[Math] Example of a function that is not continuous but Riemann Integrable

integrationreal-analysisriemann-integration

I have recently stumbled upon the following function $f [0,1] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$:

$$
f(x) =
\begin{cases}
e, & \text{if } x = 0 \\
\sum_{n=0}^y \frac{1}{n!}, & \text{if } x>0
\end{cases}
$$
where $y = [\frac{1}{x}]$ is the integer part of $\frac{1}{x}$.
The claim is that it is Riemann integrable but has infinitely many discontinuities. I clearly can see that it is Riemann Integrable since it is a decreasing function on the given interval $[0,1]$. However, I am not sure about the proof of being infinitely discontinuous. Here is the proof that came with this example:

Take $n \in \mathbb{N}$ and set $x_0 = \frac{1}{n}$. Then, $\lim_{x\to x_0^-} f(x) – \lim_{x\to x_0^+} f(x) = \frac{1}{n!}$

Here I understand that discontinuity follows, however, I am not sure how they obtained that the difference is $\frac{1}{n!}$.

Thank you in advance!

Best Answer

We are seeing the step discontinuity.

Let $x_{0}=\frac{1}{n}=\frac{1}{3}$. As we approach from the left, $$\color{blue}{2.9,\ 2.99,\ 2.999},\dots$$ The function value is $$\frac{1}{0!} + \frac{1}{1!} + \frac{1}{2!}$$ As we approach from the right, $$\color{red}{ 3.1,\ 3.01,\ 3.001}$$ The function value is $$\frac{1}{0!} + \frac{1}{1!} + \frac{1}{2!} + \boxed{\frac{1}{3!}}$$

The difference is $\frac{1}{n!} = \frac{1}{3!}$

factstep

Related Question