > 1, so convergent. Therefore, by
n2
Weierstrass Mn test, the given series of functions is uniformly convergent on (−∞, ∞). Thus
∞ ∞ n ∞ ∞ h
X cos nx X cos nx o X 1 X 1 1 i
lim = lim = = −
x→0 n(n + 1) x→0 n(n + 1) n(n + 1) n n+1
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1
 1 1 1 1 1 
= 1− + − + ··· + − + ···
2 2 3 n n+1
 1 
= lim 1 − = 1.
n→∞ n+1

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27 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 10. Let a function fn : E ⊆ R → R be bounded on E0 ⊆ E for all n ∈ N. If the

sequence hfn (x)i of functions converges uniformly on E0 , then the limit function f is bounded on
E0 and the sequence hfn (x)i is uniformly bounded on E0 .
Proof: Since hfn (x)i converges uniformly on E0 to the limit function f , then for a preassigned
ε > 0, there exists a natural number N (ε) ∈ N such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε, for all n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0

Therefore, |fM (x) − f (x)| < ε. Since fM (x) is bounded on E0 , there exists a positive constant
M such that |fN (x)| ≤ K. Thus, we have

|f (x)| = |fN (x) − {fN (x) − f (x)}|

≤ |fN (x)| + |fN (x) − f (x)| < M + ε; for all x ∈ E0

This proves that f is bounded on E0 . Now, for every x ∈ E0 and each n ≥ n0

|fn (x)| = |fn (x) − f (x) + f (x)|

≤ |fn (x) − f (x)| + |f (x)| < M + 2ε

Again, fn being bounded on E0 for each n ∈ N, we have |fn (x)| ≤ Mn for every x ∈ E0 and
n = 1, 2, · · · , (n0 − 1). Thus, if M0 = min{M1 , M2 , · · · , Mn0 −1 , M + 2ε}, then |fn (x)| ≤ M0
for every x ∈ E0 and for all n ∈ N. Therefore, the sequence hfn (x)i is uniformly bounded on E0 .
2

4.2 Uniform Convergence and Continuity

T HEOREM 11. Let E0 ⊂ E ⊂ R and let hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N . If each fn is continuous at some x0 ∈
E0 and hfn i converges uniformly on E0 to a function f ∈ F(E0 ; R); then f is also continuous at
x0 . Thus, if each fn is continuous on E0 , then so is the limit function f .
Proof: Let ε > 0 be chosen arbitrary. Since f is the uniform limit of hfn i, we can find N =
N (ε) ∈ N such that
  
fn (x) − f (x) < ; ∀ n ≥ N, ∀ x ∈ E0 (i)
 
3
With N as in (i), the continuity of fN at x0 implies that we can find δ = δ() > 0 with

|fN (x) − fN (x0 )| < ; ∀ x ∈ E0 ∩ (x0 − δ, x0 + δ) (ii)
3
Also, (i) implies that
  
fN (x) − f (x) < ; ∀ x ∈ E0 ∩ (x0 − δ, x0 + δ) (iii)
 
3
Now (i), (ii) and (iii) imply that, for each x ∈ E0 ∩ (x0 − δ, x0 + δ), we have

|f (x) − f (x0 )| = |f (x) − fN (x) + fN (x) − fN (x0 ) + fN (x0 ) − f (x0 )|

≤ |f (x) − fN (x)| + |fN (x) − fN (x0 )| + |fN (x0 ) − f (x0 )|
  
< + + =ε
3 3 3
and hence f is continuous at x0 . Since x0 is taken arbitrary on E0 , so the result holds. 2

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28 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 12. Let E0 ⊂ E ⊂ R and let hun i ∈ F(E; R)N . If each fn is continuous at some
∞
P
x0 ∈ E0 and the series fn converges uniformly on E0 to a sum function s ∈ F(E0 ; R); then s
n=1
is also continuous at x0 . In particular, if each fn is continuous on E0 , then so is the limit function
s.
P
Proof: Let ε > 0 be chosen arbitrary. x0 be arbitrary point on E0 . Since un (x) converges
uniformly to s(x) on E0 , therefore for  > 0 we can chose N ∈ N such that ∀ x ∈ E0
Xn  
ur (x) − s(x) < ; ∀ n ≥ N
 
3

r=1

and is particular, at x = x0 ∈ E0 and n = N ,

XN  
ur (x0 ) − s(x0 ) <
 
3

r=1

n
X
Again, since each un (x) is continuous at x0 , the sum of a finite number of functions ur (x) is
r=1
also continuous at x = x0 . Therefore, for  > 0, ∃δ > 0 such that
XN N
X  
ur (x) − ur (x0 ) < ; ∀ x ∈ E0 ∩ (x0 − δ, x0 + δ)
 
3

r=1 r=1

Hence for ∀ x ∈ E0 ∩ (x0 − δ, x0 + δ), we have

   N
X N
X N
X N
X 
s(x) − s(x0 ) = s(x) − ur (x) + ur (x) − ur (x0 ) + ur (x0 ) − u(x0 )
   
r=1 r=1 r=1 r=1
 N
X  X N N
X  X N 
≤ s(x) − ur (x) +  ur (x) − ur (x0 ) +  ur (x0 ) − u(x0 )
     
r=1 r=1 r=1 r=1
  
< + + =
3 3 3
∴ s(x) −→ s(x0 ) as x −→ x0 . Since x0 is arbitrary, so s(x) is continuous in E0 . 2

R ESULT 3. The converse of this theorem is not always true as may be seen in the following
example
∞
X x
(i) The series is uniformly convergent on any finite interval [a, b],
(nx + 1){(n − 1)x + 1}
n=1
when 0 < a < b. But the series is only point wise convergent but not uniformly convergent

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

29 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

x 1 1
on [a, b]. Here un (x) = = − . Therefore
(nx + 1){(n − 1)x + 1} (n − 1)x + 1 nx + 1

sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + u3 (x) + · · · + un (x)

 1   1 1   1 1 
= 1− + − + − +
x+1 x + 1 2x + 1 2x + 1 3x + 1
h 1 1 i
··· + −
(n − 1)x + 1 nx + 1
1
= 1−
nx + 1 (
1 x 6= 0
∴ s(x) = lim sn (x) =
n−→∞ 0 x=0

∴ The sum function s(x) is discontinuous on [a, b], and therefore the converges is uniform
on [a, b], it is only point wise. When x 6= 0, let  > 0 be given
 1 
|sn (x) − s(x)| = 1 − − 1
 
nx + 1
 1  1 1 
=  <  ; whenever n > − 1
 
nx + 1 x 


1 1  h n 1 1 oi
But − 1 decreases with x. Hence if we take N = max −1 + 1 ∈ N,
x  x∈[a,b] x 
which is independent of x, then we obtain |sn (x) − s(x)| < , whenever n > N for all
x ∈ [a, b] i.e. the series converges uniformly to s(x) = 1 on [a, b].

Below are some examples:

∞
X x4 4 x4 x4 x4
(i) Consider the series = x + + + + · · · on [0, 1].
(1 + x4 )n 1 + x4 (1 + x4 )2 (1 + x4 )3
n=0
Let {sn (x)}n be the sequence of nth partial sums. Then
n 1 1 o
sn (x) = x4 1 + + + · · ·
1 + x4 (1 + x4 )2
1 − (1+x1 4 )n n 1 o
= x4 1 = (1 + x 4
) 1 − , x 6= 0.
1 − 1+x 4 (1 + x4 )n

Therefore lim sn (x) = 1 + x4 i.e., s(x) = 1 + x4 , x 6= 0. Again, at x = 0, sn (0) = 0.

n→∞
s(0) = lim sn (0) = 0. So
n→∞
(
0; x=0
s(x) = 4 6 0
1+x ; x=

lim s(x) = 1 6= s(0) ⇒ s is not continuous at x = 0 i.e., on [0, 1], and therefore
n→∞
the converges is not uniform on [0, 1], it is only point wise. Given series is a series of
continuous functions on [0, 1] but its sum function s is not so. Hence, the series does not
converge uniformly on [0, 1].

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

30 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
X x4
(ii) Consider the series on [0, 1]. Here,
(1 + x4 )n
n=0
(
1; x 6= 1
s(x) =
0; x = 0

Thus the sum function s(x) is discontinuous on [0, 1], and therefore the converges is not
uniform on [0, 1], it is only point wise.
∞
X cos nx
E XAMPLE 45. A function S defined by S(x) = ; x ∈ R. Show that S is continuous
5n
n=1
for any x ∈ R.
Solution: The given series is of the form un (x), where, un (x) = cos5nnx . Now
P

 cos nx  1
|un (x)| =  n  ≤ n = Mn , say
 
5 5
X 1 1 1 5
Mn = 1 + + 2 + · · · = 1 =
5 5 1− 5 4
∞
P X cos nx
So the series Mn is convergent. Hence, by Weierstrass M -test the series is uni-
5n
n=1
cos nx
formly convergent on R. Again is continuous for all x ∈ R and ∀n ∈ N. So that the sum
5n
function S(x) is continuous on R.

4.3 Uniform Convergence and Integration

Z b Z bn o Z b
We shall investigate when do we have lim fn (x)dx = lim fn (x) dx = s(x)dx.
n−→∞ a a n−→∞ a
−nx2
Consider the sequence hfn (x)i given by, fn (x) = 2nxe .Each fn (x) is continuous on [0, 1]
and hence integrable there. Now,
2nx
f (x) = lim fn (x) = lim = 0 ; ∀ x ∈ [0, 1]
n−→∞ n−→∞ enx2
But
Z 1 Z 1
2
fn (x)dx = − e−nx (−2nx)dx
0 0
Z 1
2 1
2
h i
=− e−nx d(−nx2 ) = − e−nx = 1 − e−n
0 0
Z 1
∴ lim fn (x)dx = lim (1 − e−n ) = 1
n−→∞ 0 n−→∞

Also,
Z 1n o Z 1
lim fn (x) dx = 0 · dx = 0
0 n−→∞ 0
Z 1 Z 1n o
∴ lim fn (x)dx 6= lim fn (x) dx.
n−→∞ 0 0 n−→∞

We show that Riemann integrability is preserved when we pass to uniform limits.

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31 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

R ESULT 4. [Lebesgue’s Integrability Criterion:] Let f : [a, b] → R be a bounded function. Then

f is Riemann integrable if and only if it is continuous almost everywhere.
∞
1 S
Proof: For each N ∈ N, let Dn = {x ∈ [a, b] : ωf (x) ≥ N} and put D = Dn . Then D
n=1
is the set of all discontinuity points of f in [a, b](?). Suppose that f ∈ R[a, b]. We want to prove
that each Dn has measure zero. By Riemann’s Lemma, given any ε > 0 we can find a partition
  n
P = xk of [a, b] such that U (P ; f ) − L(P ; f ) < Nε . Let us divide {1, 2, · · · , n} into two
k=0
parts, Gi = Gi (DN ); i = 1, 2

G1 = {j : (xj−1 , xj ) ∩ DN 6= φ}; G2 = {j : (xj−1 , xj ) ∩ DN = φ}

Now, with Mr = sup{f (x) : x ∈ [xr−1 , xr ]}, mj = inf{f (x) : x ∈ [xr−1 , xr ]} and δr =
xr − xr−1 , we have
X X ε
U (P ; f ) − L(P ; f ) = (Mr − mr )δr + (Mr − mr )δr <
N
r∈G1 r∈G2

ε
Since (xr−1 , xr ) ∩ DN 6= φ, implies that Mr − mr ≥ , we have
N
X X Nε
δr ≤ N (Mr − mr )δr < =ε
N
r∈G1 r∈G1

But the intervals (xr−1 , xr ) with r ∈ G1 cover DN . Therefore, DN has measure zero for each N ;
and hence, D has measure zero.
Conversely, let us assume that D has measure zero and let ε > 0 be given. Each [a, b]/DN
is (relatively) open. Therefore each DN is a closed (hence compact) subset of [a, b]and has
n
measure zero. Let N be such that (b − a)/ = N < ε/2 and pick a partition P = xk
k=0
X ε
of [a, b] such that δr < , where, M = sup{|f (x)| : x ∈ [a, b]}. Next, note that if
4M
S r∈G1
K = r∈G2 [xr−1 , xr ], with G2 defined as above, then K is a compact subset of [a, b] such that
x ∈ K implies ωf (x) < N1 . Thus, we can pick a δ > 0, such that

1
|s − t| < δ ⇒ |f (s) − f (t)| < .
N
 n0
Let Q = x0k0 be a refinement of P with mesh ν(P ) < δ. Then, with Mr0 , mr0 and δr0 0 ,
k0 =0
defined as usual and the subsets G01 , G02 ⊂ {1, 2, · · · n0 } defined as in the first part of the proof, we
have
X X
U (Q; f ) − L(Q; f ) = (Mr0 − m0r )δr0 + (Mr0 − m0r )δr0
r0 ∈G01 r0 ∈G02
X b−a ε ε
< 2M δr + < 2M · + =ε
N 4M 2
r∈G1

which shows indeed that f ∈ R ∈ [a, b] and completes the proof. 2

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

32 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 13 (Uniform Convergence and Integrability). Let hfn i be a sequence of Riemann in-
tegrable functions on a compact interval [a, b] ⊂ R. If lim fn = f , uniformly on [a, b], then f is
also Riemann integrable on [a, b] and we have
Z x Z x
f (t) dt = lim fn (t) dt; ∀x ∈ [a, b]
a n→∞ a

Proof: Let ε > 0 be chosen arbitrary. The uniform convergence of hfn i to f implies that, for
some n ∈ N such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε; ∀x ∈ [a, b] and n ≥ N

In particular, |fN (x) − f (x)| < ε, for all x ∈ [a, b]. Therefore,

|f (x)| = |f (x) − fN (x) + fN (x)| ≤ |f (x) − fN (x)| + |fN (x)|

< ε + |fN (x)|; ∀x ∈ [a, b]

Now, for each n ∈ N, fn is Riemann integrable and hence continuous on [a, b] except on a set Dn
∞
S
of measure zero. Let D = Dn . Then D has measure zero. For each x ∈ [a, b]/D, all the fn
n=1
are continuous at x. Since fn converges to f uniformly, Theorem implies that f is also continuous
at x. Thus, f is indeed continuous on [a, b]/D and hence Riemann integrable.
Next, given any ε > 0, by uniform convergence, we can find N ∈ N such that |fN (t) − f (t)| <
ε
b−a , for all [a, b].

