$\{f_n(x)\}$ sequence of non-negative continuous functions such that $f_{n+1}(x) \le f_n(x)$. Prove $\lim f_n(x) = f(x)$ for all $x \in \mathbb R$.

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Suppose that $\{f_n(x)\}_{n=1}^\infty$ is a sequence of non-negative continuous real-valued functions on $\mathbb R$ such that $f_{n+1}(x) \le f_n(x)$ for all $n \ge 1$ and all $x\in \mathbb R$.

a) Prove that there is a unique function $f(x)$ on $\mathbb R$ such that $\lim f_n(x) = f(x)$ for all $x \in \mathbb R$.

b) Must $f_n \to f$ uniformly on the closed interval $[0, 1]$?

a.) Since $f_{n+1}(x) \le f_n(x)$ for all $x \in \mathbb R$, and each $f_n(x) \ge 0$, then the sequence $\{f_n(x)\}_{n=1}^\infty$ is bounded below by the zero function.

Since $\{f_n(x)\}_{n=1}^\infty$ is bounded below, it converges and since limits are unique, there exists $f(x)$ such that $\lim f_n(x) = f(x)$.

b.) If $f$ is not continuous and each $f_n$ is continuous, then the sequence will not converge uniformly.


I am not sure about my proof of part (a). Is it correct?

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a) You didn't express yourself very well. The sequence is bound bellow because it is assumed that all functions are non-negative. Then, you use the fact that, for each $x$; $\bigl(f_n(x)\bigr)_{n\in\mathbb N}$ is monotonic and decreasing to prove that the limit $\lim_{n\to\infty}f_n(x)$ exists.

b) You should provide a concrete example so that your answer is complete. Take $f_n(x)=\left(\frac 1{1+x^2}\right)^n$, for instance.