# convergent sequences of continuous functions

For any $\alpha\in [0, 1]$ and $g:[a, b]\to [0, 1]$, let us define $g^{-}:[0, 1]\to [a, b]$, by the formula $g^{-}(\alpha) = \inf (x\in [a, b] ; g(x)\ge \alpha )$.

Let $f_{n}, f : [a, b]\to [0, 1]$, $n\in \mathbb{N}$, be continuous on $[a, b]$, such that the value $1$ is attained, for $f$ and for all $f_{n}$. It is true that if $f_{n}\to f$ uniformly on $[a, b]$, then $f_{n}^{-}(\alpha)\to f^{-}(\alpha)$, almost everywhere in $[0, 1]$ ?

Best, George

-
First you have $g$ defined on $[a,b]$, then you ask a conclusion for any $a \in [0,1]$. Not the same $a$? –  Gerald Edgar Apr 18 '12 at 15:37
In addition to what Gerald Edgar asks: how do you define the inf in case the set is empty? That being said, as far as I understand the question, I doubt this is true. Say take maps from [0,1] to itself that are straight lines from some value t, say (1-1/n), at 0 to 1 at 1. Let your sequences of functions be such that t converges to 1; this will converge uniformly to constant 1. While this minus transform you consider at 1 should be 1 for all these functions it should be 0 for the limit (if I understand the def correctly). –  quid Apr 18 '12 at 15:55
One more thought: I guess (but did not check in detail as long as the def is not completely clear) if you change gretear-equal to strict greater this would work. –  quid Apr 18 '12 at 16:20
I apologize, $a$ in the definitions of $g^{-}$, $f_{n}^{-}$ and $f^{-}$ is in fact $\alpha$ (to be not confused with the endpoint $a$ of the interval $[a, b]$. –  George Apr 18 '12 at 16:40
@quid: it seems to me that if we change the definition of f-minus to make the inequality strict, then it is still seen to be false by a similar counterexample: let f_n be 1/n on the interval [0,1/2] and a straight line on the interval [1/2,1]. For each of these functions f_n, the inf of the x with f_n(x) > 0 is 0, but their limit f is 0 on the interval [0,1/2], so the inf of the x with f(x) > 0 is 1/2. –  Trevor Wilson Apr 18 '12 at 17:53

There are two problems:

1. Replace a continuous $g:[a,b]\to [0,1]$ by its monotone non-decreasing majorant $g^{\text{mon}}$ which is the infimum of all monotone non-increasing functions $\ge g$. I did not check the details, but this operation might be continuous in the $\sup$-norm.

2. Is taking inverse on the space of monotone non-decreasing functions $f:[a,b]\to [0,1]$ with $f(a)=0$ (?!) and $f(b)=1$ (?!) into the space of monotone non-decreasing functions $[0,1]\to [a,b]$ continuous with respect to the $\sup$-norms?