Measure, Integration & Real Analysis Sheldon Axler SEction 2B Exercise 12

measure-theoryreal-analysis

the question can be found here, but is also repeated below.

Suppose $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ is a function.

(a) For $k\in\mathbb{Z}^{+}$, let

$$G_k = \{a\in\mathbb{R}: \exists\delta>0 \text{ s.t. } \lvert f(b) – f(c)\rvert < \frac{1}{k}, \forall b,c\in(a-\delta, a+\delta\}.$$

Prove that $G_k$ is an open subset of $\mathbb{R}$ for each $k\in\mathbb{Z}^{+}$.

(b) Prove the set of points where $f$ is continuous equals $\cap_{k=1}^{\infty}G_{k}$.

(c) Conclude that the set of points at which $f$ is continuous is a Borel set.

So, I'm really just looking for a help at where to start. I think that I have an idea of where to set for (b) since the definition of $G_k$ is essentially just the definition of continuity using $\varepsilon_k = \frac{1}{k}$, but I'm fairly lost on what to do for the other sections.

Thank you!

Best Answer

Welcome to MSE!

Hint:

For (a), what happens if we wiggle $a$ a little bit? That is, we know that $a \in G_k$ satisfies some property. Can you show that actually some open set around $a$ is also in $G_k$? Do you see why that would show that $G_k$ is open?

As for showing it, we know that if we stay within $\delta$ of $a$, something good happens. Can you show that for every point within $\delta/2$ of $a$ (say), there's a smaller radius around those points for which good things keep happening?

For (b), you're completely right!

For (c), you've shown the points of continuity is a (countable!) intersection of open sets $G_k$. Why must this be borel?


I hope this helps ^_^