# Math Help - Integrability of a function

1. ## Integrability of a function

Prove that if f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a,b] then it is integrable there.

I need some help with this one guys. Thanx.

Is Anyone Up to the challenge?

2. Originally Posted by VonNemo19
Prove that if f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a,b] then it is integrable there.

I need some help with this one guys. Thanx.

Here is the basic Idea

Let P be any partion of [a,b]

$U(P,f)-L(P,f)=\sum_{i=0}^{N}[f(x_M)-f(x_m)][x_{i+1}-x_{i}]$

Where $x_M$ is the max on each sub interval

$x_m$ is the min on each sub interval

They exsist by the extreem value theorem.

Then on each subinterval by the MVT there exists a $c \in (x_{i},x_{i+1})$ such that

$f(x_m)(x_{i+1}-x_i)=F(c_i) \mbox{ and } f(x_M)(x_{i+1}-x_i)=F(c_{i+1}$

so we get

$U(P,f)-L(P,f)=\sum_{i=0}^{N}[f(x_M)-f(x_m)][x_{i+1}-x_{i}]=\sum_{i=0}^{N}F(c_{i+1})-F(c_i)$
$=F(c_{N+1})-F(C_0)=F(b)-F(a)$

This is just a sketch you will need to justify and fill in the details

TES

3. ## HUH?

How did you derive this from the MVT?:

Then on each subinterval by the MVT there exists a such that

4. Originally Posted by VonNemo19
Prove that if f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a,b] then it is integrable there.

I need some help with this one guys. Thanx.

Is Anyone Up to the challenge?
I will leave the above proof here but it is NOT what you asked for. I should have read the question more carefully. That is my mistake.

To show that this is integrable we need to show that there exists a partition of [a,b] such that $U(f,p)-L(f,p)< \epsilon$

let $\epsilon > 0$ be given

Since f is continous of a closed bounded (i.e compact ) interval f is uniformly continous.

Now by the uniform cont. of f there exists a $\delta > 0$ such that for $|x-y|< \delta \implies |f(x)-f(y)| < \frac{\epsilon}{b-a}$

Choose a partition P of [a,b] such that the mesh (each subdivsion) is less that $\delta$ $P=\{ a=x_0,x_1,...x_{N+1}=b \}$

Now by the extreem value theeorem and the continuity of f in each subinterval $[x_i,x_{i+1}]$ there exists points

$x_m,x_M$ such that $f(x_m)$ is a min and $f(x_M)$ is a max on each sub interval

Then for this partition note that since the mesh is less that delta $f(x_M)-f(x_m) < \frac{\epsilon}{b-a}$

$U(f,p) -L(f,p)=\sum_{i=0}^{N}(f(x_M)-f(x_m))(x_{i+1}-x_1)< \frac{\epsilon}{b-a}\sum_{i=0}^{N}(x_{i+1}-x_i)=$
$\frac{\epsilon}{b-a}(b-a)=\epsilon$

5. ## Now for an Example

Now, can I apply this (by epsilon-delta proof) to the function, let's say... 2x, and show that this function is integrable?

I'm kind of at a loss, because in most cases of the epsilon-delta proofs of ordinary limits of functions ( as in taking the derivative for instance), the limit L is either known, or can be found through algebraic methods. But, in the case of integration, The value of the integral must remain a mystery until the function has, in fact, been integrated.

Now, if I choose an epsilon, how can I show that the Riemann Sum is approaching some value A without having previous knowlege of what that value may be?

Why does this stuff make my head spin?