MthT 430 Notes Chapter 5 Equivalent Definitions
MthT 430 Notes Chapter 5 Equivalent Definitions
What is a definition?
From http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/definition
Definition of definition - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Main Entry: def·i·ni·tion
Function: noun
1:
an act of determining ...
2a:
a statement expressing the essential nature of something
2b:
a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol < dictionary definitions >
Statement 2b seems most appropriate for mathematics.
Think of a Definition as being able to interchange
[Definition] Term1 (What is being defined)
[Definition] Description (Details)
Equivalent Definitions of Limit



Definition. (Actual, p. 96)

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, then |f(x) − L| < ϵ.
Thus we are able to use interchangeably the phrases
( Definition Term) limx → a f(x) = L.
(Definition Description) For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, then |f(x) − L| < ϵ.
We wish to decide which variations of a definition are "correct" and give an equivalent definition.
Think of a Equivalent Definitions as an If and Only If Theorem .
The phrase "Definition X is equivalent to Definition Y" means you can use interchangeably the phrases
[Definition] Term (What is being defined)
[Definition] Description X (Details)
[Definition] Description Y (Details)
To show that two definitions X and Y for the same Definition Term are equivalent we must show the following:
Satisfying Definition Description XSatisfying Definition Description Y.
Satisfying Definition Description YSatisfying Definition Description X.
Now if Definition X is not equivalent to Definition Y for the same Definition Term , then at least one of the following is false:
Satisfying Definition Description XSatisfying Definition Description Y.
Satisfying Definition Description YSatisfying Definition Description X.
Interpreting each of the above as a Theorem, the way to show a Theorem is false is to construct a counterexample . A counterexample is an object [construct, …] which satisfies the hypotheses of the proposed Theorem, but does not satisfy the conclusion[s] of the proposed Theorem.
Actual Definition of Limit

Definition ACTUAL. (Actual, p. 96)

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, then |f(x) − L| < ϵ.
Proposed Variations
For each of the proposed variations AA - OO of the actual (Spivak) definition description of

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L,
decide whether the proposed variation Definition XX is equivalent to Definition Actual. Thus for each you must think about the validity of the the two Theorems:
Satisfying Definition Description XXSatisfying Definition Description ACTUAL. If False, there is a counterexample.
Satisfying Definition Description ACTUALSatisfying Definition Description XX. If False, there is a counterexample.
You may construct any counterexample graphically, by formula, or by a precise description.

Definition AA. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, 0 < |x −a| < δ, and |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition BB. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for some x, 0 < |x −a| < δ, and |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition CC. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For an ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, then |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition DD. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is some δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition EE. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For any ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, if 0 < |x −a| < δ, then |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition FF. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For any ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, 0 < |x −a| < δimplies |f(x) − L| < ϵ.

Definition GG. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For any ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵif 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition HH. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For any ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵand 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition II. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For any ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵwhenever 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition JJ. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For every ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵfor 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition KK. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For an ϵ > 0, there is a δ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵfor 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition LL. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For a δ > 0, there is an ϵ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵprovided that 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition MM. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For all δ > 0, there is an ϵ > 0 such that, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵfor 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition NN. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For some δ > 0, there is an ϵ > 0 such that, for all x, if |f(x)L| < ϵ, then 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Definition OO. 

lim
x → a 
f(x) = L
means: For some δ > 0, for all ϵ > 0, for all x, |f(x) − L| < ϵ if 0 < |x −a| < δ.

Footnotes:

1I borrow the words Definition Term and Definition Description from the html tags < DT > and < DD > .


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On 22 Aug 2014, 03:51.