Solutions

Problem Set 2

MTHE / MATH 328 — Real Analysis · Winter 2026

Problem 1: Baire Category Theorem and Perfect Sets

ProblemBaire Category Theorem and Perfect Sets

(a) Prove Theorem A: Let (X,d)(X, d) be a nonempty complete metric space. Let Ω1,Ω2,X\Omega_1, \Omega_2, \ldots \subseteq X be open dense sets. Then n1Ωn\bigcap_{n \geq 1} \Omega_n is dense in XX.

(b) A set PP is perfect iff it is closed with no isolated points.

(b1) Show PP is perfect iff P=PP = P' (the derived set).

(b2) Prove Theorem B: Let (X,d)(X, d) be a complete metric space and PP a nonempty perfect subset. Then PP is uncountable.

Problem 2: Discontinuity Set of a Pointwise Limit is Meagre

ProblemDiscontinuity Set of a Pointwise Limit is Meagre

Let (X,T)(X, \mathcal{T}) be a topological space, fn:XRf_n : X \to \mathbb{R} continuous for all n1n \geq 1, with fn(x)f(x)f_n(x) \to f(x) pointwise. Let DD be the discontinuity set of ff. Show DD is meagre. Follow the strategy using Pn(ε)={x:f(x)fn(x)ε}P_n(\varepsilon) = \{x : |f(x) - f_n(x)| \leq \varepsilon\}, G(ε)=nint(Pn(ε))G(\varepsilon) = \bigcup_n \text{int}(P_n(\varepsilon)), Y=kG(2k)Y = \bigcap_k G(2^{-k}), Fn(ε)={x:fn(x)fm(x)εmn}F_n(\varepsilon) = \{x : |f_n(x) - f_m(x)| \leq \varepsilon \,\forall m \geq n\}, L(ε)=nint(Fn(ε))L(\varepsilon) = \bigcup_n \text{int}(F_n(\varepsilon)).

Problem 3: λ=n110n!\lambda = \sum_{n \geq 1} 10^{-n!} is Liouville

ProblemLambda Is a Liouville Number

Let λ=n=110n!\lambda = \sum_{n=1}^\infty 10^{-n!}.

(a) Show λQ\lambda \notin \mathbb{Q}.

(b) Show m1n1p/qQ(p/q1/(nqm),p/q+1/(nqm))=k1p/qQ,q>1(p/q1/qk,p/q+1/qk)\bigcap_{m \geq 1} \bigcap_{n \geq 1} \bigcup_{p/q \in \mathbb{Q}} (p/q - 1/(nq^m), p/q + 1/(nq^m)) = \bigcap_{k \geq 1} \bigcup_{p/q \in \mathbb{Q}, q > 1} (p/q - 1/q^k, p/q + 1/q^k).

(c) Let qk=10k!q_k = 10^{k!}, pk==1k10k!!p_k = \sum_{\ell=1}^k 10^{k! - \ell!}. Show λpk/qk<1/qkk|\lambda - p_k/q_k| < 1/q_k^k.

Problem 4: Connected Component

ProblemConnected Component C(p)

Let (X,T)(X, \mathcal{T}) be topological, pXp \in X, C(p)=Sp,S connectedSC(p) = \bigcup_{S \ni p, S \text{ connected}} S. Show C(p)C(p) is connected.

Problem 5: Cosine Oscillation Lemma

ProblemCosine Oscillation Lemma

For every aRa \in \mathbb{R} and k1k \geq 1, there exists x(a+π/k,a+3π/k)x \in (a + \pi/k, a + 3\pi/k) with cos(ka)cos(kx)1|\cos(ka) - \cos(kx)| \geq 1.

Problem 6: A Continuous Nowhere Differentiable Function

ProblemA Continuous Nowhere Differentiable Function

Let f(x)=k=05kcos(200kx)f(x) = \sum_{k=0}^\infty 5^{-k} \cos(200^k x).

(a) Show ff is continuous.

(b)–(i) Show ff is nowhere differentiable by constructing xnax_n \to a with f(xn)f(a)/xna|f(x_n) - f(a)|/|x_n - a| \to \infty.