Chapter 3: Problem 30
If \(f(x)\) is a real-valued function discontinuous at all integral points lying in \([0, n]\) and if \((f(x))^{2}=1 \forall x \in[0, n]\), then number of functions \(f(x)\) are (a) \(2^{n+1}\) (b) \(6 \times 3^{n}\) (c) \(2 \times 3^{n-1}\) (d) \(3^{n+1}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The number of such functions is \(2^{n+1}\) (option a).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding function properties
The function \(f(x)\) is discontinuous at all integral points in the interval \([0, n]\). It also satisfies \((f(x))^2 = 1\) for all \(x \in [0, n]\). This implies that for each value of \(x\), \(f(x)\) can either be \(+1\) or \(-1\), since these are the only numbers whose square equals 1.
02
Possible values at non-integral points
Since \((f(x))^2 = 1\), without specific restrictions on non-integral points, \(f(x)\) can still take values \(+1\) or \(-1\) at any non-integral point in \([0, n]\). This increases the number of choices we have for defining \(f(x)\) over this range.
03
Handling discontinuity at integral points
\(f(x)\) must be discontinuous at all integer points \(x=0,1,2,...,n\). For each integer point \(x=k\), the limit from the left \(f(k^-)\) and the limit from the right \(f(k^+)\) must be different, meaning \(f(k^-)\) and \(f(k^+)\) must be opposite (one is \(+1\) and the other is \(-1\)).
04
Calculating the number of functions
There are \(n+1\) integral points (from 0 to \(n\)), hence there are \(n+1\) pairs \((f(k^-), f(k^+))\) with 2 choices (\(+1, -1\) or \(-1, +1\)) each. Each non-integral point in the real number interval has 2 choices (\(+1\) or \(-1\)), but we only consider the constraints of integer discontinuity for our calculation. Thus, there are \(2^{n+1}\) valid configurations for the function.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Discontinuity
A function is said to be discontinuous at a particular point if there is a failure in its smoothness, so to speak. In mathematical terms, a function calculates differently when approaching from the left versus the right, creating a kind of 'jump'.
Discontinuity can occur for various reasons, such as:
Discontinuity can occur for various reasons, such as:
- A jump discontinuity, where the function suddenly hops from one value to another at a specific point.
- An infinite discontinuity, where the function reaches infinity.
- An oscillating discontinuity, where small variations cause the function value to bounce unpredictably.
- The left-hand limit \(f(k^-)\) and right-hand limit \(f(k^+)\) at any integer \(k\) in \([0, n]\) are not equal.
- The function 'jumps' between values at each of these integers.
Integral Points Discontinuity
Integral points, in the context of the exercise, refer to the whole numbers within the interval \([0, n]\). Here, each of these integral points causes a planned discontinuity for the function. This means for any integer \(k\) inside this interval:
- The value approaching from the left \(f(k^-)\) and the value from the right \(f(k^+)\) must be different.
- This results in dynamically switching behavior exactly at these points, described as a 'jump'.
- Jump from \(+1\) to \(-1\)
- Jump from \(-1\) to \(+1\)
Binary Function Values
Given that \((f(x))^2 = 1\) for all \(x\) within the interval \([0, n]\), the function outputs can only be \(f(x) = +1\) or \(f(x) = -1\). These are the only real numbers satisfying the condition of squaring to one.
- This property implies a binary nature of the function's values at each point on the interval, allowing it to either be \(+1\) or \(-1\).
- Such a binary function is much easier to work with when calculating for various configurations since each point only has two possible outcomes.