Paper 2, Section II, H

Topics in Analysis | Part II, 2019

Throughout this question II denotes the closed interval [−1,1][-1,1].

(a) For n∈Nn \in \mathbb{N}, consider the 2n+12 n+1 points r/n∈Ir / n \in I with r∈Zr \in \mathbb{Z} and −n⩽r⩽n-n \leqslant r \leqslant n. Show that, if we colour them red or green in such a way that −1-1 and 1 are coloured differently, there must be two neighbouring points of different colours.

(b) Deduce from part (a) that, if I=A∪BI=A \cup B with AA and BB closed, −1∈A-1 \in A and 1∈B1 \in B, then A∩B≠∅A \cap B \neq \emptyset.

(c) Deduce from part (b) that there does not exist a continuous function f:I→Rf: I \rightarrow \mathbb{R} with f(t)∈{−1,1}f(t) \in\{-1,1\} for all t∈It \in I and f(−1)=−1,f(1)=1f(-1)=-1, f(1)=1.

(d) Deduce from part (c) that if f:I→If: I \rightarrow I is continuous then there exists an x∈Ix \in I with f(x)=xf(x)=x.

(e) Deduce the conclusion of part (c) from the conclusion of part (d).

(f) Deduce the conclusion of part (b) from the conclusion of part (c).

(g) Suppose that we replace II wherever it occurs by the unit circle

C={z∈C∣∣z∣=1}C=\{z \in \mathbb{C}|| z \mid=1\}

Which of the conclusions of parts (b), (c) and (d) remain true? Give reasons.

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