[Math] Example of Continuous Function Not Differentiable at Endpoints of Closed Interval

derivativeslimitsreal-analysis

Suppose $f: [a, b] \rightarrow \mathbb R$ is continuous and is differentiable on the open interval $(a, b)$.

I am looking for a function where the (one-sided) derivatives at the endpoints do not exist, but specifically where the derivative is not 'infinite' at the endpoints? That is, $f$, such that

$$ \lim \limits_{h \to 0^+} \frac{f(a+h) – f(a)}{h} $$

does not exist, and is not $\pm \infty$?

More generally, it seems to me that there is not really any useful 'criteria' for when the above limit does or doesn't exist- am I broadly correct in thinking this?

Best Answer

Try $f(x)=x(1-x)\,\sin\frac{1}{x(1-x)}$ on $(0,1)$ and $f(0)=f(1)=0.$ It's obviously continuous, and the difference quotient at the endpoints takes all values between -1 and 1.

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