Z x Z x  Z b
f (t) dt − fN (t) dt ≤ |f (t) − fN (t)| dt < ε
 

a a a

and the proof is complete. 2

T HEOREM 14. Let hfn (x)i be a sequence of R-integrable functions on [a, b] where a, b are finite.
If hfn (x)i converges uniformly to f (x) which is R-integrable in [a, b], then
Z b Z bn o Z b
lim fn (x)dx = lim fn (x) dx = f (x)dx
n−→∞ a a n−→∞ a

Proof: Let  > 0 be any given positive number. Then  by definition

 of U.C of the {sn (x)} on

[a, b] We can find a positive integer N () for which sn (x) − s(x) < b−a ; ∀ n > N and for all
 

x ∈ [a, b].
We chose n > N , we have
Z b Z b  Z b 
sn (x)dx − s(x)dx =  {sn (x) − s(x)}
   

a a a
Z b 
≤ s (x) − s(x) dx
 
 n
a
Z b

≤ dx = 
a b−a
Rb Rbn o Rb
∴ lim a sn (x)dx = a lim sn (x) dx = a s(x)dx. Hence the theorem.
n−→∞ n−→∞

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

33 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 15 (Term by Term Integration of an Uniform Convergent Series). Let hun (x)i be a
∞
X
sequence of R-integrable functions on a compact interval [a, b] ⊂ R. If the infinite series un
n=1
converges uniformly to sum s(x) on [a, b], then
(i) s ∈ R[a, b], i.e., s is R-integrable on [a, b], and
Z b Z bhX ∞ i X∞ hZ b i
(ii) s(x)dx = un (x) dx = un (x)dx
a a n=1 n=1 a

Proof: Here sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) = the nth partial sum of the series. Let  > 0
be any given positive number. Then by definition of uniformly convergent of the hsn (x)i on [a, b]
We can find a positive integer m such that
  
sn (x) − s(x) < ; ∀ n ≥ m.
 
3(b − a)
    
In particular, sm (x)−s(x) < i.e. − 3(b−a) +sm (x) < s(x) < 3(b−a) +sm (x). For this
 
3(b − a)
fixed m, since sm is R-integrable, we chose a partition of [a, b] such that U (P ; sm ) − L(P ; sm ) <

3.

∵ s(x) < sm (x) +
3(b − a)

∴ U (P ; s) < U (P ; sm ) +
3
Again since,

s(x) > sm (x) −
3(b − a)

∴ L(P ; s) > L(P ; sm ) −
3
Therefore
2  2
U (P ; s) − L(P ; s) < U (P ; sm ) − L(P ; sm ) + = + =
3 3 3
So, s(x) is R-integrable on [a, b]. Therefore,
Z b Z bn o
lim sn (x)dx = lim sn (x) dx
n−→∞ a a n−→∞
X∞ hZ b i ∞
Z bhX i
un (x)dx = un (x) dx
n=1 a a n=1

R ESULT 5. It is observed here that term-by=term integration is not a sufficient condition for uni-
form convergence of a series of functions as may be seen in the following example 46.
∞ 1
h
X
E XAMPLE 46. Show that the series un (x), where u1 (x) = x and un (x) = x 2n − 1 −
n=1
1 i
x 2n − 3 , n ≥ 2, is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1]. the series be integrated term-by-term on
[0, 1] ?

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

34 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Solution: The nth partial sum of the series is given by

1
Sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) = x 2n−1 ; x ∈ [0, 1]

For all x ∈ (0, 1], lim Sn (x) = 1 and for x = 0, the sequence hSn i converges to 0. Therefore,
n→∞
∞
X
the series un (x) is convergent pointwise on [0, 1] to the limit function S, where S(x) =
( n=1
0; if x = 0
. The limit function S(x) is discontinuous at x = 0. Since each un is
1; if x ∈ (0, 1]
P
continuous on [0, 1] and the limit function S(x) is not continuous on [0, 1], so the series un is
not uniformly convergent on [0, 1]. Now
Z ∞
1X  Z 1 Z 1
un (x) dx = S(x)dx = dx = 1
0 n=1 0 0
Z 1 Z 1
1
u1 (x)dx = x dx =
0 0 2
1
11
1 i
2n − 1 2n − 3
Z hZ
un (x)dx = dx = x 2n − 1 −x −3 =
2n − ;n ≥ 2 (i)
0 0 2n 2n − 2
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
Again, let In = u1 (x)dx + u2 (x)dx + · · · + un (x)dx, then using (i), we get
0 0 0

2n − 1
In = ⇒ lim In = 1
2n n→∞
∞
X Z 1 ∞
Z 1X 
⇒ un (x)dx = 1 = un (x) dx
n=1 0 0 n=1

i.e., the series can be integrated term-by-term on [0, 1].

Z 1X ∞ ∞
xn  X 1
E XAMPLE 47. Prove that 2
dx = 2
0 n n (n + 1)
n=1 n=1

xn
Solution: Let un (x) = n2
; x ∈ [0, 1], n ∈ N. For all x ∈ [0, 1],
 xn  1
|un (x)| =  2  ≤ 2 ; ∀n ∈ N.
 
n n
1 P
Let Mn = 2 , then |un (x)| ≤ Mn for all x ∈ [0, 1] and for all n ∈ N and Mn is a convergent
n
series of positive real numbers.
P
Therefore, by Weierstrass M -test, the series un is uniformly convergent on [0, 1]. Since each
fn is integrable on [0, 1], the series can be integrated term by term on [0, 1]. Hence
∞
1X ∞ 1 ∞ ∞
xn  xn X h xn+1 i1 X
Z Z
X 1
dx = dx = =
0 n2 n2 (n + 1)n2 0 n2 (n + 1)
n=1 n=1 0 n=1 n=1

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35 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

2 x2
∞ h 1 −x 1 −
(n + 1)2 ,
X i
E XAMPLE 48. Show that the series un (x), where un (x) = 2x 2 e n2 − e
n (n + 1)2
n=1
∞ Z 1
X Z 1X ∞ 
x ∈ [0, 1] is uniformly convergent on [0, 1] and further show that un (x)dx = un (x) dx.
n=1 0 0 n=1
Solution: The nth partial sum of the series is given by
Sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x)
x2
−
h 2 1 (n + 1)2
i
= 2x e−x − e
(n + 1)2
2
For all x ∈ (0, 1], lim Sn (x) = 2xe−x . For x = 0, the sequence hSn i converges to 0. Therefore,
n→∞
∞
2
X
the series un (x) converges pointwise on [0, 1] to the function S, where S(x) = 2xe−x ,
n=1
x ∈ [0, 1]. Therefore,
Z ∞
1X Z 1
 2 1
un (x) dx = 2xe−x dx = 1 −
0 0 e
n=1
For all x ∈ [0, 1],
n1 1 o
|un (x)| ≤ 2 + = Mn (say ); ∀n ∈ N
n2 (n + 1)2
∞
X
Then Mn is a convergent series of positive real numbers and for all x ∈ [0, 1], |un (x)| ≤ Mn
n=1
∞
X
for all n ∈ N. Hence by Weierstrass M -test the series un (x) converges uniformly on [0, 1].
n=1
Now
2 x2
Z 1 Z h 1 −x
1
1 −
(n + 1)2 dx
i
un (x)dx = 2x 2 e n2 − e
0 0 n (n + 1)2
x2 x2 1 1
− − i1 − −
2 2
h
= − e n2 + e (n + 1) = −e n2 + e (n + 1) (i)
0
P
Since each un is integrable on [0, 1] and un converges uniformly on [0, 1], then term-by-term
integration for the series is possible and
∞ Z 1 Z 1X ∞
X  1
un (x)dx = un (x) dx = 1 −
e
n=1 0 0 n=1
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
Again, let In = u1 (x)dx + u2 (x)dx + · · · + un (x)dx, then using (i), we get
0 0 0
1
−
1 2 1
In = − + e (n + 1) ⇒ lim In = 1 −
e n→∞ e
∞ Z 1
X 1
⇒ un (x)dx = 1 −
0 e
n=1

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

36 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞ h i
2 2 2 2
X
E XAMPLE 49. Let us consider the series un (x), where un (x) = x n2 e−n x −(n−1)2 e−(n−1) x ,
n=1
∞
X
x ∈ [0, 1]. Applying integration show that the series un (x) is not uniformly convergent on
n=1
[0, 1].

Solution: The nth partial sum of the series is given by

2 x2
Sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) = n2 xe−n

For all x ∈ (0, 1],

2 x2 n4 x4 2
en > > 0 ⇒ 0 < Sn (x) < 3 3 ; ∀x ∈ (0, 1].
2 n x
Thus, by Sandwich theorem lim Sn (x) = 0 for all x ∈ (0, 1]. For x = 0, the sequence hSn i
n→∞
∞
X
converges to 0. Therefore, the series un (x) converges pointwise on [0, 1] to the function S,
n=1
where S(x) = 0, x ∈ [0, 1]. Therefore,
Z ∞
1X  Z 1
un (x) dx = 0 dx = 0
0 n=1 0

Now
Z 1 h Z 1 i
2 2 2 2
un (x)dx = x n2 e−n x − (n − 1)2 e−(n−1) x dx
0 0
1 h −(n−1)2 x2 2 2
i 1h 2 2
i
= e − en x = e−(n−1) − en (i)
2 2
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
Again, let In = u1 (x)dx + u2 (x)dx + · · · + un (x)dx, then using (i), we get
0 0 0

1 2
 1
In = 1 − e−n ⇒ lim In =
2 n→∞ 2
∞ Z 1 ∞
Z 1X
X 1
⇒ un (x)dx = 6= un (x)dx
0 2 0
n=1 n=1

∞
X
Therefore, the series un (x) is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1].
n=1
∞
X
E XAMPLE 50. If S(x) be the sum function of the series un (x), where un (x) = ne−nx , x ∈
n=1
[a, b], 0 < a < b, then show that the series converges uniformly to S(x) on [a, b]. Evaluate
Z log 3
S(x)dx.
log 2

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

37 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Solution: For all x ∈ [a, b]

n 2n 2
|un (x)| = nx
< 2 2 < 2 2 ; ∀n ∈ N
e n x n a
Let Mn = 2/a2 n2 , then
P
un (x) converges uniformly on [a, b] where 0 < a < b to the sum
function S(x), where
∞
X
S(x) = un (x); x ∈ [a, b], 0 < a < b.
n=1
P
Now, each un is integrable on [a, b]. Also, the series un is uniformly convergent on [a, b] to the
sum function S(x). Therefore
Z b ∞ Z
X b Z b Z b
S(x)dx = un (x)dx = u1 (x)dx + u2 (x)dx + · · ·
a n=1 a a a
Z log 3 Z log 3 Z log 3 Z log 3
−x −2x
S(x)dx = e dx + 2e dx + 3e−2x dx + · · ·
log 2 log 2 log 2 log 2
1 1  1 1 1 1
= − + 2 − 2 + 3 − 3 + ···
2 3 2 3 2 3
 1 1 1   1 1 1 
= 1 + + 2 + 3 + ··· − 1 + + 2 + 3 + ···
2 2 2 3 3 3
3 1
= 2− =
2 2

4.4 Uniform Convergence and Differentiation

Here, we look at the differentiability properties of the limit of a uniformly convergent sequence of
differentiable functions. Here, the situation is more complicated. In fact, even the uniform limit
of a sequence of differentiable functions need not be differentiable.
2
Consider the sequence hfn (x)i where fn (x) = xe−nx , −1 ≤ x ≤ 1. Now
2
f (x) = lim sn (x) = x lim e−nx = 0.
n−→∞ n−→∞

∴ hfn (x)i converges uniformly to f (x) = 0 for all values of x in [−1, 1]. Hence f 0 (x) = 0
∀ x ∈ [−1, 1], so f 0 (0) = 0. But
2 2 2
fn0 (x) = e−nx + x(−2nx)e−nx = e−nx (1 − 2nx2 ).

At x = 0 , s0n (0) = 1 ; ∀ n. Therefore, fn0 (0) −→ 1 as n −→ ∞ and f 0 (0) = 0. So uniform

dn o nd o
convergence of hfn (x)i is not enough to guarantee that lim fn (x) = lim fn (x) .
dx n−→∞ n−→∞ dx

T HEOREM 16. Let hfn i be a real valued function defined on [a, b] such that,

(i) each fn is continuously differentiable function on [a, b]

(ii) hfn (x)i converges at least at one point x0 ∈ [a, b]

(iii) hfn0 i converges uniformly to a function σ(x) on [a, b].

