Why Does a Real-Valued Function on $[0,\infty)$ Have Limit $0$ at Infinity?

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  • Thread starter Euge
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    2016
In summary, a real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ has limit $0$ at infinity because as the input values (x) approach infinity, the output values (y) approach $0$. This means that the function is getting closer and closer to $0$ as x gets larger and larger. Having a limit of $0$ at infinity means that as the input values (x) approach infinity, the output values (y) approach $0$. This indicates that the function is getting closer and closer to $0$ as x gets larger and larger. To determine if a real-valued function has a limit of $0$ at infinity, you can use the definition of a limit. This involves evaluating the function
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Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Explain why a uniformly continuous, Lebesgue integrable, real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ has limit $0$ at infinity.

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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No one answered this week's problem. You can read my solution below.
Let $f$ be such a function. Let $\epsilon > 0$. Since $f$ is uniformly continuous, there exists $\delta > 0$ such that for all $x,y$, $|x - y| < \delta$ implies $|f(x) - f(y)| < \epsilon$. Since $f$ is Lebesgue integrable on $[0,\infty)$, there exists $M > 0$ such that for all $x,y$, $x > y > M$ implies $\int_y^x |f(t)|\, dt < \epsilon$. Given $x > M$, there exists $c \in (x,x+\delta)$ such that $|f(c)|\delta = \int_x^{x+\delta} |f(t)|\, dt$, and $|f(c)|\delta < \epsilon$. Since $|x - c| < \delta$, then $|f(x) - f(c)| < \epsilon$. Hence

$$|f(x)| \le |f(x) - f(c)| + |f(c)| < \epsilon + \frac{\epsilon}{\delta} = \left(1 + \frac{1}{\delta}\right)\epsilon.$$

Since $\epsilon$ was arbitary, $\lim\limits_{x\to \infty} f(x) = 0$.
 

Related to Why Does a Real-Valued Function on $[0,\infty)$ Have Limit $0$ at Infinity?

1. Why does a real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ have limit $0$ at infinity?

A real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ has limit $0$ at infinity because as the input values (x) approach infinity, the output values (y) approach $0$. This means that the function is getting closer and closer to $0$ as x gets larger and larger.

2. What does it mean for a function to have a limit of $0$ at infinity?

Having a limit of $0$ at infinity means that as the input values (x) approach infinity, the output values (y) approach $0$. This indicates that the function is getting closer and closer to $0$ as x gets larger and larger.

3. How can I determine if a real-valued function has a limit of $0$ at infinity?

To determine if a real-valued function has a limit of $0$ at infinity, you can use the definition of a limit. This involves evaluating the function at increasingly larger values of x and observing the trend of the output values. If the output values approach $0$ as x gets larger, then the function has a limit of $0$ at infinity.

4. Can a real-valued function have a limit of $0$ at infinity if it has a vertical asymptote?

Yes, a real-valued function can have a limit of $0$ at infinity even if it has a vertical asymptote. This is because a vertical asymptote only indicates that the function is undefined at a certain point, but it does not affect the behavior of the function as x approaches infinity.

5. Are there any other types of limits that a real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ can have besides $0$ at infinity?

Yes, a real-valued function on $[0,\infty)$ can also have a limit of $L$ at infinity, where $L$ is any real number. This means that as the input values (x) approach infinity, the output values (y) approach $L$. The function can also have a limit that does not exist at infinity if the output values do not approach a single value as x gets larger.

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