Real functions Limits and continuity Counterexample
Cantor function
Builds on Cantor setMonotone functionContinuous functionDerivativeAbsolute continuitySingular functionFundamental theorem of calculus
Counterexample
Let be the Cantor set. For , write in base as with . If some digit equals , delete all digits after the first . Then replace each digit by , and read the result in base . The value is , and it does not depend on the choice of the base- expansion.
The function is continuous and nondecreasing, with and . It is constant on each open interval removed in the construction of , for example on . So at every point of . The Cantor set is a null set, so almost everywhere. But is not constant.
Remarks
The function refutes the claim that a continuous function with derivative almost everywhere is constant. It also shows that the fundamental theorem of calculus in the form can fail for a continuous monotone function differentiable almost everywhere. Here , while . So is not absolutely continuous; it is the standard example of a singular function. It maps the null set onto all of . Its graph is often called the devil's staircase.
Reading path
To understand this page from the ground up, read these 57 pages in order. The foundations come first.
- Absolute continuity concept
- Cantor set example
- Element definition
- Limit point of a set definition
- Local maximum definition
- Partition of an interval definition
- Proposition concept
- Sequence definition
- Singular function concept
- Set definition
- Limit of a function definition
- Local minimum definition
- Mesh of a partition definition
- Riemann sum definition
- Implication definition
- Predicate definition
- Real sequence definition
- Subsequence definition
- Ordered pair definition
- Continuity at a point definition
- Derivative definition
- Riemann integrable function definition
- Existential quantifier definition
- Universal quantifier definition
- Bounded sequence definition
- Limit of a sequence definition
- Monotone sequence definition
- Cartesian product definition
- Continuous function definition
- Antiderivative definition
- Fermat's theorem on stationary points statement
- Riemann integral definition
- Subset definition
- Uniqueness quantifier definition
- Convergent sequence definition
- Monotone convergence theorem for sequences statement
- Every sequence has a monotone subsequence statement
- Intermediate value theorem statement
- Binary relation definition
- Definite integral definition
- Bolzano–Weierstrass theorem statement
- Reflexive relation definition
- Transitive relation definition
- Additivity of the integral over intervals statement
- Boundedness theorem statement
- Monotonicity of the integral statement
- Function definition
- Preorder definition
- Extreme value theorem statement
- Mean value theorem for integrals statement
- Rolle's theorem statement
- Monotone function definition
- Mean value theorem statement
- First fundamental theorem of calculus statement
- Second fundamental theorem of calculus statement
- Fundamental theorem of calculus statement
- Cantor function counterexample
Where this leads
1 page builds on this one.
Further reading
About this page
| Tag | NPBYYK63FE |
|---|---|
| URI | m2://NPBYYK63FE |
| Kind | counterexample |
| Writing | W0 stub |
| MSC | 26A30, 26A48 |
| Uses | Cantor set, Monotone function, Continuous function, Derivative, Absolute continuity, Singular function, Fundamental theorem of calculus |
| Same as | |
| Changed | 2 November 2026 |
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What this page needs for W1
- edge refutes or not_instance_of out (0 of 1)
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