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A function $f:\Bbb{R}\to\Bbb{R}$ is defined by $f(x)=x$, if $x$ is rational; $\sin(x)$ if $x$ is irrational.

Show that $f$ is differentiable at $0$ and $f'(0)=1$.

Here I'm thinking to apply definition separately for rational and irrational.. and I'm getting same limit... But can we conclude the differentiability with this result??

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Yes, the fact that this holds for rationals and irrationals separately (but consistently) does allow you to conclude differentiability. In particular, you are trying to show that the limit $$\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{f(h)}h=1$$ and you have that $f(x)$ at every point is equal to either $f_1(x)=x$ or $f_2(x)=\sin(x)$ at every point. You have $$\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{f_1(h)}h=1$$ $$\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{f_2(h)}h=1$$ Then, you can conclude that the original limit exists as follows: For any $\varepsilon$, you can choose $\delta_1$ and $\delta_2$ such that for any $|x|<\delta_1$ you have $\left|\frac{f_1(h)}h-1\right|<\varepsilon$ and for any $|x|<\delta_2$ you have $\left|\frac{f_2(h)}h-1\right|<\varepsilon$. This is just from definition of the latter two limits. Then, for any $|x|<\min(\delta_1,\delta_2)$ you get that $\left|\frac{f(h)}h-1\right|<\varepsilon$, since one of the two above inequalities will be applicable. Thus, $f(h)$ must have the same derivative as $f_1$ and $f_2$ where those two functions and their derivatives agree.

Milo Brandt
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By definition we need to compute $\displaystyle \lim_{h\to 0}\frac{f(0+h)-f(0)}{h}=\displaystyle \lim_{h\to 0}\frac{f(h)-0}{h}=\lim_{h\to 0}\frac{f(h)}{h}$

Notice for any $x\in \mathbb{R}$ we have $|x|\geq|\sin(x)|$ (Easy to check using mean value theorem). That means for $h>0$, we have $\sin(h)\leq f(h)\leq h\Rightarrow \frac{\sin(h)}{h}\leq \frac{f(h)}{h}\leq 1$, by squeeze theorem $\displaystyle \lim_{h\to 0^{+}}\frac{f(h)}{h}=1$. When $h<0$ the inequality reverses and we can also use squeeze theorem to conclude $\displaystyle \lim_{h\to 0^{-}}\frac{f(h)}{h}=1$.

Therefore $\displaystyle \lim_{h\to 0}\frac{f(h)}{h}=1$, the function is differentiable at $0$ and the derivative is 1.

  • In case, f(x)= x² , x€Q ; 0, x€ R/Q. As x->0, f(x)/x ->0. But this is possible if 0≤{f(x)/x}≤x. How can we show??? – user334155 May 01 '16 at 06:02
  • Similarly, what in case, f(x)=0, if x=0 and x€R/Q ; 1/q³, if x=p/q, where p€Z, q€N and (p,q)=1 – user334155 May 01 '16 at 06:20
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If you put $g(x)=f(x)-x$, then it suffices to show $g'(x)=0$.

If you are able to show that $|g(x)|\le x^2$ then you have $$-x \le \frac{g(x)}x \le x$$ which implies $g'(x)=\lim\limits_{x\to0}\frac{g(x)}x=0$ (using squeeze theorem).

To prove the inequality for $|g(x)|$ you may use some inequality for $\sin x$. Some such inequalities can be found on this site. For example, see this question: Prove that $x - \frac{x^3}{3!} < \sin x < x$ for all $x>0$