Continuity check

Calculus Level 5

m m is a positive integer such that

f ( x ) = k = 1 x m ( 1 + x 4 ) k 1 . f(x) = \sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{x^m}{(1+x^{4})^{k-1}}.

Given that f ( x ) f(x) is continuous at x = 0 x = 0 , find the smallest possible value of m m .

3 4 5 2

This section requires Javascript.
You are seeing this because something didn't load right. We suggest you, (a) try refreshing the page, (b) enabling javascript if it is disabled on your browser and, finally, (c) loading the non-javascript version of this page . We're sorry about the hassle.

1 solution

Jin Young Hwang
Apr 26, 2014

If x 0 x\ne0 , f ( x ) f(x) is a geometric series whose first term is x m x^m , and common ratio 1 1 + x 4 < 1 \dfrac{1}{1+x^4}<1 . Therefore, f ( x ) = x m 1 1 1 + x 4 = x m ( 1 + x 4 ) x 4 = x m ( 1 + 1 / x 4 ) f(x)=\dfrac{x^m}{1-\dfrac{1}{1+x^4}}=\dfrac{x^m(1+x^4)}{x^4}=x^m(1+1/x^4) .

If x = 0 x=0 , f ( 0 ) = 0 f(0)=0 .

f ( x ) = { x m ( 1 + 1 / x 4 ) i f x 0 0 i f x = 0 \therefore f(x)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll}x^m(1+1/x^4) & \mathrm{if}\; x\ne 0 \\ 0& \mathrm{if}\; x=0\end{array}\right.

Since f f is continuous at x = 0 x=0 , lim x 0 x m ( 1 + 1 / x 4 ) = 0 \displaystyle \lim_{x\to0}x^m(1+1/x^4)=0 . If 1 m 3 1\le m \le 3 , the limit doesn't exist. If m = 4 m=4 , the limit is 1. If m 5 m\ge 5 , the limit is 0 and we get the answer.

Could you just tell me why did you write

If x = 0 x=0 , f ( 0 ) = 0 f(0)=0 ?

I mean it is only mentioned that f ( x ) f(x) is continuous at x = 0 x=0 . Nothing has been said about the value at x = 0 x=0 .

Nishant Sharma - 7 years ago

Log in to reply

Because, when x=0 all the terms are 0. x m x^{m} in the numerator.

Himanshu Arora - 6 years, 11 months ago

Ur right.nothing is said about the value at x=0....but when x=5 I have the expression as x+x^5 and as we check in the left of zero we have negative value and at right it positive.....this should not be there as the function is continuous at x=0.. . I think that the answer is 4

Mohanish Gaikwad - 6 years, 11 months ago

Log in to reply

We can have a continuous function that is positive on one side and negative on the other. It is a necessary condition that the value at that point is 0.

Explicitly, here is the graph of this function when m = 5 m = 5 .

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

@Calvin Lin Ahh... Thanks sir! :D

Md Zuhair - 3 years, 1 month ago

I think the answer must be 'smallest integer value of m'.

Led Tasso - 6 years, 10 months ago

What is wrong with m = 4? @Calvin Lin @Jin Young Hwang

Ankit Kumar Jain - 3 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

Same is my question. :(

Md Zuhair - 3 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

When m = 4 m = 4 , is the function continuous at x = 0 x = 0 ?

Hint: Notice that f ( 0 ) = 0 f(0) = 0 , as stated in the solution.

Calvin Lin Staff - 3 years, 1 month ago

Log in to reply

@Calvin Lin Ah! Missed that point.

Ankit Kumar Jain - 3 years, 1 month ago

0 pending reports

×

Problem Loading...

Note Loading...

Set Loading...