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

38 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Then

1. hfn (x)i must converges uniformly to a continuously differentiable function f (x) on [a, b],
and
dn o nd o
2. f 0 (x) = σ(x) i.e., lim fn (x) = lim fn (x) ; ∀x ∈ [a, b].
dx n−→∞ n−→∞ dx

Proof: Let  > 0 be chosen number. Since hfn0 i converges uniformly on [a, b], so, ∃ a positive
integer N1 () ∈ N such that

 0 0
 
fn (x) − fm (x) < ; ∀ m, n ≥ N1 , ∀ x ∈ [a, b]

2(b − a)
Also since hfn (x)i converges at x = x0 , corresponding to the same , ∃ a natural number N2 (ε) ∈
N such that
  
fn (x0 ) − fm (x0 ) < ; ∀ m, n ≥ N2
 
2
Let x and y be any points in [a, b]. Since fn (x) is differentiable and hence continuous on [a, b], by
using Lagrange mean value theorem, we get
 
{fn (x) − fm (x)} − {fn (y) − fm (y)}
 
 
0 0
= (x − y){fn (ξ) − fm (ξ)}; where, ξ ∈ (x, y)
 
 
< (b − a) · < ; as |x − y| < b − a
2(b − a) 2
Let, N = max{N1 , N2 } ∈ N. Then, for ∀ m, n ≥ N and for all x ∈ [a, b], we have

|fn (x) − fm (x0 )| = |{fn (x) − fm (x)} − {fn (x0 ) − fm (x0 )} + {fn (x0 ) − fm (x0 )}|
 
≤ {fn (x) − fm (x)} − {fn (x0 ) − fm (x0 )} + |{fn (x0 ) − fm (x0 )}|
 
 
< + =ε
2 2
Therefore, by Cauchy criterion, hfn i converges uniformly on [a, b] and f be the uniform limit of
hfn i on [a, b].
For fixed x on [a, b], and for any y ∈ [a, b]; let us define
fn (y) − fn (x) f (y) − f (x)
φn (y) = ; n ∈ N and φ(y) = ; y 6= x
y−x y−x
Since each fn is differentiable on [a, b], so for each n ∈ N
fn (y) − fn (x)
lim φn (y) = lim = fn0 (x).
y→x y→x y−x
Now, for all m, n ≥ N , we have
1  
|φn (y) − φm (y)| = ·  − {fn (x) − fm (x)} + {fn (y) − fm (y)}
 
|y − x|
1 ε ε
< · |x − y| · = .
y−x 2(b − a) 2(b − a)

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39 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Therefore, {φn (y)} converges uniformly to φ(y) on [a, b] for y ∈ [a, b] but y 6= x. Since {fn (x)}n
converges uniformly to f (x) on [a, b], we get

lim { lim φn (y)} = lim { lim φn (y)}

y→x n→∞ n→∞ y→x
0
or, lim φ(y) = lim f (x)
y→x n→∞ n
f (y) − f (x)
or, lim = lim fn0 (x)
y→x y−x n→∞

or, fn0 (x) = σ(x); ∀x ∈ [a, b]

d dn o d
But f 0 (x) = {f (x)} = lim fn (x) and σ(x) = lim fn0 (x) = lim fn (x). So,
dx dx n→∞ n→∞ n→∞ dx
dn o d
lim fn (x) = lim fn (x); ∀x ∈ [a, b]
dx n→∞ n→∞ dx

This completes the proof of the theorem. 2

2 x2
E XAMPLE 51. Show that for the series whose partial sums are given by sn (x) = n2 xe−n

(i) the limit function is continuous.

(ii) term-by-term integration is valid

(iii) term-by-term differentiation is valid but

(iv) the series does not converge uniformly on any closed interval containing origin

Solution: Let [a, b] be a closed and bounded interval containing 0. Here s(x) = lim sn (x) =
n→∞
0∀x ∈ [a, b], a constant function. So, s is continuous on [a, b].
(ii)
Z bn o Z b
lim sn (x) dx = 0dx = 0.
a n→∞ a
Z b Z b
1n 2 2 2 2
o
sn (x)dx = n2 xe−n2 x2 dx = − e−n b − e−n a [ Put n2 x2 = u]
a a 2
Z b
∴ lim sn (x)dx = 0
n→∞ a

Z b X XZ b
So, { fn (x)}dx = fn (x)dx. Thus, term-by-term integration is valid.
a a
2 x2
(iii) Since s(x) = 0; ∀x ∈ [a, b]. ∴ s0 (x) = 0∀x ∈ [a, b]. Now, s0n (x) = n2 e−n (1 − 2n2 x2 ).
Therefore

lim s0 (x) = 0; x ∈ [a, b]

n→∞ n
dn o d
lim s0n (x) = s0 (x), i.e., lim sn (x) = lim (sn (x))
n→∞ dx n→∞ n→∞ dx
∞ ∞
d nX o X
or, fn (x) = fn0 (x); ∀x ∈ [a, b]
dx
n=0 n=0

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40 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Thus term-by-term differentiation is valid for all x ∈ [a, b].

 n2 x 
(iv) Mn = sup |sn (x) − s(x)| = sup  n2 2  = |g(x)|, say. Now
 
x∈[a,b] x∈[a,b] e x

2 x2 1
g 0 (x) = x2 e−n
(1 − 2n2 x2 ) = 0 for x = ± √
n 2
00 4 2 2 n2 x2 1
g (x) = n x(4n x − 6)e < 0 at x = √
n 2
1
Therefore, Mn = ne−1/2 → ∞ as n → ∞. So the series is not uniformly convergent on [a, b],
2
an interval containing 0.

T HEOREM 17 (Term-by-Term Differentiation). Let hun i be a sequence of differentiable functions

∞ ∞
u0n of
P P
on [a, b], such that the series un (x0 ) converges for some x0 ∈ [a, b]. If the series
n=1 n=1
∞
P
derivatives converges uniformly on [a, b], then the series un converges uniformly on [a, b] to a
n=1
differentiable sum s and we have
∞ ∞
0 d X X
s (x) = un (x) = u0n (x); ∀x ∈ [a, b]
dx
n=1 n=1

∞
Proof: The nth partial sum of the series
P
un is sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + u3 (x) + · · · + un (x).
n=1
Now,

(i) Each un is given to be differentiable on [a, b] and so sn is also differentiable on [a, b], and
s0n (x) = u1 0 (x) + u2 0 (x) + u3 0 (x) + · · · + un 0 (x).
∞ ∞
u0n be the series of derived functions then this s0n (x) = u0n (x)
P P
(ii) If
n=1 n=1
∞
u0n (x) converges uniformly to σ(x) on [a, b], so we may take
P
(iii) Given that the series
n=1
{u0n (x)}n converges to σ(x) on [a, b].
∞
u0n (x) converges at least one point x0 ∈ [a, b], so we can take
P
(iv) Given that the series
n=1
{s0n (x)}n converges at least one point x0 ∈ [a, b].

Hence, by the previous theorem 16, the sequence {sn (x)} must converge uniformly to its limit
function s(x) on [a, b] such that s0 (x) = σ(x); ∀x ∈ [a, b].

E XAMPLE 52. We end this section by giving an example of a continuous function on R that is
nowhere differentiable

(i) Consider the sawtooth function:

 1
 x − [x];
 if x ≤ [x] +
2
f0 (x) =
 [x] + 1 − x;
 1
if x > [x] +
2

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41 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Then f0 (x) is the distance from x to the nearest integer, i.e., f0 (x) = d(x, Z), and is a
continuous, periodic function on R with period 1. Now, define fn (x) = 4−n f0 (4n x) for all
x ∈ R and n = 0, 1, 2, · · · . Then fn is also a continuous sawtooth function (with period
4−n ), whose graph consists of line segments of slope ±1. Since 0 ≤ f0 ≤ 21 , we have
1
0 ≤ fn (x) ≤ for all x ∈ R and n ∈ N.
2 · 4n
P
R ESULT 6. Only the uniform convergence of the series of functions n un (x) on [a, b] is not
P
sufficient to ensure the validity of term-by-term differentiation of the series n un (x) on [a, b].
This situation is depicted in the following example 53.
∞
X
E XAMPLE 53. example We consider the series un (x), x ∈ [0, 1] whose nth partial sum is
n=1
x
sn (x) = , x ∈ [0, 1]. Then lim sn (x) = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1]. Hence, the sequence
1 + nx2 n→∞
hsn (x)i converges pointwise to the limit function s(x) where s(x) = 0, x ∈ [0, 1]. Let (as
depicted in Example 20)
  x 1
Mn = sup sn (x) − s(x) = sup = √ → 0 as n → ∞
 
2
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] 1 + nx 2 n
P
Therefore hsn (x)i is uniformly convergent on [0, 1]. Thus, the series n un (x) converges uni-
formly to the limit function f on [0, 1]. Now
(
− 2
d n o 1 nx 0; 0 < x ≤ 1
s0n (x) = sn (x) = 2 2
and lim s0n (x) =
dx (1 + nx ) n→∞ 1; x=0
(
P 0 0; 0 < x ≤ 1
Hence the series un converges to the function g, where g(x) = . Therefore
1; x=0

d d dh i
u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · = 0 = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · , for 0 < x ≤ 1
dx dx dx
d d dh i
and u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · = 1 6= u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · , for x = 0
dx dx dx
P
R ESULT 7. If the series sn be convergent pointwise, then the uniform convergence of the series
P 0
s is only a sufficient condition for the validity of term-by-term differentiation of the series
P n
sn . This situation is depicted in the following example 54.
∞
X
E XAMPLE 54. We consider the series un (x), x ∈ [0, 1] whose nth partial sum is sn (x) =
n=1
log(1 + n4 x2 )
, x ∈ [0, 1]. Then
2n2
log(1 + n4 x2 )
lim sn (x) = lim = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1]
n→∞ n→∞ n2
Therefore, the sequence hsn (x)i converges pointwise to the limit function s(x) where s(x) = 0,
x ∈ [0, 1]. Now
n2 x
s0n (x) = u01 (x) + u02 (x) + · · · + u0n (x) = ; x ∈ [0, 1]
1 + n4 x2

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42 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Therefore, lim s0n (x) = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1]. Thus the sequence hs0n (x)i converges point wise to
n→∞
the limit function s(x) where s(x) = 0, x ∈ [0, 1] and hence the series s0n (x) converges to the
P
d d
function g(x) on [0, 1]. Now [f (x)] = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and also [f (x)] = g(x), x ∈ [0, 1].
dx dx
Therefore,
d d dh i
[u1 (x)] + [u2 (x)] + · · · = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · ·
dx dx dx
P
Thus term-by-term differentiation of the series un is valid. Let
  n2 x
Mn = sup s0n (x) − s(x) = sup
 
4 2
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] 1 + n x

n2 x + n12 x
r
1 1
For x > 0, we have ≥ n2 x · 2 , equality holds for x = 2 . Therefore,
2 n x n
n2 x 1 1 n2 x
≤ for all x > 0, equality holds for x = . Again for x = 0, = 0.
1 + n4 x2 2 n2 1 + n4 x2
Hence
n2 x 1
Mn = sup 4 2
=
x∈[0,1] 1 + n x 2

1
(6= 0), the sequence hs0n (x)i and hence the series
P 0
Since lim Mn = un is not uniformly
n→∞ 2 P 0
convergent on [0, 1]. Thus, although the series un is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1], term
P
by term differentiation of the series un is valid.
∞
X
E XAMPLE 55. Show that term-by-term differentiation is not valid at x = 0 for the series un (x)
n=1
nx (n − 1)x
, where un (x) = 2 2
− ; x ∈ [0, 1].
1+n x 1 + (n − 1)2 x2
X
Solution: Let sn (x) be the nth partial sum of the series un (x), then

nx
sn (x) = u1 (x) + u2 (x) + · · · + un (x) = ; x ∈ [0, 1]
1 + n2 x2
Therefore, lim sn (x) = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and hence the sequence hsn (x)i converges pointwise
n→∞ X
to the limit function s(x), where s(x) = 0, x ∈ [0, 1]. Thus the series un (x) converges
pointwise to the limit function s(x) for all x ∈ [0, 1]. Now

d X  d 
un (x) = = 0; ∀x ∈ [0, 1]
dx dx
d  n − n3 x2 (n − 1) − (n − 1)3 x2
and un (x) =  2 − h i2
dx
1 + n2 x2 1 + (n − 1)2 x2

d  X d 
At x = 0, un (x) = n − (n − 1) = 1 and hence un (x) = 1 + 1 + · · · , which is a
dx dx
d X  X d 
divergent series. Therefore, at x = 0, un (x) 6= un (x) .
dx dx

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43 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Problem Set
[Multiple Choice Questions]
n
1. Let lim x = f (x), x ∈ [0, 1]. Then
n→∞
( (
0; if 0 ≤ x < 1 1; if 0 ≤ x < 1
a) f (x) = b) f (x) =
1; if x = 1 0; if x = 0

c) f (x) = 1, x ∈ [0, 1] d) f (x) = 0; x ∈ [0, 1]

1 (a)
∞
X
2. The series xn , converges pointwise to the sum function s(x), x ∈ [0, 1]. Then
n=1

1 1
a) f (x) = , x ∈ [0, 1] b) f (x) = , x ∈ [0, 1]
1−x 1+x
c) f (x) = x, x ∈ [0, 1] d) f (x) = 0 does not exist

2 (d)
 2m
3. For each n ∈ N, let fn (x) = lim cos n!πx ; x ∈ R. Then the sequence of functions
m→∞
hfn i converges on R to the function f defined by
( (
0; if x ∈ Q 1; if x ∈ Q
a) f (x) = b) f (x) =
1; if x ∈ R − Q 0; if x ∈ R − Q
( (
π; if x ∈ Q −π; if x ∈ Q
c) f (x) = d) f (x) =
1; if x ∈ R − Q 1; if x ∈ R − Q

3 (b)

4. Which of the following sequences of functions is uniformly convergent on (0, 1)?

n x 1
a) xn b) c) d)
nx + 1 nx + 1 nx + 1
4 (c)

5. Let fn (x) = x1/n for x ∈ [0, 1]. Then

a) lim fn (x) exists for all x ∈ [0, 1] b) lim fn (x) defines a continuous func-
n→∞ n→∞
tion on [0, 1]
c) {fn (x)} converges uniformly on [0, 1] d) lim fn (x) = 0 for all n ∈ [0, 1]
n→∞

