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Prove that $f\ast g$ is continuous if $f\in C(\mathbb{T})$ and $g\in R(\mathbb{T})$ (Meaning $f$ is continuous and periodic and $g$ is Riemann integrable and periodic).

So basically, if we define $$C(x) = f\ast g(x) = \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} f(x-t)g(t)dt$$

We want to prove that $C(x)$ is continuous.

Let's look at:$$ \lim_{x\to x_0} C(x) = \lim_{x\to x_0} \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} f(x-t)g(t)dt$$

Now, If I could insert the limit inside the integral I would finished the proof, right?

If so, how do I explain it is a "legal" move?

Ivo Terek
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AmitBB
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1 Answers1

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To answer the question you asked (more or less, "Can I swap the limit and the integral?"), I have no idea. There are some cases where you can, and I can never remember the rules. I had a student who called such swaps "engineer's prerogative," but I think this is a little unkind to engineers. I'm sure others can point you to theorems. But often it's easier just to do things by hand.

If you instead look at \begin{align} C(x) - C(x_0) &= \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} f(x-t)g(t)~dt - \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} f(x_0-t)g(t)~dt\\ &= \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} [f(x-t) - f(x_0 - t)]\cdot g(t)~dt\\ &= \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} [f((x-x_0) - s) - f(-s)]\cdot g(x_0 + s)~ds \end{align} you can estimate the integrand: Since $f$ is continuous on the compact set $[0,2\pi]$, it's uniformly continuous. So for $\epsilon > 0$, there's a $\delta$ such that $|p - q| < \delta$ implies $|f(p) - f(q)| < \epsilon$. Furthermore, because $g$ is integrable, so is $|g|$ (explanation.) That means that for $|x - x_0| < \delta$, we have \begin{align} | C(x) - C(x_0) | &= \frac{1}{2\pi} |\int_0^{2\pi} [f((x-x_0) - s) - f(-s)]\cdot g(x_0 + s)ds| \\ &\le \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} |[f((x-x_0) - s) - f(-s)]\cdot g(x_0 + s)|ds \\ &= \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} \epsilon \cdot |g(x_0 + s)|ds \\ &= \epsilon \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} |g(x_0 + s)| ds \\ &= \epsilon \frac{1}{2\pi} \int_0^{2\pi} |g(s)| ds \text{, by periodicity}\\ &= \epsilon M \end{align} where $M$ is the integral of $|g|$.

So as $\epsilon$ goes to zero, the difference goes to $0$ and $C$ is continuous at $x_0$.

John Hughes
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