Skip to main content
added 76 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229

It looks like I have been ableLet us actually show more than requested, namely, that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $(x_n)$ converging to improve$\infty$ and all natural $n$. Moreover, the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, will not be used or needed.

LetIndeed, suppose that, to the contrary, the statement in the first sentence of this answer is false. Then \begin{equation} \text{there is some real $x_*>0$ such that $f(x)>0$ for all $x>x_*$.} \tag{1} \end{equation} Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

LetLet \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (onon $(0,\infty)$)$(x_*,\infty)$. So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (onon $(0,\infty)$)$(x_*,\infty)$. It follows that $r'\ge0$ and hence $r$ is nondecreasing (onon $(0,\infty)$)$(x_*,\infty)$; indeed, if $r'(x_0)<0$$r'(x_{**})<0$ for some real $x_0>0$$x_{**}>x_*$, then the concavity of $r$ implies $r(x)\le r(x_0)+r'(x_0)(x-x_0)\to-\infty$$r(x)\le r(x_{**})+r'(x_{**})(x-x_{**})\to-\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, which contradicts the positivity of $r$.
  So, $r(x)\uparrow R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$$[x_{***},\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$$x_{***}>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$$[x_{***},\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. ThusTherefore, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or neededhence the statement in the first sentence of this answer is true.

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). It follows that $r'\ge0$ and hence $r$ is nondecreasing (on $(0,\infty)$); indeed, if $r'(x_0)<0$ for some real $x_0>0$, then the concavity of $r$ implies $r(x)\le r(x_0)+r'(x_0)(x-x_0)\to-\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, which contradicts the positivity of $r$.
  So, $r(x)\uparrow R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

Let us actually show more than requested, namely, that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $(x_n)$ converging to $\infty$ and all natural $n$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, will not be used or needed.

Indeed, suppose that, to the contrary, the statement in the first sentence of this answer is false. Then \begin{equation} \text{there is some real $x_*>0$ such that $f(x)>0$ for all $x>x_*$.} \tag{1} \end{equation} Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ on $(x_*,\infty)$. So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function on $(x_*,\infty)$. It follows that $r'\ge0$ and hence $r$ is nondecreasing on $(x_*,\infty)$; indeed, if $r'(x_{**})<0$ for some real $x_{**}>x_*$, then the concavity of $r$ implies $r(x)\le r(x_{**})+r'(x_{**})(x-x_{**})\to-\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, which contradicts the positivity of $r$. So, $r(x)\uparrow R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_{***},\infty)$ for some real $x_{***}>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_{***},\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Therefore, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, (1) is false, and hence the statement in the first sentence of this answer is true.

added 266 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). So It follows that $r'\ge0$ and hence $r$ is nondecreasing (on $(0,\infty)$); indeed, if $r(x)\to R$$r'(x_0)<0$ for some real $x_0>0$, then the concavity of $r$ implies $r(x)\le r(x_0)+r'(x_0)(x-x_0)\to-\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, which contradicts the positivity of $r$.
So, $r(x)\uparrow R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r(x)\to R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). It follows that $r'\ge0$ and hence $r$ is nondecreasing (on $(0,\infty)$); indeed, if $r'(x_0)<0$ for some real $x_0>0$, then the concavity of $r$ implies $r(x)\le r(x_0)+r'(x_0)(x-x_0)\to-\infty$ as $x\to\infty$, which contradicts the positivity of $r$.
So, $r(x)\uparrow R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

deleted 1 character in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r(x)\to R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $s'(x)=b\rho\cos bx=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$$b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r(x)\to R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $s'(x)=b\rho\cos bx=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

It looks like I have been able to improve the previous partial affirmative answer to a complete one now:

Let $a:=\alpha$. Let $h:=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$, so that $h\le0$. Without loss of generality (wlog), \begin{equation} \text{$f(x)\ge e^x - 1>0$ for all $x>0$.} \tag{1} \end{equation}

Let \begin{equation} r(x):=f(x)/e^{ax}. \tag{2} \end{equation} Then the equation $h=f'' - 2a f' + 2a f$ can be rewritten as \begin{equation*} r''+b^2r=g,\quad\text{where}\ g(x):=h(x)/e^{ax}\le0 \end{equation*} and $b:=\sqrt{(2-a)a}>0.$ In view of (1) and (2), $r>0$ (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r''=-b^2r+g<0$, so that $r$ is a strictly positive concave function (on $(0,\infty)$). So, $r(x)\to R$ and $r'(x)\downarrow k$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $R\in(0,\infty]$ and $k\in[0,\infty)$.

Take now any $\rho\in(0,R)$ and let \begin{equation*} d:=r-s,\quad\text{where }s(x):=\rho\sin bx. \end{equation*} Then $d>0$ on $[x_*,\infty)$ for some real $x_*>0$. Also, $d''+b^2d=g$, so that $d''=-b^2d+g<0$ and hence $d$ is a positive concave function on $[x_*,\infty)$, so that $d'(x)\downarrow \ell$ as $x\to\infty$, for some $\ell\in[0,\infty)$. Thus, $b\rho\cos bx=s'(x)=r'(x)-d'(x)\to k-\ell$ as $x\to\infty$, which is absurd. Thus, the first inequality in (1) is false for some $x>0$, as desired.

Actually, more than that is proved: we proved that $f(x_n)\le0$ for some sequence $x_n\to\infty$. Moreover, the initial conditions, $f(0) = 0$ and $f'(0) = 1$, have not been used or needed.

added 27 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229
Loading
deleted 998 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229
Loading
added 1352 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229
Loading
added 95 characters in body
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229
Loading
Source Link
Iosif Pinelis
  • 127.7k
  • 8
  • 107
  • 229
Loading