5 (a)

6. Let lim xe−nx = f (x), x ≥ 0. Then

n→∞

a) f (x) = 0, x ≥ b) f (x) = 1, x ≥ c) f (x) = e−1 , x ≥ d) none of the above

0 0 0

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44 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

6 (a)

7. Let fn (x) = tan−1 nx; x ∈ R. Then lim fn (x) is

n→∞
π π π
a) 0 b) c) − d) sgnx
2 2 2
7 (d)
n
1 2x 4x3 2n x2 −1
8. For x ∈ (−1, 1), the sum of the series + + + · · · + + · · · is
1 + x 1 + x2 1 + x4 1 + x2n
1 1 1−x
a) b) c) 0 d)
1+x 1−x 1+x
8 (b)
e−2x e−4x e−6x
9. The series 1 − 2
+ 2 − 2 + · · · is
2 −1 4 −1 6 −1
a) converges uniformly for all x ≥ 0 b) converges uniformly for all x ∈ R
c) converges uniformly for all x ∈ (−1, 1) d) converges uniformly on [−1, 1]

9 (a)

10. Which of the following sequence hfn i of functions does not converge uniformly on [0, 1]?
e−x
a) fn (x) = b) fn (x) = (1 − x)n
n
x2 + nx sin(nx + n)
c) fn (x) = d) fn (x) =
n n
10 (b)

11. Which one of the following series of functions is uniformly convergent for all real x ?
X (−1)n x2n X (−1)n x2n X (−1)n x2n
a) √ b) c) d) None of these
n(1 + x2n ) n3/2 (1 + x2n ) n2/3 (1 + x2n )
11 (b)
(
1
1 − nx; for 0 ≤ x ≤ n
12. Let fn (x) =
1
0; for n <x≤1

a) lim fn (x) defines a continuous func- b) {fn } converges uniformly on [0, 1]

n→∞
tion on [0, 1]

c) lim fn (x) = 0 for all x ∈ [0, 1] d) lim fn (x) exists for all x ∈ [0, 1]
n→∞ n→∞

12 (d)
(
1
1 − nx; for 0 ≤ x ≤ n
13. Let fn (x) = and lim fn = f . Then
1 n→∞
0; for n <x≤1

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45 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

a) f is continuous on [0, 1] b) f is bounded on [0, 1]

c) convergence of hfn i is uniform d) none of these

13 (b)
(
1
n(1 − nx); for 0 ≤ x ≤ n
14. Let fn (x) = . Then hfn i
1
0; for n <x≤1

a) converges pointwise to f (x) = 0, x ∈ b) converges uniformly to f (x) = 0, x ∈

[0, 1] [0, 1]
Z 1 Z 1
c) lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx d) none of the above
n→∞ 0 0

14 (a)
xn
15. Let fn (x) = ; x ∈ [0, 3]. Then
1 + xn
a) Convergence of hfn i is uniform on [0, 3] b) The limit function is continuous on [0, 3]
c) the limit function is bounded on [0, 3] d) The convergence is not pointwise on [0, 3]

15 (c)
∞
X xn
16. The series of functions converges
1 + xn
n=1

a) uniformly on [0, 1] b) pointwise on [0, 1]

c) sum function on [0, 1] d) all of these

16 (a)

17. Let fn : [1, 2] → [0, 1] be given by fn (x) = (2 − x)n for all non-negative integers n. Let
f (x) = lim fn (x) for 1 ≤ x ≤ 2. Then which of the following is true?
n→∞

a) f is a continuous function on [1, 2] b) fn converges uniformly to f on [1, 2] as

n→∞
Z 2 Z 2
c) lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx d) For any a ∈ (1, 2) we have lim fn0 (a) 6=
n→∞ 1 1 n→∞
f 0 (a)

17 (c)

18. Let {bn } and {cn } be sequences of real numbers. Then a necessary and sufficient condition
for the sequence of polynomials fn (x) = bn x + cn x2 to converges uniformly to 0 on the
real line is

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

46 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
X ∞
X
a) lim bn = 0 and lim cn = 0 b) |bn | < ∞ and |cn | < ∞
n→∞ n→∞
n=1 n=1

c) There exists a positive integer N such that bn = 0 and cn = 0 for all n > N
d) lim cn = 0
n→∞

18 (c)
1
19. Which one of the statement is true for the sequence of functions: fn (x) = ,n =
n2 + x2
1, 2, . . . , x ∈ [1/2, 1]?

a) The sequence is monotonic and has 0 as the limit for all x ∈ [1/2, 1] as n → ∞
1
b) The sequence is not monotonic but has f (x) = as the limit as n → ∞
x2
1
c) The sequence is monotonic and has f (x) = as the limit as n → ∞
x2
d) The sequence is not monotonic but has 0 as the limit

19 (a)
2
20. For n ≥ 1, let fn (x) = xe−nx , x ∈ R. Then the sequence {fn } is

a) Uniformly convergent on R b) Uniformly convergent only on compact

subset of R
c) Bounded and not uniformly convergent d) A sequence of unbounded functions
on R
20 (a)
Z π/2 Z π/2
2n+1
21. Let fn (x) = n sin x cos x. Then the value of lim fn (x)dx− lim fn (x)dx
n→∞ 0 0 n→∞
is
1
a) 2 b) 0 c) − 12 d) −∞

21 (a)

22. Let {fn } be a sequence of continuous real-valued functions defined on [0, ∞). Suppose
fn (x) → f (x) for all x ∈ [0, ∞) and that f is integrable. Then
Z ∞ Z ∞
a) fn (x)dx → f (x)dx as n → ∞
0 0
Z 1 Z 1
b) If fn → f uniformly on [0, ∞),then fn (x)dx → f (x)dx
0 0
Z ∞ Z ∞
c) If fb → f uniformly on [0, ∞), then fn (x)dx → f (x)dx
0 0
Z 1
d) If |fn (x) − f (x)| → 0, then fn → f uniformly on [0, 1]
0

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47 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

22 (b)

23. Let f : R → R be strictly increasing continuous function. If han i is a sequence in [0, 1],
then the sequence hf (an )i is

a) increasing b) bounded c) convergent d) not necessarily bounded

23 (b)
∞
X 1
24. The series converges uniformly for
n2 + n3 x2
n=1

a) all x ∈ R b) x ≥ 0 c) x ∈ [0, 1] d) [a, ∞), a > 0

24 (a)

25. Which of the following conditions below imply that a function f : [0, 1] → R is necessarily
of bounded variation?

a) f is a monotone function on [0, 1] b) f is a continuous and monotone func-

tion on [0, 1]

c) f has a derivative at each x ∈ (0, 1) d) f has a bounded derivative on the inter-

val (0, 1)

25 (a), (b), (c)

26. Let f : R → [0, ∞) be a non-negative real valued continuous function. Let φn (x) =
k h k k + 1

f (x) ∈ ,
(
n if f (x) ≥ n

 n
if
, φn,k (x) = 2 2n 2n
h k k + 1  and gn (x) = φn (x) +
0 if f (x) < n 0

if f (x) ∈
6 ,
n
2n 2n
n2P−1
φn,k (x). As n ↑ ∞, which of the following are true?
k=0

a) gn (x) ↑ f (x) for every x ∈ R

b) Given any C > 0, gn (x) ↑ f (x) uniformly on the set {x : f (x) < C}
c) gn (x) ↑ f (x) uniformly for x ∈ R
d) Given any C > 0, gn (x) ↑ f (x) uniformly on the set {x : f (x) ≥ C}

26 (a), (b)
(
0 if x 6∈ An
27. Let An ⊆ R for n ≥ 1, and χn : R → {0, 1} be the function χn (x) = .
1 if x ∈ An
Let g(x) = lim supχn (x) and h(x) = lim χn (x)
n→∞ n→∞

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48 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

a) If g(x) = h(x) = 1,then there exists m such that for all n ≥ m we have x ∈ An
b) If g(x) = 1 and h(x) = 0. then there exist m such that for all n ≥ m we have x ∈ An
c) If g(x) = 1 and h(x) = 0 then there exists a sequence n1 , n2 , . . . of distinct integers
such that x ∈ Ank for all k ≥ 1
d) If g(x) = h(x) = 0 then there exists m such that for all n ≥ m we have x 6∈ An

27 (a), (c), (d)

28. Let {fn } be a sequence of continuous functions on R

Z ∞ Z ∞
a) If {fn } converges to f pointwise on R then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
n→∞ −∞ −∞
Z ∞ Z ∞
b) If {fn } converges to f uniformly on R then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
n→∞ −∞ −∞

c) If {fn } converges to f uniformly on R then f is continuous on R.

d) There exists a sequence of continuous functions {fn } on R, such that {fn } converges
Z ∞ Z ∞
to f uniformly on R, but lim fn (x)dx 6= f (x)dx
n→∞ −∞ −∞

28 (c), (d)
Rx
29. For n ≥ 1, let gn (x) = sin2 (x = n1 , x ∈ [0, ∞) and fn (x) = gn (t)dt. Then
0

a) {fn } converges pointwise to a function f on [0, ∞), but does not converge uniformly
on [0, ∞)
b) {fn } does not converge pointwise to nay function on [0, ∞)
c) {fn } converges uniformly on [0, 1]
d) {fn } converges uniformly on [0, ∞)

29 (c), (d)

30. Let t and a be positive real numbers. Define Ba = {x = (x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ) ∈ Rn |x21 + x22 +
· · · + x2n ≤ a2 }. Then for any compactly supported continuous function f on Rn which of
the following are correct?
Z Z Z Z
−n
a) f (tx)dx = f (x)t dx b) f (tx)dx = f (x)tdx
Ba Bt a Ba Bt na
Z Z Z Z
c) f (x+y)dx = f (x)dx for some d) f (tx)dx = f (x)tn dx
Rn Rn Rn Rn
y ∈ Rn
30 (a), (c)

31. Consider all sequences {fn } of real valued continuous functions on [0, ∞). Identify which
of the following statements are correct.

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49 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Z ∞ Z ∞
a) If {fn } converges to f pointwise on [0, ∞), then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
n→∞ 0 0
Z ∞ Z ∞
b) If {fn } converges to f uniformly on [0, ∞),then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
n→∞ 0 0

c) If {fn } converges to f uniformly on [0, ∞), then f is continuous on [0, ∞)

d) There exists a sequence of continuous functions {fn } on [0, ∞),such that {fn } con-
Z ∞ Z ∞
verges to f uniformly on [0, ∞) but lim fn (x)dx 6= f (x)dx
n→∞ 0 0

31 (c), (d)

32. Find out which of the following series converge uniformly for x ∈ (−π, π)
∞ −n|x| ∞ ∞   ∞
X e X sin(xn) X x n X 1
a) b) c) d)
n3 n5 n ((x + π)n)2
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1

32 (a), (b), (c)

33. Which one of the following is not uniformly convergent for all x ∈ R ?
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X cos nx X cos nx X sin nx X sin nx
a) b) c) d) √
n2 n3 n2 n
n=1 n=1 n=1 n=1

33 (d)

34. Let fn (x) = (−x)n , x ∈ [0, 1]. Then decide which of the following are true.

a) There exist a pointwise convergent sub sequence of fn

b) fn has no pointwise convergent sub sequence
c) fn converges pointwise everywhere.
d) fn has exactly one pointwise convergent sub sequence

34 (a)
∞
X
35. The series 2−n sin(2n x)
n=0

a) converges pointwise on R but not uniformlyb) converges uniformly on R

π
c) converges uniformly on [0, ] but not d) does not converge pointwise on R
2
on R

35 (b)
√
36. Let fn (x) = x2 + n−2 ; ∀x ∈ R and n ∈ N. Then

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50 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

a) hfn (x)i converges to x uniformly only b) hfn (x)i converges pointwise to |x| on
on a finite interval of R R but not uniformly there

c) hfn (x)i converges to |x| uniformly on d) hfn (x)i converges pointwise to x on R

R
36 (b)
∞
φn (x), where φn (x) = (1 − x)n , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.
P
37. If a function f (x) be such that f (x) =
n=0
Then

a) the series does not converge uniformly on [0, 1]

b) f (x) is continuous on [0, 1]
c) the series may or may not converge uniformly on [0, 1]
d) the series converges uniformly on 0, 1] to x on R

37 (a)
2x2
38. Let fn [0, 1] → R be given by fn (x) = ; n ∈ N. Then the sequence {fn }
x2 + (1 − 2nx)2

a) converges uniformly on [0, 1].

b) does not converge uniformly on [0, 1] but has a subsequence that converges uniformly
on [0, 1]

c) does not converge pointwise on [0, 1]

d) converges pointwise [0, 1] but does not has a sequence that converges uniformly on
[0, 1]
38 (d)
n
x X
39. Let fn (x) = and sn (x) = fj (x) for x ∈ [0, 1]. Then the
{(n − 1)x + 1}(nx + 1)
j=1
sequence {sn }

a) converges uniformly on [0, 1]. b) converges pointwise on [0, 1] but not uniformly
c) converges pointwise for x = 0 but not d) does not converge for x ∈ [0, 1].
for x ∈ [0, 1]
39 (b)

40. Let f be uniformly continuous on R and han i converges to a in R. Let fn (x) = f (x + an )

for all x ∈ R. Then

a) hfn (x)i is only pointwise convergent b) hfn (x)i is uniformly convergent in R

c) hfn (x)i is divergent sequence d) hfn (x)i is only bounded but not point-
wise convergent

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51 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

40 (b)
1
41. Let f : R → R be a non-zero function such that |f (x)| ≤ for all x ∈ R. Defiune
1 + 2x2
∞
P
real valued functions fn on R for all n ∈ N by fn (x) = f (x + n). Then the series fn (x)
n=1
converges uniformly

a) on [0, 1] but not on [−1, 0] b) on [−1, 0] but not on [0, 1]

c) on both [0, 1] and [−1, 0] d) neither on [0, 1] nor on [−1, 0]

