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I am reading a text and I do not know why this follows:

I $f$ is a continuous function and $f'(x)=0$ for every $x \in \mathbb{R}$ except for a finite set $E$ or a countable set $E$, then $f$ must be constant.

Does anybody know an example for such an function?

monoid
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    your function is not continuous. – drhab Aug 06 '14 at 11:31
  • you're right. but which function is continuous and in one point different then in others? – monoid Aug 06 '14 at 11:34
  • derivative is undefined at $x=2.$ – Bumblebee Aug 06 '14 at 11:34
  • @monoid in point different then others (so constant on the rest) excludes continuity. No such function exist. – drhab Aug 06 '14 at 11:35
  • @drhab how can I picture to myself such a function in the above statement? – monoid Aug 06 '14 at 11:42
  • I am afraid there is only one way for that: the function must be constant. I cannot answer next questions on this. Time lacks, sorry. – drhab Aug 06 '14 at 11:44
  • If you want to see an example of a continous function with $f'(x)=0$ for every $x\in\mathbb R\backslash E$, where $E$ is a countable or finite set, then it is better to explicitely ask for it in your question. – gebruiker Aug 06 '14 at 11:48
  • Well it is known that a derivative has IVP, so if one claims there is a countable number of points where $f'(x) \neq 0$ then one can draw a contradiction... – DanZimm Aug 06 '14 at 12:15
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor_function This functions is continuous and f'(x) = 0 almost everywhere, and the function is not constant. – zairhenrique Aug 06 '14 at 13:03
  • @zairhenrique I do know the Cantor-Function, but this is not a constant function. – monoid Aug 06 '14 at 13:58
  • Yes, I posted the link to show a counter-example. – zairhenrique Aug 06 '14 at 13:59

1 Answers1

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The problem here is a common one in that the formulation of the result can be at odds with everyday usage of the language.

The only examples of such $f$ are in fact constant functions, which have $f'(x)= 0$ for all $x$.

What does

[...] $f'(x)=0$ for every $x \in \mathbb{R}$ except for a finite set $E$ or a countable set $E$, [...]

mean to say precisely?

It means to say that there is a set $E$ that is finite or countable such that $f'(x)= 0$ for all $x \notin E$.

Note that:

  • $E$ can be empty.
  • It is not uncommon that the author does not insist that $f'(x) \neq 0$ for $x \in E$.

Informally, the result says if for continous $f$ you know $f'(x) = 0$ for all $x$ except possibly some few exceptions, then you can conclude that $f$ is constant (and after that you'd know in fact $f'(x) = 0$ for all $x$).

In particular, this result tells you that there cannot be any interesting examples: by the very result every example has to be constant!

quid
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