[Math] Show that $x^n$ is a continuous function

calculusreal-analysis

So the idea I thought of doing was by induction.

$\forall\; \epsilon > 0\;\; \exists \;\delta > 0$ such that $|x-x_0| < \delta \implies |x-x_0| < \epsilon $

By the definition of the limit choose $\delta=\epsilon$ and the statement holds for $n=1$. Thus $\lim_{x \rightarrow x_0} = x_0 = f(x_0)$

Now here is the inductive step.

Next assume that $\lim_{x \rightarrow x_0} x^n$ exists. Another words, $\forall\; \epsilon > 0\;\; \exists \;\delta > 0$ such that $|x-x_0| < \delta \implies |x^n-x_0^n| < \epsilon $

$\forall\; \epsilon > 0\;\; \exists \;\delta > 0$ such that $|x-x_0| < \delta \implies |x^{n+1}-x_0^{n+1}| < \epsilon $

Let $\epsilon >0$ then $|x-x_0| < \delta \implies |x-x_0|^n|x+x_0| < \epsilon$

I am having trouble proceding from here any hints or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best Answer

Induction isn't really necessary here. It is enough to just work with arbitrary $n$ to show the argument works for whatever $n$ you choose.

Indeed, fix $\varepsilon > 0$. We want $|x^{n+1} - x_0^{n+1}| < \varepsilon$. Notice that

$$|x^{n+1} - x_0^{n+1}| = |x - x_0||x^n + x^{n-1}x_0 + \dots + x x_0^{n-1} + x_0^n|$$

When $x$ is in an interval around $x_0$, say $x \in [x_0 - 1, x_0+1]$, the sum on the RHS has a bound, call this bound $M$.

Hence, taking $\delta = \min(\dfrac{\varepsilon}{M}, 1)$ we get

$$|x^{n+1} - x_0^{n+1}| = |x - x_0||x^n + x^{n-1}x_0 + \dots + x x_0^{n-1} + x_0^n| < \delta M = \varepsilon$$

so we are done.