$f(x)=\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln
(k+[x]^2)}$ where [.] denotes the greatest integer function, and $k$ is
an integer.
- For what values of $k$ will $f(x)$ be continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$
- For what values of $k$ will $f'(x)$ be continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$
- For what values of $k$ will $f''(x)$ be continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$
$f(x)=\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0}\frac{\sin(k\pi[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}$, Using property $\displaystyle\lim\limits_{x\rightarrow0}\frac{\sin(x)}{x}=1$
$f(x)$ will be a continuous constant function equal to zero $\forall x\in \mathbb R$ if $k>0$ (since log function is not defined for negative numbers or zero). There is a chance that $f(x)$ can be discontinuous at $k=1,x=0$, so we need to check the function at that point.
When $\displaystyle k=1^+,\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0}\frac{3\sin(k\pi)}{\ln (1^+)}=0/h=0$ where $h$ is an infinitesimally small positive number
Similarly when $\displaystyle k=1^-,\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0}\frac{3\sin(k\pi)}{\ln (1^-)}=0/h=0$ where $h$ is an infinitesimally small negative number
So $f(x)$ should be continuous and differentiable at at $k=1$, but the answer says $1$ is excluded and $k>1$. What am I missing?
Also can we say the second derivative doesn't exist for a continuous function.
Best Answer
I think that you also have to consider the case where $t\to \color{red}{0^-}$ for which $\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0}\dfrac{\sin x}{x}=1$ cannot be used.
For $t\to 0^+$ for which $\displaystyle\lim_{x\to 0}\dfrac{\sin x}{x}=1$ can be used, it should be $$\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow0^+}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=\frac{\sin(k\pi[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}$$ not $\displaystyle\color{red}{\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow 0^+}}\frac{\sin(k\pi[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}$.
(note that $\displaystyle\lim_{t\to 0^+}\dfrac{\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})}{k\pi/e^{1/t}}=1$ cannot be used when $k=0$.)
If you fix $k=1$, then I think that you cannot take $k=1^+$.
In the following, I'll show my solution.
If $t\to \color{red}{0^+}$, then since $\displaystyle\lim_{t\to 0^+}\dfrac{k\pi}{e^{1/t}}=0$, one has , for $k\not=0$,$$\begin{align}&\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow 0^+}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)} \\\\&=\frac{1}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}\displaystyle\lim_{t\to 0^+}\sin\bigg(\frac{\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})}{k\pi/e^{1/t}}\cdot k\pi[x^2-x+\pi]\bigg) \\\\&=\frac{1}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}\cdot \sin\bigg(1\cdot k\pi[x^2-x+\pi]\bigg) \\\\&=\frac{0}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}\end{align}$$(For $k=0$, $\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow 0^+}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=\frac{0}{\ln ([x]^2)}$.)
If $t\to \color{red}{0^-}$, then $\displaystyle \lim_{t\to 0^-}e^{1/t}=0$ and $$-e^{1/t}\leqslant \sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}\leqslant e^{1/t}$$ imply $$\lim_{t\to 0^-}\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}=0$$so $$\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow 0^-}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=\frac{0}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}$$
Therefore, it follows from these that $$f(x)=\displaystyle\lim\limits_{t\rightarrow 0}\frac{\sin(\sin(k\pi/e^{1/t})e^{1/t}[x^2-x+\pi])}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=\frac{0}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}$$
Now, one can say
If $k\leqslant 1$, then for $0\leqslant x\lt 1$, $f(x)=\dfrac{0}{\ln(k)}$ is not defined.
If $k\gt 1$, then for any $x$, $f(x)=\dfrac{0}{\ln (k+[x]^2)}=0$.
Therefore, one can say
$f(x)$ is continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$ if and only if $k\gt 1$.
$f'(x)$ is continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$ if and only if $k\gt 1$.
$f''(x)$ is continuous $\forall x\in \mathbb R$ if and only if $k\gt 1$.