41 (c)
sin nx
42. Let fn (x) = √ ; n ∈ N and x ∈ R. Then as lim fn (x) =,
n n→∞

a) 0 b) a continuous function
c) a bounded function d) does not exist

42 (d)
sin nx
43. Let fn (x) = √ ; n ∈ N and x ∈ [−1, 1]. Then as n → ∞,
n
Z n
a) hfn i does not converge uniformly in [−1, 1]b) lim fn (x)dx 6= 0
n→∞ −1

c) hfn0 (x)i does not converge uniformly in d) fn (x), n ∈ N is not uniformly continu-
[−1, 1] ous in [−1, 1]
43 (c)
∞
X sin nx
44. The series √ ; n ∈ N converges uniformly on
n=1
n
h π 3π i
a) [5, 2π − 5] b) [10, 2π − 10] c) , d) does not converge
2 2
uniformly
44 (c)
∞
X cos nx
45. The series ; n ∈ N converges uniformly on
n
n=1
h π 7π i
a) [10, 2π − 10] b) [4, 2π − 4] c) , d) none of these
4 4
45 (c)
1
46. Let fn (x) = for n ∈ N, x ∈ R. Which of the following are true ?
1 + n2 x2
a) fn converges uniformly on [0, 1] b) fn converges pointwise on [0, 1] to a con-
tinuous function
Z 1 Z 1
c) fn converges uniformly on [ 12 , 1] d) lim fn (x)dx = ( lim fn (x))dx
n→∞ 0 0 n→∞

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52 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

46 (c), (d)

47. Let Cc (R) = {f : R → R| f is continuous and there exists a compact set K such that
2
f (x) = 0 for all x ∈ K c }. Let g(x) = e−x for all x ∈ R. For which of the following
statements are true?

a) There exists a sequence {fn } in Cc (R) such that fn → g uniformly.

b) There exists a sequence {fn } in Cc (R) such that fn → g pointwise
c) If a sequence in Cc (R) converges pointwise to g then it must converge uniformly to g
d) There does not exist any sequence in Cc (R) converging pointwise to g.

47 (a), (b)

48. Which of the following sequence hfn (x)i of functions does not converge uniformly on
[0, 1]?
e−x x2 + nx sin(nx + n)
a) b) (1 − x)n c) d)
n n n
48 (b)

49. Let fn : [1, 2] → [0, 1] be given by fn (x) = (2 − x)n ; n ∈ N. Let f (x) = lim fn (x),
n→∞
1 ≤ x ≤ 2. Then which of the following is true?

a) f is continuous function on [1, 2] b) fn converges uniformly to f on [1, 2]

Z 2 Z 2
c) lim fn (x) dx = f (x) dx d) ∀a ∈ (1, 2), lim fn0 (a) 6= f 0 (a)
n→∞ 1 1 n→∞

49 (d)
x2n
50. Let fn : [−1, 1] → R be given by fn (x) = ; n ∈ N and f (x) = lim fn (x). Let
1 + x2n n→∞
f (x) = lim fn (x), 1 ≤ x ≤ 2. Then
n→∞

a) f is continuous function on [−1, 1] b) fn → f uniformly to on [−1, 1]

c) f is integrable on [−1, 1] d) none of these

50 (c)

51. Let fn (x) = n2 x2 e−nx ; n ∈ N and x ≥ 0. Then hfn i converges uniformly on

a) [0, ∞) b) [a, ∞) for a > 0

c) convergence is not uniform anywhere d) each fn is discontinuous

51 (b)

52. Let fn (x) = log(n2 + x2 ); n ∈ N and x ∈ R. Then

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53 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

a) hfn i converges uniformly on R b) hfn0 i converges uniformly on R

c) hfn i converges pointwise on R d) hfn0 i is not convergent on R

52 (b)
∞
X (−1)n x2n
53. The series is uniformly convergent for all x ∈ R if p is
np (1 + x2n )
n=1

1 3
a) 0 b) c) d) 2
2 4
53 (d)
∞
X cos nx
54. If the series converges uniformly on R. Then a value of p is
np
n=1

2 3
a) 1 b) c) d) −1
3 2
54 (c)
∞
X sin nx
55. If the series converges uniformly on R. Then a value of p is
np
n=1

7 5 1
a) 1 b) c) d)
5 7 2
55 (b)

[Short Answer Type Questions]

1. Find the limit function f , for the following sequence hfn i of functions
x
(a) fn (x) = ; 0 ≤ x < ∞. Ans: f (x) = 0, ∀x ∈ [0, ∞)
1 + nx
(b) fn (x) = n2 x(1 − x2 )n ; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Ans: f (x) = 0
nx
(c) fn (x) = ; x ∈ R. Ans: f (x) = 0, ∀x ∈ R
1 + n2 x2
cos nx
(d) fn (x) = ; x ∈ R+ . Ans: f (x) = 0, ∀x ∈ R+
n
x2n
(e) fn (x) = ; x ∈ R. Ans: f (x) = 0, |x| < 1, 12 , |x| = 1, 1, |x| > 1
1 + x2n
x4n
(f) fn (x) = ; x ∈ [−1, 1]. Ans: f (x) = 0, |x| < 1, 21 , x = ±1
1 + x4n
2. Use the definition to examine uniform convergence of the sequence hfn (x)i on [0, ∞),
where fn (x) =
x
a) b) xe−nx c) n2 x2 e−nx
x+n
Ans : a) NUC b) UC c) NUC

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54 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

3. Discuss the uniform convergence of the following sequence of functions hfn (x)i defined by
setting fn (x) =
x nx
a) ; x ∈ [0, 1] b) ; x ∈ [0, 1] c) xe−nx ; x ≥ 0
1 + nx2 1 + n3 x2
(
nx; 0 ≤ x ≤ n1
d)
1; n1 < x ≤ 1

Ans : a) UC b) UC c) UC d) NUC

4. Study the uniform convergence on [0, 1] of the sequence of functions hfn (x)i, defined by
setting fn (x) =
1 x2
a) b) c) xn (1 − x)
1 + (nx − 1)2 x2 + (nx − 1)2
nx2
d) nxn (1 − x) e) n3 xn (1 − x)4 f)
1 + nx
1
g)
1 + xn
5. Study the uniform convergence of hfn (x)i on A and B, defined by setting fn (x) =
h i h i
a) cosn x(1 − cosn x); A = 0, π2 , B = π4 , π2
h i
b) cosn x sin2n x; A = R, B = 0, π4
∞
X cos nx
6. A function f defined by f (x) = , x ∈ R. Show that f is continuous for any
10n
n=1
x ∈ R.
∞
X
7. Prove or disprove: 2−n cos(3n x) represents an everywhere continuous function.
n=1
∞
∞
P X an xn
8. If an is absolutely convergent, prove that the series converges uniformly
n=1 1 + x2n
n=1
for all x ∈ R.
∞
X 1
9. Show that √ is uniformly convergent throughout the positive x-axis.
n=1
2n−1 1 + nx
∞
P
10. Discuss the convergence and uniform convergence of the series un (x), where un (x) is
n=1
given by
1 1 x
a) ;x ∈ R b) ; x ∈ R/{0} c) sin ;x ∈ R
x + n2
2 n x2
2 n2
1 xn (−1)n
d) n ; x ∈ R/{0} e) ;x ≥ 0 f) ;x ≥ 0
x +1 1 + xn n+x
1
g) rn sin nx; 0 < r < 1, x ∈ h) 3 ;x ∈ R
n + n4 x2
R

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55 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Ans : a) UC b) NUC c) UC on |x| ≤ a, a > 0 d) UC on [a, ∞], a > 1 e) NUC f) NUC g)

UC h) UC
[nf (x)]
11. For a function f defined on [a, b] set fn (x) = ; n ∈ N and x ∈ [a, b]. Show that
n
hfn (x)i converges uniformly to f (x) on [a, b].
∞ h
X cos(n2 x) i
12. Examine whether 4−n sin(3n πx) + is uniformly convergent on R, where
n=p
pn
∞
P
p is a positive integer ≥ 2. Hints : If the given series is of the form un (x), then
n=p
1 1
|un (x)| ≤ n + n = Mn .
4 p
13. Find where the following series converge pointwise:
∞ ∞
X 1 X xn
a) ; x 6= −1 b) ; x 6= −1
1 + xn 1 + xn
n=1 n=1
∞ ∞
X 2n+ xn 1 X xn−1
c) n n
; x 6= − d) ; x 6= −1, 1
1+3 x 3 (1 − xn )(1 − xn+1 )
n=1 n=1
∞ n−1 ∞ 
X x2 X ln x x
e) 2n
; x 6= −1, 1 f)
1−x n
n=1 n=2
X∞ X∞ p
g) xln n ; x > 0 h) sin2 (2π n2 + x2 )
n=1 n=0

14. Study the uniform convergence of the following series on the given set A:
∞ h
X π  i 1 1
a) − tan−1 n2 (1 + x2 ) ; A = R Hints: tan−1 < 2 <
2 n2 (1 2
+x ) n (1 + x2 )
n=2
1
= Mn
n2
∞
X ln(1 + nx) 1
b) ; A = [2, ∞) Hints: Mn =
nxn 2n−1
n=1
∞
X 2 |x| 4
c) n2 x2 e−n ; A = R Hints: Mn =
e 2 n2
n=1
∞
(
X  n−1 1; x ∈ [−1, 1]/{0}
d) x2 1 − x2 ; A = [−1, 1] Hints: f (x) = is not
n=1
0; x=0
continuous
∞
X n2  n  1 n2
e) √ x + x−n ; A = {x ∈ R : ≤ |x| ≤ 2} Hints: Mn = √ 2n+1
n! 2 n!
n=1
∞
X 1
f) 2n sin ; A = (0, ∞)
3n x
n=1
∞
X  x2  a2
g) ln 1 + ; A = (−a, a), a > 0 Hints: M n =
n=2
n ln2 n n ln2 n

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56 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Ans : a) UC b) UC c) UC d) NUC e) UC f) NUC g) UC

∞
X x
15. Study the continuity on [0, ∞) of the function f defined by f (x) = .
{(n − 1)x + 1}(nx + 1)
( n=1
1; x > 1
Hints: f (x) = is not continuous
0; x = 0

16. Study the continuity of the sum of the following series on the domain of its pointwise con-
vergence:
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
X xn X 2
X X
a) sin(nx) b) xn c) n2n xn d) lnn (x + 1)
n!
n=0 n=0 n=1 n=1

Ans : a) Converges absolutely on R and the sum function is also continuous on R b)

Converges absolutely on (−1, 1) and the sum function is also continuous on (−1, 1) c)
Converges absolutely on (−1/2, 1/2) and the sum function is also continuous on (−1/2, 1/2)
d) Converges absolutely on ( 1e − 1, e − 1) and the sum function is also continuous on
( 1e − 1, e − 1)
∞
X x sin(n2 x)
17. Show that the series converges pointwise to a continuous function on R.
n2
n=1
∞  √
X   n
18. Determine whether the series x converges pointwise, and study the continuity of
n=1
the sum. Ans : Converges in (0, 1) and the sum function is also continuous there.

19. Let φ be continuous on [0, 1]. Then the sequence hfn i defined by fn (x) = xn φ(x) converges
uniformly on [0, 1] if and only if φ(1) = 0.
√
20. Verify that the sequence hfn (x)i, where fn (x) = n sin 4π 2 n2 + x2 converges uniformly
on [0, a], a > 0. Does hfn (x)i converge uniformly on R ?
∞
X
21. (a) Suppose that the series un (x); x ∈ A, converges uniformly on A and that s : A →
n=1
∞
P
R is bounded. Prove that the series s(x)un (x) converges uniformly on A.
n=1
(b) Show by example that boundedness of s is essential. Under what assumption concern-
X∞
ing s does the uniform convergence of the series s(x)un (x) imply the uniform
n=1
∞
P
convergence of un (x) on A?
n=1

22. Assume that hfn (x)i is a sequence of functions defined on A and such that

a) fn (x) ≥ 0 for x ∈ A and n ∈ N b) fn (x) ≥ fn+1 (x) for x ∈ A and n ∈ N

c) supx∈A fn (x) −→ 0 as n → ∞.

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57 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
X
Prove that (−1)n+1 fn (x) converges uniformly on A. Hints : For x ∈ A, the series
n=1
∞
X
(−1)n fn (x) converges by the Leibnitz Theorem. Moreover,
n=1
∞
 X 
sup |Rn (x)| = sup  (−1)k+1 fk (x) ≤ sup fn+1 (x)
 
x∈A x∈A k=n+1 x∈A

23. Prove that the following series converge uniformly on R:

∞ ∞ ∞
X (−1)n+1 X (−1)n+1 X (−1)n+1
a) b) √ c) √
n + x2 3
n + x2 + x2 n + cos x
n=1 n=1 n=2

Hints : Use the Exercise 22.

