8.1.14

Let $D = { x_1, x_2, X_3, …}$ be an arbitrary countably infinite set of reals. Let $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ be goven by

\[f(x) = \sum_{n \in \mathbb{N}; x_n < x} \frac{1}{2^n}\]

$Proof$:

$a$ The function $f$ is well-defined and non-decreasing

Well-definedness

For any real number $x$, the set

\[n \in \mathbb{N} : x_n < x\]

is finite. Indeed, since $D$ is a countable infinite set, we can list its elements in increasing order as

\[x_1 < x_2 < x_3 < \cdots.\]

For any fixed $x$, there can be only finitely many indices $n$ for which $x_n < x$. Therefore, the defining sum for $f(x)$ includes only finitely many terms, and hence $f(x)$ is well-defined.

Monotonicity

Let $x < y$. We compute

\[f(y) - f(x)b = \sum_{\substack{n \in \mathbb{N} \ x \le x_n < y}} \frac{1}{2^n}.\]

The set $n: x \le x_n < y$ may be empty or may contain some indices, but every summand is nonnegative. Thus,

\[f(y) - f(x) \ge 0,\]

so

\[f(x) \le f(y).\]

Hence, $f$ is non-decreasing.

$b$ The set of discontinuities of $f$ is exactly $D$

Discontinuity at points of $D$

Let $x_k \in D$. We show that $f$ is discontinuous at $x_k$.

Consider $f(x_k)$ and $f(x_k - \varepsilon)$ for small $\varepsilon > 0$. We have

\[f(x_k) - f(x_k - \varepsilon) = \sum_{\substack{n \in \mathbb{N} \ x_k - \varepsilon \le x_n < x_k}} \frac{1}{2^n}.\]

As $\varepsilon \to 0^+$, the only index for which

$x_k - \varepsilon \le x_n < x_k$ holds is $n = k$, so

\[f(x_k) - f(x_k - \varepsilon) \to \frac{1}{2^k}.\]

Thus, $f$ has a jump discontinuity of size $\frac{1}{2^k}$ at $x_k$.

Hence $f$ is discontinuous at every point of $D$.

Continuity at points not in $D$

Now let $x \notin D$. We show that $f$ is continuous at $x$.

Given $\varepsilon > 0$, choose $N$ such that

\[\sum_{n = N+1}^\infty \frac{1}{2^n} < \varepsilon.\]

Since $D$ is a discrete set, there exists $\delta > 0$ such that the interval

$x - \delta, x + \delta$ contains at most some of the finitely many points

$x_1, x_2, \ldots, x_N$, and no others. Therefore, when $ h < \delta$,
\[|f(x + h) - f(x)| \le \sum_{n = N+1}^\infty \frac{1}{2^n} < \varepsilon.\]

Thus, $f$ is continuous at every point outside $D$.

$\square$

(I’m not sure whether the explanation above is entirely correct. If you happen to notice any mistakes, I would really appreciate it if you could leave your suggestions in the comments when you have a moment. Thank you very much for your help and corrections.)