# Math Help - Flat tail?

1. ## Flat tail?

Suppose $f:\mathbb{R} \longrightarrow [0,\infty)$ is continuous and that $\int f < \infty$. Is it always true that $\lim_{x\to\infty}f(x)=0?$

2. Originally Posted by davidmccormick
Suppose $f:\mathbb{R} \longrightarrow [0,\infty)$ is continuous and that $\int f < \infty$. Is it always true that $\lim_{x\to\infty}f(x)=0?$
Clearly we must have that eventually $f(x)$ is non-increasing. So, let $f(x)$ be non-increasing for $x\geqslant N\in\mathbb{N}$. Then, $f$ is continuous non-negative non-increasing function. Thus, $\int_{N}^{\infty}f<\infty\implies \sum_{n=N}^{\infty}f(n)<\infty$ and so $\lim_{n\to\infty}f(n)=\lim_{x\to\infty}f(x)=0$.

3. Originally Posted by Drexel28
Clearly we must have that eventually $f(x)$ is non-increasing.
What do you mean?

In general, functions $f\geq 0$ such that $\int f<\infty$ are not non-increasing. Some of them converge to 0, others don't.

Here's an example. Let me describe the graph of $f$. It consists of triangular peaks that get thinner and higher : around $n$, we put a triangular peak of width $\frac{1}{n^3}$ and height $n$. (Is it clear?)

The area of the triangle at $n$ is $\frac{1}{n^2}$. Since $\sum_n \frac{1}{n^2}<\infty$, the total area under the curve is finite, i.e. $\int f(x)dx<\infty$. However, $f$ clearly does not converge to 0. We even have $f(n)=n\to +\infty$ for $n\in\mathbb{N},n\to\infty$.

4. Originally Posted by Laurent
What do you mean?

In general, functions $f\geq 0$ such that $\int f<\infty$ are not non-increasing. Some of them converge to 0, others don't.

Here's an example. Let me describe the graph of $f$. It consists of triangular peaks that get thinner and higher : around $n$, we put a triangular peak of width $\frac{1}{n^3}$ and height $n$. (Is it clear?)

The area of the triangle at $n$ is $\frac{1}{n^2}$. Since $\sum_n \frac{1}{n^2}<\infty$, the total area under the curve is finite, i.e. $\int f(x)dx<\infty$. However, $f$ clearly does not converge to 0. We even have $f(n)=n\to +\infty$ for $n\in\mathbb{N},n\to\infty$.
I misread the question ...I gave myself extra conditions I didn't have.