24. Determine the domain A of pointwise convergence and the domain B of absolute conver-
gence of the series given below. Moreover, study the uniform convergence on the indicated
set C.
∞ ∞
X 1 n n
h
1 1
i X 1  x + 1 n
a) 2 (3x − 1) ; C = 6 , 3 b) , C = [−2, −1]
n n x
n=1 n=1
h   
Ans: a) A = 16 , 21 and B = 61 , 12 UC on C b) A = (−∞, − 21 ] and B =
(−∞, − 12 ), UC on C

25. Assume that the functions fn , gn : A → R, n ∈ N, satisfy the following conditions:

∞ 
X 
(a) the series fn+1 (x) − fn (x) is uniformly convergent on A
 
n=1
(b) sup |fn (x)| → 0 as n → ∞
x∈A
n
P
(c) the sequence hGn (x)i, where Gn (x) = gk (x), is uniformly bonded on A.
k=1
∞
X
Prove that the series fn (x)gn (x) is uniformly convergent on A.
n=1

26. Show that the following series converge uniformly on the indicated set A:
∞ ∞
X xn X sin(nx)
a) (−1)n+1 ; A = [0, 1] b) ; A = [α, 2π−α], 0 < α <
n n
n=1 n=1
π
∞ ∞
X sin(n2 x) sin(nx) X sin(nx) tan−1 (nx)
c) ;A = R d) ; A = [α, 2π −
n + x2 n
n=1 n=1
α], 0 < α < π
∞ ∞
X 1 X e−nx
e) (−1)n+1 ; A = [a, ∞), a > 0 f) (−1)n+1 √ ; A = [0, ∞)
nx n + x2
n=1 n=1

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58 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

27. Let f, fn : [0, 1] → R be continuous functions. Compute the following sentence such that
both statements (a) and (b) below are true: Let fn → f :
Z 1 Z 1
a) lim fn (x)dx = f (x) dx b) lim lim fn (x) = lim lim fn (x)
n→→∞ 0 0 n→→∞ x→0 x→0 n→→∞

Ans : 27 Uniformly on [0, 1]

28. Let fn (x) = xn for n ∈ N. Which of the following statements are ture?

a) The sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on [ 41 , 12 ]

b) The sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on [0, 1]
c) The sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on (0, 1)

Ans : 28 (a)

29. Give examples to illustrate that all the hypotheses in Dini’s Theorem (Theorem 5) are es-
sential.

30. Let hrn i be a sequence consisting of all(the rational numbers and for n = 1, 2, · · · , we
1; x = rn
define the functions fn on R by fn (x) = . Prove that hfn (x)i converges
0; otherwise
pointwise but not uniformly on every interval of R.

[Long Answer Type Questions]

1. Determine whether the sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on A, defined by setting
fn (x) =
2x  x2 
a) tan−1 ;A = R b) n ln 1 + ;A = R
x + n3
2 n
1 + nx p
2n
c) n ln ; A = (0, ∞) d) 1 + x2n ; A = R
nx
p √
e) n 2n + |x|n ; A = R f) n + 1 sinn x cos x; A = R
√
g) n( n x − 1); A = [1, a], a > 1

2. Prove that for the sequence hfn i, fn → f pointwise on a point set E ⊂ R, the convergence
is uniform.

3. (a) Suppose that hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N converges to f uniformly on E and that each fn is
bounded on E. Show that hf ni is uniformly bounded; i.e., there is an M > 0 such
that |fn (x)| ≤ M for all n ∈ N and all x ∈ E.
1 x
(b) Let fn (x) = + for all x ∈ (0, 1]. Show that hfn i converges uniformly to f (x) =
x n
x−1 on (0, 1] and yet the fn and f are all unbounded on (0, 1].

4. Let E ⊂ R and hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N . Prove that, a sequence of functions hfn (x)in defined on
E0 converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E if and only if corresponding to an  > 0, ∃N0 () ∈ N
 
such that fn+p (x) − fn (x) < , for n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ E0 .

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59 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

5. Prove that, a sequence hfnn i ∈ F(E; R)N , where Eo⊂ R; converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E
if and only if lim sup |fn (x) − f (x)| : x ∈ E0 = 0.
n−→∞

6. Prove that, a sequence hfn i ∈ F(E; R)N , where E ⊂ R; converges uniformly on E0 ⊂ E

if and only if, corresponding to an ε > 0, ∃N = N (ε) ∈ N, depends on ε only, such that
n o
sup |fm (x) − fn (x)| : x ∈ E0 < ε; whenever m, n ≥ N

7. Find the convergence set of each of the following sequences hfn (x)i of functions on [0, 1]
 n
2 n x
a) fn (x) = n x (1 − x) b) fn (x) = 1 + n c) fn (x) = nx(1 − x)n .
6
y6 y6
y f1

1 f2
f1
x - x
- x
-
O (a) O (b) 1 O (c) 1

Figure 16: Figures of fn (x)

as depicted in the Figures 16 (a), (b) and (c) respectively. Also find sets on which these
converge uniformly.

8. If a sequence of functions hfn i converges uniformly to f on [a, b] and g is a bounded func-

tion on [a, b], show that the sequence of functions hgfn i converges uniformly to gf on [a, b].

9. If a sequence of functions hfn i converges uniformly on [a, b] to a function f and if c ∈ [a, b]

such that lim fn (x) = αn , n ∈ N, show that the sequence hαn i is convergent.
n→c

10. If hfn i be a sequence of continuous real valued functions converging uniformly to f on a

set E(⊂ R). Show that lim fn (xn ) = f (x) for any sequence hαn i in E converging to a
n→∞
point x in E.

11. Suppose K is a compact set and let hfn (x)i be a sequence of continuous functions converg-
ing pointwise to a continuous functions f and fn ≥ fn+1 , then fn → f uniformly. Hints :
Theorem 5

12. (Dini’s Theorem of uniform convergence of a series of functions) Let I ⊂ R be a compact

interval and suppose that hun i ∈ F(E; R)N is a sequence of continuous functions such
∞
P
that the series un converging pointwise to a continuous function s : I → R. If the
n=1
fn is increasing (i.e., un (x) ≤ un+1 (x) for all x ∈ I and n ∈ N) or decreasing (i.e.,
∞
P
un (x) ≥ un+1 (x) for all x ∈ I and n ∈ N), then prove that un converges to s uniformly
n=1
on I.

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60 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

13. For each n ≥ 1, let fn (x) be a monotonic increasing real valued function on [0, 1] such that
the sequence hfn (x)i converges pointwise to a function f ≡ 0. Pick out the true statements
from the following:

a) Sequence hfn (x)i converges to f uniformly

b) If the functions fn are non-negative, then fn must be continuous for sufficiently large
(
0; x ∈ [0, 1)
n Hints : fn (x) = 1
n; x=1

Ans: 13 (a)

14. Let fn and f be continuous functions on an interval [a, b] and assume that fn → f uniformly
on [a, b]. Pick out the true statements:

a) If fn is Riemann-integrable, then f is Riemann-integrable.

b) If f is continuously differentiable, then f is continuously differentiable.Hints : fn (x) =
r
1
x2 + 2 in [−1, 1]
n
c) If xn → x in [a, b], then fn (x) → f (x).

Ans: 14 (a), (c)

15. Pick out the sequence hfn i which are uniformly convergent NBHM’09
sin nx
a) fn (x) = nxe−nx on (0, ∞)b) fn (x) = xn on [0, 1] c) fn (x) = √ on R
n
Ans: 15 (c)

16. Test the following for uniformly convergent

D xn E ∞
X sin nx
a) The sequence of functions n
i b) The series f (x) = over [0, 2]
1+x n2 + 1
n=1
over [0, 2]
D E
c) The sequence of functions n2 x2 e−nx i over (0, 1)

Ans: 16 (b)

17. In each of the following cases, examine whether the given sequence (or series) of functions
converges uniformly over the given domain NBHM’11
∞
nx X n sin nx xn
a) fn (x) = ;x ∈ b) ; x ∈ [0, π] c) fn (x) = ;x ∈
1 + nx en 1 + xn
n=1
(0, 1) [0, 2]
Ans: 17 (b)

18. Which of the following sequence (or series) of functions are uniformly convergent on [0, 1]
? NBHM’13

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61 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

∞
 n X cos(n6 x)
a) fn (x) = cos(πn!x) b) f (x) = c) fn (x) = n2 x(1 − x2 )n
n3
n=1

Ans: 18 (b)
1h  1 i
19. Let gn (x) = f x + − f (x) , where f : R → R a continuous function. Which of the
n n
following statements are ture? NBHM’14

a) If f (x) = x3 , then gn → f 0 uniformly on R as n → ∞

b) If f (x) = x2 , then gn → f 0 uniformly on R as n → ∞
c) If f is differentiable and f 0 is uniformly continuous on R, then gn → f 0 uniformly on
R as n → ∞

Ans: 19 (b)

20. Which of the following statements are true ? NBHM’14

∞
X x2
a) The series does not converge uniformly on R
1 + n2 x2
n=1
∞
X x2
b) The series converges uniformly on R
1 + n2 x2
n=1
∞
X sin nx2
c) The sum of the series defines a continuously differentiable function on R
1 + n2
n=1

Ans: 20 (b), (c)

21. Which of the following statements are true ? NBHM’17

∞ π
x2
Z
X sin nx
a) The series is UC on [−1, 1] b) lim =π
(1 + x2 )n n→∞ π/2 nx5
n=1
∞
X sin nx2
c) Define x ∈ R, f (x) = , then f is a continuously differentiable function.
1 + n3
n=0

Ans: 21 (c)

22. Let hfn (x)i be a sequence of continuous functions defined on [0, 1]. Assume that fn (x) →
f (x) for each x ∈ [0, 1]. Which of the following conditions imply that this convergence is
uniform ? NBHM’18

a) The function f is continuous b) fn (x) ↓ f (x) for every x ∈ [0, 1] Hints

: fn (x) = 1 − x1/n

c) The function f is continuous and fn (x) ↓ f (x) for every x ∈ [0, 1] Hints : Dini’s
Theorem 5

Ans: 22 (c)

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62 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

23. Which of the following statements are true ? NBHM’19

a) The sequence of functions hfn (x)i, defined by fn (x) = xn (1 − x), is uniformly

convergent on [0, 1]
 x2 
b) The sequence of functions hfn (x)i, defined by fn (x) = n log 1 + , is uniformly
n
convergent on R
∞
X 1
c) The series 2n sin is uniformly convergent on [1, ∞)
3n x
n=1

Ans: 23 (a), (c)

24. Test the uniform convergence of the sequence of functions hfn i, defined by fn : [−k, k] →
log(1 + n2 x2 )
R, where, fn (x) = ; x ∈ [−k, k], k > 0.
n
25. Show that the sequence fn : x → xn converges for each x ∈ I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1} but that
the convergence is not uniform.

26. In each of the following problems, show that the sequence hfn i converges to f for each
x ∈ I and determine whether or not the convergence is uniform:
2x
(a) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
1 + nx
cos nx
(b) fn : x −→ √ ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
n
n3 x
(c) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
1 + n4 x
n3 x
(d) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : a ≤ x < ∞, a > 0}
1 + n4 x2
nx2
(e) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ x; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
1 + nx
1 1 x 1
(f) fn : x −→ √ + cos ; f (x) ≡ √ ; I = {x : 0 < x ≤ 2}
x n n x
sin nx
(g) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 < x < ∞}
2nx √
(h) fn : x −→ xn (1 − x) n; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
1 − xn 1 1 1
(i) fn : x −→ ; f (x) ≡ ; I = {x : − ≤ x ≤ }
1−x 1−x 2 2
2
(j) fn : x −→ nxe−nx ; f (x) ≡ 0; I = {x : 0 ≤ x ≤ 1}
∞
X
27. (a) (xe−x )n ; x ∈ [0, 2]
n=1
X sin(x2 + n2 x)
(b)
n(n + 1)
∞
X x2n
(c) (−1)n
np (1 + x2n )
n=1

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63 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

x4 x4 x4
28. Show that the series x4 + + + +· · · is not uniformly convergent
1 + x4 (1 + x4 )2 (1 + x4 )3
on [0, 1].

29. Prove that if a series of continuous functions converges uniformly then the sum function is
also continuous.

30. Formulate and prove a result about the derivative of the sum of a convergent series of dif-
ferentiable functions.

31. Let hun i be a sequence of R-integrable functions on a compact interval [a, b] ⊂ R. If the
∞
X
infinite series un converges uniformly to sum s on [a, b], then
n=1

(a) s ∈ R[a, b], i.e., s is R-integrable on [a, b], and

Z x Z xhX ∞ i X∞ hZ x i
(b) s(t)dt = un (t) dt = un (t)dt
a a n=1 n=1 a

32. Let hfn (x)i be a sequence of functions in C 1 [0, 1] such that fn (0) = 0 for all n ∈ N. Which
of the following statements are true ? NBHM’19

a) If the sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on [0, 1], then the limit function is in
C 1 [0, 1]
b) If the sequence hfn0 (x)i is uniformly convergent over [0, 1], then the sequence hfn (x)i
is also uniformly convergent over the same interval.
c) If the sequence hfn (x)i converges uniformly on [0, 1], then the limit function is in
C 1 [0, 1]
∞
X
d) If the series fn0 (x) converges uniformly on [0, 1] to a function g, then g is Riemann
n=1
Z 1 ∞
X
integrable and g(t)dt = fn (x)
0 n=1

Ans: 32 (b), (c)

33. Let {r1 , r2 , · · · , rn , · · · } be an enumeration

( of the rationals in the interval [0, 1]. Define, for
1; if x ∈ {r1 , r2 , · · · }
n ∈ N, and for each x ∈ [0, 1] fn (x) = Which of the following
0; otherwise
statements are true? NBHM’19

a) The function fn is Riemann integrable over [0, 1] for each n ∈ N

b) The sequence hfn (x)i is pointwise convergent and the limit function is Riemann in-
(
1; if x ∈ Q
tegrable over the interval [0, 1] Hints : f (x) =
0; otherwise

c) The sequence hfn (x)i is pointwise convergent but the limit function is not Riemann
integrable over [0, 1]

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64 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Ans: 33 (c)

34. Let hfn i be a sequence of continuous real valued functions defined on R converging uni-
formly on R to a function f . Which of the following statements are true? NBHM’16

a) If each of the functions fn is bounded, then f is also bounded.

b) If each of the functions fn is uniformly continuous, then f is also uniformly continuous.
Z ∞ Z ∞
c) If each of the functions fn is integrable, then lim fn (x) dx = f (x)dx.
n→∞ −∞ −∞

