MATH 401 - NOTES

Sequences of functions
Pointwise and Uniform Convergence
Fall 2005

Previously, we have studied sequences of real numbers. Now we discuss

the topic of sequences of real valued functions. A sequence of functions {fn }
is a list of functions (f1 , f2 , . . .) such that each fn maps a given subset D of
R into R.

I. Pointwise convergence
Definition. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of functions
defined on D. We say that {fn } converges pointwise on D if
lim fn (x) exists for each point x in D.
n→∞

This means that lim fn (x) is a real number that depends only on x.
n→∞

If {fn } is pointwise convergent then the function defined by f (x) = lim fn (x),
n→∞
for every x in D, is called the pointwise limit of the sequence {fn }.

Example 1. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R defined by fn (x) =

nx. This sequence does not converge pointwise on R because lim fn (x) = ∞
n→∞
for any x > 0.

Example 2.
Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R defined by fn (x) = x/n. This
sequence converges pointwise to the zero function on R.

Example 3. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions defined by

nx + x2
fn (x) = for all x in R.
n2
Show that {fn } converges pointwise.
Solution: For every real number x, we have:
x x2
   
1 2 1
lim fn (x) = lim + 2 = x lim +x lim =0+0=0
n→∞ n→∞ n n n→∞ n n→∞ n2

1
Thus, {fn } converges pointwise to the zero function on R.

Example 4. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions defined by

sin(nx + 3)
fn (x) = √ for all x in R.
n+1
Show that {fn } converges pointwise.
Solution: For every x in R, we have
−1 sin(nx + 3) 1
√ ≤ √ ≤√
n+1 n+1 n+1
Moreover,
1
lim √ = 0.
n→∞ n+1
Applying the squeeze theorem for sequences, we obtain that

lim fn (x) = 0 for all x in R.

n→∞

Therefore, {fn } converges pointwise to the function f ≡ 0 on R.

Example 5. Consider the sequence {fn } of functions defined by fn (x) =

n2 xn for 0 ≤ x ≤ 1. Determine whether {fn } is pointwise convergent.
Solution: First of all, observe that fn (0) = 0 for every n in N. So the
sequence {fn (0)} is constant and converges to zero. Now suppose 0 < x < 1
then n2 xn = n2 en ln(x) . But ln(x) < 0 when 0 < x < 1, it follows that

lim fn (x) = 0 for 0 < x < 1

n→∞

Finally, fn (1) = n2 for all n. So, lim fn (1) = ∞. Therefore, {fn } is not
n→∞
pointwise convergent on [0, 1].

Example 6. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions defined by fn (x) = cosn (x)
for −π/2 ≤ x ≤ π/2. Discuss the pointwise convergence of the sequence.
Solution: For −π/2 ≤ x < 0 and for 0 < x ≤ π/2, we have

0 ≤ cos(x) < 1.

2
It follows that
lim (cos(x))n = 0 for x 6= 0.
n→∞
Moreover, since fn (0) = 1 for all n in N, one gets lim fn (0) = 1. Therefore,
n→∞
{fn } converges pointwise to the function f defined by
0 if − π2 ≤ x < 0 or 0 < x ≤ π

f (x) = 2
1 if x=0
Example 7. Consider the sequence of functions defined by

fn (x) = nx(1 − x)n on [0, 1].

Show that {fn } converges pointwise to the zero function.

Solution: Note that fn (0) = fn (1) = 0, for all n ∈ N. Now suppose

0 < x < 1, then
lim fn (x) = lim nxen ln(1−x) = x lim nen ln(1−x) = 0
n→∞ n→∞ n→∞

because ln(1 − x) < 0 when 0 < x < 1. Therefore, the given sequence con-
verges pointwise to zero.

Example 8. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on R defined by

0 < x ≤ n1
 3
n if
fn (x) =
1 otherwise
Show that {fn } converges pointwise to the constant function f = 1 on R.

Solution: For any x in R there is a natural number N such that x does

not belong to the interval (0, 1/N ). The intervals (0, 1/n) get smaller as
n → ∞. Therefore, fn (x) = 1 for all n > N . Hence,
lim fn (x) = 1 for all x.
n→∞

The formal definition of pointwise convergence

Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of real valued functions
defined on D. Then {fn } converges pointwise to f if given any x in D and
given any ε > 0, there exists a natural number N = N (x, ε) such that
|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε for every n > N.
Note: The notation N = N (x, ε) means that the natural number N depends
on the choice of x and ε.

3
I. Uniform convergence
Definition. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of real
valued functions defined on D. Then {fn } converges uniformly to f if given
any ε > 0, there exists a natural number N = N (ε) such that

|fn (x) − f (x)| < ε for every n > N and for every x in D.

Note: In the above definition the natural number N depends only on ε.

Therefore, uniform convergence implies pointwise convergence. But the con-
verse is false as we can see from the following counter-example.

Example 9. Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on (0, ∞) defined by

nx
fn (x) = .
1 + n2 x2
This function converges pointwise to zero. Indeed, (1 + n2 x2 ) ∼ n2 x2 as n
gets larger and larger. So,
nx 1 1
lim fn (x) = lim = lim = 0.
n→∞ n→∞ n2 x2 x n→∞ n
But for any ε < 1/2, we have
    
fn 1 − f 1  = 1 − 0 > ε.
 
 n n  2
Hence {fn } is not uniformly convergent.

Theorem. Let D be a subset of R and let {fn } be a sequence of continuous

functions on D which converges uniformly to f on D. Then f is continuous
on D

4
Homework

Problem 1.
Let {fn } be the sequence of functions on [0, 1] defined by fn (x) = nx(1−x4 )n .
Show that {fn } converges pointwise. Find its pointwise limit.

Problem 2.
1
Is the sequence of functions on [0, 1) defined by fn (x) = (1 − x) n pointwise
convergent? Justify your answer.

Problem 3.
Consider the sequence {fn } of functions defined by

n + cos(nx)
fn (x) = for all x in R.
2n + 1
Show that {fn } is pointwise convergent. Find its pointwise limit.

Problem 4.
Consider the sequence {fn } of functions defined on [0, π] by fn (x) = sinn (x).
Show that {fn } converges pointwise. Find its pointwise limit. Using the
above theorem, show that {fn } is not uniformly convergent.