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I need to show that a function $g \in C^{1} (\mathbb{R})$ with $g(0)=0$ verifies $|g(s)| \leq C|s|$ for $s \in [-M,M]$. This is what I have done:

Using Mean Value Theorem, we have:

$$\frac{g(s)-g(0)}{s-0}=g'(c)$$ For some $c \in {[-M,M]}$.

Therefore we have $g(s) = g'(c)s$, i.e. $|g(s)| = |g'(c)||s|$. As the function $g'(s):[-M,M] \to \mathbb{R}$ is continuous, so is $|g'(s)|$, which achieves its maximum on $[-M,M]$ (since $[-M,M]$ is compact), and we call it $C$.

So we have $|g(s)| = |g'(c)||s| \leq |C||s|$.

Is that correct? If so, I would like to know if there is another way to show it by using the weaker condition that $g \in C( \mathbb{R})$, without using the derivative of g, Is that possible?

D1X
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1 Answers1

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No, it does not work that way. There are two things you need to control: the behaviour on $[-M,M]\backslash(-\varepsilon, \varepsilon)$ and the behaviour on $ (-\varepsilon, \varepsilon)$. Your reasoning covers the first part. For the second part you need to look closely at $g^\prime(0)$ (and start out with bigger slope than that value). Also, for the first part, the mean value theorem does not seem to be of optimal choice. You are better off to compare with $\max{g}$ instead of $\max{g^\prime}$ on on $[-M,M]\backslash(-\varepsilon, \varepsilon)$.

And no, you can't do without using the derivative of $g$. Use $\sqrt{|x|}$ as a counterexample.

Edit more precisely, you you only need $g$ to be 'better' than continous at the origin. Either the requirement "$g^\prime$ exists at $x=0$" or "$g$ is Lipshitz continuous near the origin" (together with global boundedness or continuity) will do.

Second Edit, in response to a comment, to cover the case $x=0$ under the assumption that $g$ is differentiable in $x=0$.

$g$ being differentiable in $x= 0$ means (taking into account $g(0)=0$) that $$g(s)=g(0)+g^\prime(0)s+ r(s) = g^\prime(0)s + r(s)$$

where $r(s)$ is a function with the property $$\lim_{s\rightarrow 0} \frac{r(s)}{s}=0$$ This latter property implies that, for any $\eta >0$ there is $\delta < 0 $such that $|r(s)| < \eta |s|$ for $|s|< \delta$. So for sufficiently small $s$

$$g(s)= g^\prime(0)s + r(s) \le (g^\prime(0)+\eta)s $$

You may choose $\eta=1$, if you like.

(I used $\eta$ since $\varepsilon$ is in use already).

Thomas
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  • Okay, for $[-M,M]\backslash(-\varepsilon, \varepsilon)$ we have $g(s) \leq \frac{max { g}}{\varepsilon} |s|$, that's clear. – D1X Dec 25 '15 at 13:47
  • @D1X Yes. But that may not suffice. You need to find a straight line through the origin the graph of which majorizes $g$ in a neighbourhood of $0$. To find this write down the definition of differentiability for $g$ in $x=0$ – Thomas Dec 25 '15 at 14:07
  • Using the fact that $lim_{s \to 0} | \frac{g(s)-g'(0)|s|}{|s|} | =0$ I get that for every $\varepsilon > 0$ there is a $\delta_{\varepsilon} >0$ such that if $|s|< \delta_{\varepsilon}$, then $|g(s)-g'(0)|s|| < |s| \varepsilon $, but I don't know how to proceed, as I need a uniform bound. – D1X Dec 25 '15 at 16:26
  • @D1X I extended my answer to explain how to do this (actually you were close already). You have to cover the neighbourhood of $0$ first, determine the size of the neighbourhood on the complement of which you have to use the $\max$ argument. – Thomas Dec 25 '15 at 16:38