Chapter 2: Problem 73
Let $$ f(x)=\left\\{\begin{array}{ll}{x^{2} \sin \frac{1}{x},} & {x \neq 0} \\ {0,} & {x=0}\end{array}\right. $$ (a) Show that \(f\) is continuous at \(x=0\). (b) Use Definition 2.2 .1 to show that \(f^{\prime}(0)\) does not exist. (c) Find \(f^{\prime}(x)\) for \(x \neq 0\). (d) Determine whether \(\lim _{x \rightarrow 0} f^{\prime}(x)\) exists.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Show Continuity at x=0
Show f'(0) Does Not Exist
Find f'(x) for x ≠0
Determine Limit of f'(x) as x → 0
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Limit of a Function
To determine if the function is continuous at a point, like x=0 in this case, we look at three things: whether the function is defined at that point, whether a limit exists as x approaches the point, and whether the limit is equal to the function's value at that point.
In our example, the limit of the function as x approaches 0 is zero, thanks to the Squeeze Theorem. This allows us to conclude that the function is indeed continuous at x=0.
Squeeze Theorem
In this scenario, the function is multiplied by another function (like x²). Because \(-1 \leq \sin(1/x) \leq 1\) for all x, we can "squeeze" our function between -x² and x².
Consequently, as x approaches zero, both bounds (-x² and x²) approach 0. Thus, according to the Squeeze Theorem, the limit of x²\(\sin(1/x)\) as x approaches zero is also zero. This application of the Squeeze Theorem helped in proving the continuity of the function at x=0 in the step-by-step solution above.
Definition of Derivative
The fundamental definition of a derivative at a point, say x=0, involves evaluating the limit: \( f'(0) = \lim_{x \to 0} \frac{f(x) - f(0)}{x} \). This expression is simply the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at x=0.
In our problem, as x approaches zero, the primary function \( x\sin(1/x) \) oscillates wildly between two extreme values because of the sine component. This oscillation makes it impossible to pin down a single slope at x=0, which is why \( f'(0) \), the derivative at x=0, does not exist. The concept of an oscillating function plays a big role here.
Oscillating Functions
In the exercise mentioned, the component \(\sin(1/x)\) is oscillating infinitely as x approaches zero. This infinite oscillation is impossible to capture with a single value, causing challenges in determining certain limits or derivatives.
Particularly, when searching for the derivative at x=0, the oscillation of \(\sin(1/x)\) makes the expression \(x\sin(1/x)\) unpredictable as x approaches zero. This unpredictability leads to the conclusion that the derivative doesn't exist at that particular point. Oscillating functions show how complex and intriguing calculus can be.