Ans: 34 (a),(b)

35. Let hfn (x)i be a sequence of non-negative continuous functions defined on [0, 1]. Assume
that fn (x) → f (x) for each x ∈ [0, 1]. Which of the following conditions imply that
Z 1 Z 1
lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx ? NBHM’18
n→∞ ) 0

a) fn (x) ↑ f (x) for every x ∈ [0, 1]

b) fn (x) ≤ f (x) for every x ∈ [0, 1]. Hints : Actually the limit of non-negative
continuous functions may not be R integrable function but the additional condition
fn (x) ≤ f (x) makes not only f R integrable but the limit of integration is also
convergent.

c) The function f is continuous Hints : Consider the functions fn : [0, 1] → R, defined

(
n − n2 x; if 0 < x < n1
by fn (x) =
0; otherwise

Ans: 35 (a), (b)

36. Let hfn i be a sequence of bounded real valued functions on [0, 1] converging to f at all
points of this interval. Which of the following statements are ture? NBHM’14
Z 1 Z 1
a) If fn and f are all continuous, then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx Hints : Example
n→∞ 0 0
10
Z 1 Z 1
b) If fn → f uniformly, on [0, 1], then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx. Hints : Theo-
n→∞ 0 0
rem 14
Z 1  Z 1 Z 1
c) If fn (x) − f (x)dx → 0 and n →→ ∞, then lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
 
0 n→∞ 0 0
 Z 1 Z 1  Z 1
Hints : Using the inequality  lim fn (x)dx − f (x)dx ≤ lim |fn (x) −
 
n→∞ 0 0 n→∞ 0
f (x)| dx

Ans: 36 (b),(c)

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65 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Z 1
37. Let hfn (x)i and f be integrable functions on [0, 1] such that lim |fn (x)−f (x)|dx = 0.
n→∞ 0
Which of the following statements are true? NBHM’19

a) fn (x) → f (x), as n → ∞, for almost every x ∈ [0, 1]

Z 1 Z 1
b) lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx
n→∞ 0 0

c) If hgn (x)i is a uniformly bounded sequence of continuous functions converging point-

Z 1
wise to a function g, then |fn (x)gn (x) − f (x)g(x)|dx = 0 as n → ∞
0

Ans: 37 (b), (c)

38. Let hfn i be a sequences of continuous real valued functions defined on [a, b] and also let
han i and hbn i be two sequences on [a, b] such that lim an = a and lim bn = b. If hfn i
n→∞ n→∞
Z bn Z b
converges uniformly to f on [a, b], then show that lim fn (x)dx = f (x)dx.
n→∞ a a
n
(
an+1 ; if x = n ∈ [0, 2014] ∩ Z
39. Let f (x) = , where han i is a real sequence. Is f
0; otherwise
Z 2014
integrable on [0, 2014]? If so, find f (x)dx. Ans: 0
0

1
n2 x;


 0≤x≤ n

1 2
40. Let hfn i be a sequence defined by fn (x) = 2n − n2 x; n <x≤ n for ∀n ≥ 2 . Then


2
<x≤1

0; n
show that

(a) The sequence hfn i is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1].

(b) each fn is Riemann integrable on [0, 1]
(c) hfn i has a pointwise limit f which is also Riemann integrable on [0, 1] and
Z 1 Z 1
(d) lim fn (x)dx 6= f (x)dx.
n→∞ 0 0
nx
41. For what values of p, the sequence hfn i defined on [0, 1] by fn (x) = (p > 0)
1 + n2 xp
for x ∈ [0, 1] converges uniformly on [0, 1]. Examine further for p = 2 and p = 4 if
Z 1 Z 1
lim fn (x)dx = lim fn (x)dx.
n→∞ 0 0 n→∞

42. Show that the sequence of functions hfn i defined on [0, 1] by fn (x) = n2 x(1 − x2 )n , n ∈ N
Z 1
for x ∈ [0, 1] converges pointwise to a function f on [0, 1]. By establishing lim fn (x)dx 6=
n→∞ 0
Z 1
f (x)dx, show that the sequence hfn i is not uniformly convergent on [0, 1].
0

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66 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

(
1 − nx; x ∈ [0, n1 ]
43. Show that for the sequence of continuous functions hfn i, where fn (x) =
0; x ∈ ( n1 , 1]
the pointwise limit function is not continuous in [0, 1] and hence deduce that lim { lim fn (x)} = 6
x→0 n→∞
lim { lim fn (x)}.
n→∞ x→0
Z x
t dt
44. Show that the sequence hfn i of functions defined by fn (x) = , x ≥ 0 converges
0 1 + n2 t
uniformly to 0 on [0, a), a > 0; but not on [0, ∞).

a)

5 The Weierstrass Approximation Theorem

The name Weierstrass has occurred frequently in this chapter. In fact Karl Weierstrass (1815-1897)
revolutionized analysis with his examples and theorems. This section is devoted to one of his most
striking results. We introduce it with a motivating discussion.

Definition 5. Bernstein polynomial : For f : [0, 1] −→ R, let Bn (f, x) be the Bernstein

polynomial of order n associated with the function f , defined by
n    
X n k k
Bn (f, x) = f x (1 − x)n−k . (6)
k n
k=0

The Bernstein polynomial of the continuous function f0 (x) = 1 is given by

n    
X n k k
Bn (f0 ) = f0 x (1 − x)n−k
k n
k=0
n  
X n k  n
= x (1 − x)n−k = x + (1 − x) = 1 (7)
k
k=0

The Bernstein polynomial of the continuous function f1 (x) = x is given by

n     n  
X n k k n−k
X n k k
Bn (f1 ) = f1 x (1 − x) = · x (1 − x)n−k
k n k n
k=0 k=0
n  
X n − 1 k−1  n−1
= x x (1 − x)n−k = x x + (1 − x) = x = f1 (x) (8)
k−1
k=1

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67 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

The Bernstein polynomial of the continuous function f2 (x) = x2 is given by

n    n  
X n k 2 k n−k
X k n−1
Bn (f2 ) = · x (1 − x) = · · xk (1 − x)n−k
k n n k−1
k=0 k=0
n n  
X k−1 n−1 1 o n−1
= · + · · xk (1 − x)n−k
n−1 n n k−1
k=0
n hn    
X 1o n − 2 1 n−1 i k
= 1− · + · x (1 − x)n−k
n k−2 n k−1
k=0
n   n  
 1X n − 2 k n−k 1 X 1 n−1 k
= 1− · x (1 − x) + x (1 − x)n−k
n k−2 n n k−1
k=2 k=1
 1 2 1  1 1
= 1− x + x= 1− f2 (x) + f1 (x) (9)
n n n n
This shows that the Bernstein polynomial Bn (f2 ) converges to f2 (x) on any bounded subset of R.
n
x(1 − x) X k  k 2
E XAMPLE 56. Prove that = x (1 − x)n−k x − .
n n
k=0

Solution: Differentiate both sides of Eq. (7), we obtain

n  h
X n i
0 = kxk−1 (1 − x)n−k + xk (n − k)(1 − x)n−k−1 · (−1)
k
k=0
n  
X n
= (k − nx)xk−1 (1 − x)n−k−1 (10)
k
k=0

Multiply both sides of Eq. (10) by x(1 − x), we get

n  
X n
0= (k − nx)xk (1 − x)n−k (11)
k
k=0

Differentiate both sides of Eq. (11), we obtain

n   n  
X n k X n n o
0 = −n x (1 − x)n−k + (k − nx) (k − nx)xk−1 (1 − x)n−k−1
k k
k=0 k=0
n  
X n
= −n + (k − nx)2 xk−1 (1 − x)n−k−1 (12)
k
k=0

Multiply both sides of Eq. (12) by x(1 − x), we get

n  
X n
0 = −nx(1 − x) + (k − nx)2 xk (1 − x)n−k
k
k=0
n  
X n
or, nx(1 − x) = (k − nx)2 xk (1 − x)n−k
k
k=0
n
x(1 − x) X  k 2
or, = xk (1 − x)n−k x − .
n n
k=0

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68 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

T HEOREM 18. For f : [0, 1] −→ R, let Bn (f, x) be the Bernstein polynomial of order n of the
function f as in Eq. (6). If f is continuous on [0, 1], then hBn (f, x)i converges uniformly on [0, 1]
to f .

Proof: Using the equality (7), we get

n  
X n k
f (x) = f (x) x (1 − x)n−k .
k
k=0

Consequently,
n    n
 k
  X
Bn (f, x) − f (x) ≤ f − f (x) xk (1 − x)n−k (13)
  
n k
k=0

By the uniform continuity of f on [0, 1], given ε > 0, there is δ > 0 such that

|f (x) − f (x0 )| < ε; whenever |x − x0 | < δ; x, x0 ∈ [0, 1]

Clearly, there is M > 0 such that |f (x)| ≤ M for x ∈ [0, 1]. Then the set {0, 1, 2, · · · , n} can be
n k  o n k  o
decomposed into the two sets : A = k :  − x < δ and B = k :  − x ≥ δ . If k ∈ A,
   
 k  n n
then f − f (x) < ε and so
 
n
X   k  n X n
k n−k
f − f (x) x (1 − x) <ε xk (1 − x)n−k ≤ ε (14)

n k k
x∈A x∈A

(k − nx)2
If k ∈ B, then ≥ 1, then
n2 δ 2
X   k  n
f − f (x) xk (1 − x)n−k

n k
k∈B
 
2M X 2 n M
≤ 2 2 (k − nx) xk (1 − x)n−k ≤ (15)
n δ k 2nδ 2
k∈B

This Equation (15) combined with Eqs. (13) and (14) yields
  M
Bn (f, x) − f (x) ≤ ε + ; x ∈ [0, 1]
 
2nδ 2
This proves the theorem. 2

T HEOREM 19 (Approximation theorem of Weierstrass). If f : [a, b] → R be a continuous function

on an interval [a, b], then for ε > 0 there is a polynomial p(x) such that

|f (x) − p(x)| < ; x ∈ [a, b]

In particular, there exists a sequence hpn (x)i of polynomial functions such that pn (x) −→ f (x)
on [a, b].

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69 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Proof: We know that for each n ∈ N, ∃ a polynomial pn (x) such that

1
|pn (x) − f (x)| < ; ∀x ∈ [a, b]
n
Taking n = 1, 2, 3, · · · , we get the sequence of polynomials hpn (x)i. Let ε > 0 be chosen
arbitrary. Choose N ∈ N such that N > 1ε . Then

1 1
|pn (x) − f (x)| < ≤ < ε; ∀n ≥ N and ∀x ∈ [a, b]
n N
N depends only on ε. Therefore, hpn (x)i converges uniformly to f on [a, b].
The geometrical significance of this this theorem lies in the fact that, the graph (Fig. 17) of the
y6
y = f (x) + ε

y = f (x)
y = pn (x)
y = f (x) − ε

-
x
Figure 17: The Weierstrass Approximation Theorem

polynomial pn (x) is confined within the region bounded by y = f (x) − ε and y = f (x) + ε for
all x ∈ (a, b). This theorem does not guarantee the existence of an polynomial, even if how to
construct the polynomial.

E XAMPLE 57. Let f ∈ C[0, 1]. Determine the cases where the given condition implies that f ≡ 0:
NBHM’07,’10
Z π Z π
n
a) x f (x)dx = 0 for all n ≥ 0 b) xn f (x) cos nxdx = 0 for all n ≥ 0
0 0
Z π
c) xn f (x) sin nxdx = 0 for all n ≥ 1
0

Solution: (a) For any given f ∈ C[0, 1], by Weierstrass polynomial approximation
Z π theorem, there
m
ak xk such that |f (x) − φ(x)| < ε. Since xn f (x)dx = 0 for all
P
exists a function φ(x) =
k=0 0
n ≥ 0, we have
Z π m
X Z π
φ(x)f (x)dx = ak xk f (x)dx = 0
0 k=0 0

Thus, as f is continuous on a compact set, it must be bounded (say bounded by M ). Consider

Z π Z π Z π
2
f (x) dx = f (x)[f (x) − φ(x)]dx + φ(x)f (x)dx
0 0 0
< εM π + 0

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70 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Z π
Since ε > 0 is arbitrary, we have f 2 (x) dx = 0, implies f ≡ 0 as it is continuous. So this
0
option is correct.
(b) Extend f to f e on [−π, π] so that f e (−x) = f (x) for x ∈ [0, π]. Then, we have
Z π Z π
e
f (x) cos nx dx = 2 f (x) cos nxdx = 0; n ≥ 0
−π 0
Z π
as fe and cos both are even functions. Similarly, we have f e (x) sin nx dx = 0, as sin is odd,
−π Z π
 e 2

e
n ≥ 1. Thus all the Fourier coefficients of f are zero. By Parseval’s theorem, f (x) dx =
−π
0. The continuity of f e then imply f e = 0. Because of f e = f on [0, π], we have f ≡ 0. Therefore
option (b) is also correct.
(c) This option is again correct, similarly as option (b).

Problem Set
Short answer type questions
1. Let P denote the set of all polynomials in the real variable x which varies over the interval
[0, 1]. What is the closure of P in C[0, 1] ? Ans : C[0, 1]
Hints : Weierstrass approximation theorem.

Long answer type questions

n
x(1 − x) X k  k 2
1. Establish the identity: = x (1 − x)n−k x − . Hints : Differentiate Eq.
n n
k=0
(7)
Z 1
2. Let f : [0, 1] −→ R be continuous. Assume that xn f (x)dx = 0 for n ∈ N, then prove
)
that f = 0.

3. Show that there exists no sequence of polynomials hpn i such that pn → f on R, where

a) f (x) = sin x b) f (x) = ex

4. Let f : R → R be continuous. Show that we can find a sequence of polynomials hpn i such
that pn → f on any bounded subset of R.
1
5. Let f : (0, 1) → R be defined by f (x) = . Show that there does not exist a sequence of
x
polynomials hpn i such that pn → f on (0, 1).

6. Keep the hypothesis of the Weierstrass approximation theorem, can we find a sequence of
P
polynomials hpn i such that pn = f on [0, 1] ?

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71 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

6 Sequence of Functions in a Compact Set

The following elementary lemma is needed to prove certain important theorems for the sequence
of complex functions in a compact set.

L EMMA 1. Suppose that the sequence

(i) hfn (x)i converges uniformly to f (x) on a compact set D and g(x) is a continuous function
on D. Then hg(x)fn (x)i converges to g(x)f (x) uniformly on D.

(ii) hun (x)i converges uniformly to S(x) on a compact set D and g(x) is a continuous function
∞
P
on D. Then g(x)un (x) converges to g(x)S(x) uniformly on D.
n=1

T HEOREM 20. Let hfn (x)i be a sequence of differentiable functions on a domain D. If fn (x) →
f (x) uniformly on every compact subset of D, then, for any k ≥ 1, fn(k) (x) → f (k) (x) for all
x ∈ D; i.e., the limit of the kth derivative
D isEthe kth derivative of the limit. Moreover, for each
(k)
k ≥ 1, the differentiated sequence fn (x) converges to f (k) (x) uniformly on every compact
subset of D.

Proof:

R ESULT 8. The above Theorem 20 does not hold if D is assumed to be an arbitrary set instead
n sin nx o
of a domain. The sequence converges uniformly to zero on the real axis; however, the
n n sin nz o
sequence of its derivative {cos nx} converges only at x = 0. Thus, the sequence cannot
n
converge uniformly on any domain containing points of the real axis.

Definition 6. A sequence hfn (x)i of differentiable functions of a domain D ⊆ C converges nor-

mally to the differentiable function f (z) on D if it converges uniformly to f (z) on each compact
subsets in D.

6.1 Convergence in the Space of Differentiable Functions

In this section, we shall prove two important theorems namely, Ascoli-Arzela theorem and the
Motel’s theorem which guarantees that, given a family F of functions in R that any sequence in
F have a uniformly convergent subsequence.

Definition 7. [ Equicontinuous]: Let F be a family of collection of functions, defined and contin-

uous and real-valued on a compact subset E ⊂ R. A function f ∈ F is continuous at x0 ∈ E if
given ε > 0, ∃δ = δ(f, x0 , ε) > 0 such that
 
|x − x0 | < δ and x ∈ E ⇒ f (x) − f (x0 ) < ε.
 

If δ, independent of f and depending on x0 and ε can be found ∀ε > 0, we say that the family F
is equicontinuous at x0 .

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72 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Definition 8. [ Uniformly bounded]: Let hfn i be a sequence of differentiable functions on a

domain D ⊂ R and let U ⊂ D. Then, we say that hfn i is uniformly bounded on U , if ∃ a M > 0
such that

|f (x)| ≤ M ; ∀x ∈ D and ∀ n ∈ N.

Let F be a family of collection of functions, defined and continuous and real-valued on a compact
subset E ⊂ R. We say that F is uniformly bounded on E if

|f (x)| ≤ M ; ∀x ∈ E and ∀f ∈ F

Definition 9. [Locally bounded]: A set F ⊂ H(D) is locally bounded if for each point α ∈ D,
there are constants M and ρ > 0 such that

|f (x)| ≤ M ; |x − α| < ρ for all f ∈ F

n o
i.e., sup |f (x)| : |x − α| < ρ, f ∈ F < ∞

That is, F is locally bounded if about a point α ∈ D, there is a interval on which F is uniformly
bounded, which immediately extends to the requirement that F is uniformly bounded on a compact
sets in D.

Definition 10. [ Normal convergence]: If a sequence of real functions hfn i converges on a com-
pact subsets, it is called normal convergence. If a sequence of functions is uniformly bounded on
compact subsets of the domain, it is said to be normally bounded.

T HEOREM 21. Ascoli-Arzela Theorem : Let F be a family of collection of continuous, real-

valued function on a compact subset E ⊂ R. Suppose F is uniformly bounded on E. Then the
followings are equivalent:

(i) F is equicontinuous at each point of E

D E D E
(ii) Every sequence fn ⊂ F has a uniformly convergent subsequence fnk

Proof: Let EQ be the set of points of E with rational coordinates as

n o
EQ = rn : rn ∈ Q = E ∩ Q

Since Q is countable and dense subset in E, then EQ is countable andD E QE = E. As EQ is

countable, we may enumerate the points of EQ by r1 , r2 , · · · , i.e., EQ = rn .
D E n≥1
Let fn be a sequence of F. Since F is uniformly bounded on each compact subset of E and
D E
hence it is pointwise bounded. Thus, if we consider fn (r1 ) , then it is a bounded sequence
n≥1
of real numbers,
D and so E |fn (r1 )|D ≤ M . EBy Bolzano-Weierstrass theorem, we have a convergent
subsequence fn1 (r1 ) of fn (r1 ) .
D n1 ≥1
E  
Now, consider fn1 (r2 ) . Again fn1 (r2 ) ≤ M and so by Bolzano-Weierstrass theo-
 
D n1 ≥1
E D E D E
rem, ∃ a subsequence fn2 (r2 ) of fn1 (r2 ) which converges. Note that fn2 (r1 ) also
n1 ≥1
converges.

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73 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

D E
By induction, we get for ∀n ≥ 1, a subsequence hfnk i of hfnk−1 i such that fnk (rj ) converges
for j ≤ k, and

hfn1 i ⊇ hfn2 i ⊇ · · · ⊇ hfnk−1 i ⊇ hfnk i ⊇ · · ·

We get a list of lists:

Converge at
fn1 : fi1 (r1 ) & fi2 (r1 ) fi3 (r1 ) ··· r1
fn2 : fj1 (r2 ) fj2 (r2 ) & fj3 (r3 ) ··· r1 , r2
fn3 : fk1 (r3 ) fk2 (r3 ) fk3 (r3 ) & ··· r1 , r2 , r3
.. .. ..
. . ··· .
D E ∞ D
T E
Consider the subsequence hFl i, where Fl = lth member of fnl , then hFl i ⊂ fnk , where
D E k=1 D E
fnl converge at the points r1 , r2 , r3 , · · · . If x ∈ EQ , then at x = rl and since fnl (rl )
D E
converges we have, the sequence Ft (rl ) converges.
t≥l
Since F is equicontinuous on E, so is hFl il≥1 . So given x0 ∈ E, and an ε > 0, ∃δ > 0 with
δ = δ(x0 , ε) such that
  ε
f (x) − f (x0 ) < , whenever |x − x0 | < δ, ∀f ∈ F (16)
 
3
n δ(x0 , ε) o
The collection |x − x0 | < : x0 ∈ E is an open cover of E, which is compact, so
2
admits a finite subcover:
n δ δ δ o
|x − ζ1 | < (ζ1 , ε); |x − ζ2 | < (ζ2 , ε); · · · , |x − ζk | < (ζk , ε)
2 2 2
n o n o n
Choose xi1 ∈ |x − ζ1 | < 2δ (ζ1 , ε) ; xi2 ∈ |x − ζ2 | < 2δ (ζ2 , ε) · · · ; xik ∈ |x − ζk | <
o D E
δ
2 (ζk , ε) where, x i j ∈ EQ = rn . Note that
n≥1

|x − xil | ≤ |x − ζil | + |ζil − xil | < δ(ζl , ε)

  ε   ε
⇒ Fm (x) − Fm (xil ) < and Fn (xil ) − Fn (x) <
   
3 3
If x ∈ E, then |x − ζl | < δ(ζl , ε)/2 for some l with 1 ≤ l ≤ k and xil is also in |x − ζk | <
δ(ζk , ε)/2. Let m, n be two positive integers, greater than a large positive integer. Now
 
|Fm (x) − Fn (x)| = Fm (x) − Fm (xil ) + Fm (xil ) − Fn (xil ) + Fn (xil ) − Fn (x)
 
     
≤ Fm (x) − Fm (xil ) + Fm (xil ) − Fn (xil ) + Fn (xil ) − Fn (x)
     

Since hFm i converge on EQ and xil ∈ EQ , for the given ε, ∃N (ε, xil ) such that
  ε
Fm (xil ) − Fn (xil ) < for m, n ≥ N (ε, xil )
 
3

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74 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

n o
Thus for m, n ≥ max N (ε, xil ) : 1 ≤ l ≤ k we have

|Fm (x) − Fn (x)| < ε independent of x ∈ E

⇒ hFm i converges uniformly on E.

This proves the theorem. 2

T HEOREM 22. Let fn : [a, b] → R be continuous such that hfn i are uniformly bounded on
[a, b] and the derivatives fn0 exist and are uniformly bounded on (a, b0. Then fn has a uniformly
convergent subsequence.

Proof: Since fn0 are uniformly bounded on (a, b), there exists M > 0 such that |fn0 (x)| ≤ M ,
∀n ∈ N and for any x ∈ (0, 1). Using the mean value theorem, we get

|fn (x) − fn (y)| ≤ M |x − y|; for any x, y ∈ [a, b] and n ∈ N

So, if ε > 0 is given, set δ = ε/(M + 1). Then

|fn (x) − fn (y)| ≤ M |x − y|; for any n ∈ N with |x − y| < δ

This shows that hfn i is equicontinuous. Let us prove that hfn i has a subsequence which converges
uniformly. The Arzela-Ascoli theorem then supplies the uniformly convergent subsequence.

E XAMPLE 58. Which of the following sequences hfn i in C[0, 1] must contain a uniformly conver-
gent subsequence?

a) When {fn (x)} ≤ 3 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and for all n ∈ N

b) When fn ∈ C 1 [0, 1], |fn (x)| ≤ 3 and |fn0 (x)| ≤ 5 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and for all n ∈ N

Solution: (a) Let fn (x) = xn , for C, implies ||fn || = 1 for all n ∈ N. To prove that there is no
convergent subsequence for this sequence, it is sufficient to show that any subsequence of hfn i is
not Cauchy. (Since every convergent sequence is a Cauchy sequence). Observe that:
1
||f2n − fn || = sup (xn − x2n ) = sup (xn − (xn )2 ) = sup (t − t2 ) =
x∈[0,1] x∈[0,1] t∈[0,1] 4

Since hfn i is monotonic, we see that

1
k ≥ 2n ⇒ ||fk − fn || ≥ .
4
Now, we have any subsequence of hfn i then the above estimate shows that this subsequence is not
Cauchy. For any given k0 , we can find k 0 > k0 such that nk0 > 2nk0 and ||fnk0 − fnk0 || ≥ 14 . So
this option is incorrect.
(b) Let hfn i be a uniformly bounded sequence of real-valued differentiable functions on [a, b] such
that the derivatives hfn0 i are uniformly bounded. Then by Arzela-Ascoli theorem, we conclude that
there exists a subsequence of hfn i that converges uniformly on [a, b]. Thus this option is correct.

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75 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

Problem Set
Short answer type questions
1. If f : R → R is continuous and the sequence fn (x) = f (nx) is equicontinuous, what can
be said about f ?

Long answer type questions

1. Is the sequence of functions fn : R → R defined by

 1 
fn (x) = cos(n + x) + log 1 + √ sin2 (nn x)
n+2
equicontinuous? Prove or disprove.
Z ∞
2. Let f : R → R is continuous and |f (x)|dx < ∞. Show that there is a sequence hxn i
−∞
in R such that xn → ∞, xn f (xn ) → 0, and xn f (−xn ) → 0 as n → ∞.

3. Let hfn i be a sequence of functions are continuous over [0, 1] and continuously differen-
tiable in (0, 1). Assume that |fn (x)| ≤ 1 and that |fn0 (x)| ≤ 1 for all x ∈ (0, 1) and for each
n ∈ N. Pick the true statements: NBHM’09

a) fn is uniformly continuous for each n Hints : Since fn is continuous on a compact

set [0, 1]

b) hfn i contain a subsequence which converges in C[0, 1] Hints : Arzela-Ascoli theorem

c) hfn i is a convergent sequence in C[0, 1]. Hints : fn (x) = (−1)n

Ans: 3 (a), (b)

4. Which of the following sequences hfn i in C[0, 1] must contain a uniformly convergent sub-
sequence? NBHM’15

a) When {fn (x)} ≤ 3 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and for all n ∈ N

b) When fn ∈ C 1 [0, 1], |fn (x)| ≤ 3 and |fn0 (x)| ≤ 5 for all x ∈ [0, 1] and for all n ∈ N
Z 1
c) When fn ∈ C 1 [0, 1] and |fn (x)|dx ≤ 1 for all n ∈ N Hints Take the same
0
example 58 as taken in option (a)
Ans: 4 (b)

References
[1] Brian S. Thomson, Judith B. Bruckner, Andrew M. Bruckner. Elementary Real Analysis.
Prentice Hall (Pearson), 2001.

[2] Houshang H. Sohrab, Basic Real Analysis. Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht Lon-
don, 2010

Dr. Prasun Kumar Nayak Home Study Materiel

76 Small Overview On Uniform Convergence

[3] Kenneth R. Davidson Allan P. Donsig, Real Analysis and Applications Theory in Practice,
Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London, 2000.

[4] Steven G. Krantz, Real Analysis and Foundations, CHAPMAN & HALUCRC, 2006.

[5] M.H.Protter, C.B.Morrey, A First Course in Real Analysis, Springer, 2004.

[6] Kumaresan, S., Topology of Metric Spaces, Narosa Publishing House, 2005.

[7] Charles Chapman Pugh, Real Mathematical Analysis, Springer, 2004.

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