Math 2.0

Real functions Limits and continuity Counterexample

Cantor function

Builds on Cantor setMonotone functionContinuous functionDerivativeAbsolute continuitySingular functionFundamental theorem of calculus

Counterexample

Let C⊆[0,1]C \subseteq [0, 1] be the Cantor set. For x∈[0,1]x \in [0, 1], write xx in base 33 as x=0.a1a2a3…x = 0.a_1 a_2 a_3 \ldots with ak∈{0,1,2}a_k \in \set{0, 1, 2}. If some digit equals 11, delete all digits after the first 11. Then replace each digit 22 by 11, and read the result 0.b1b2b3…0.b_1 b_2 b_3 \ldots in base 22. The value is c(x)=∑kbk2−kc(x) = \sum_k b_k 2^{-k}, and it does not depend on the choice of the base-33 expansion.

The function c ⁣:[0,1]→[0,1]c \colon [0, 1] \to [0, 1] is continuous and nondecreasing, with c(0)=0c(0) = 0 and c(1)=1c(1) = 1. It is constant on each open interval removed in the construction of CC, for example c(x)=1/2c(x) = 1/2 on (1/3,2/3)(1/3, 2/3). So c′(x)=0c'(x) = 0 at every point of [0,1]∖C[0, 1] \setminus C. The Cantor set is a null set, so c′=0c' = 0 almost everywhere. But cc is not constant.

Remarks

The function refutes the claim that a continuous function with derivative 00 almost everywhere is constant. It also shows that the fundamental theorem of calculus in the form ∫01f′=f(1)−f(0)\int_0^1 f' = f(1) - f(0) can fail for a continuous monotone function differentiable almost everywhere. Here ∫01c′(x) dx=0\int_0^1 c'(x) \, dx = 0, while c(1)−c(0)=1c(1) - c(0) = 1. So cc is not absolutely continuous; it is the standard example of a singular function. It maps the null set CC onto all of [0,1][0, 1]. 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.

  1. Absolute continuity concept
  2. Cantor set example
  3. Element definition
  4. Limit point of a set definition
  5. Local maximum definition
  6. Partition of an interval definition
  7. Proposition concept
  8. Sequence definition
  9. Singular function concept
  10. Set definition
  11. Limit of a function definition
  12. Local minimum definition
  13. Mesh of a partition definition
  14. Riemann sum definition
  15. Implication definition
  16. Predicate definition
  17. Real sequence definition
  18. Subsequence definition
  19. Ordered pair definition
  20. Continuity at a point definition
  21. Derivative definition
  22. Riemann integrable function definition
  23. Existential quantifier definition
  24. Universal quantifier definition
  25. Bounded sequence definition
  26. Limit of a sequence definition
  27. Monotone sequence definition
  28. Cartesian product definition
  29. Continuous function definition
  30. Antiderivative definition
  31. Fermat's theorem on stationary points statement
  32. Riemann integral definition
  33. Subset definition
  34. Uniqueness quantifier definition
  35. Convergent sequence definition
  36. Monotone convergence theorem for sequences statement
  37. Every sequence has a monotone subsequence statement
  38. Intermediate value theorem statement
  39. Binary relation definition
  40. Definite integral definition
  41. Bolzano–Weierstrass theorem statement
  42. Reflexive relation definition
  43. Transitive relation definition
  44. Additivity of the integral over intervals statement
  45. Boundedness theorem statement
  46. Monotonicity of the integral statement
  47. Function definition
  48. Preorder definition
  49. Extreme value theorem statement
  50. Mean value theorem for integrals statement
  51. Rolle's theorem statement
  52. Monotone function definition
  53. Mean value theorem statement
  54. First fundamental theorem of calculus statement
  55. Second fundamental theorem of calculus statement
  56. Fundamental theorem of calculus statement
  57. Cantor function counterexample

Where this leads

1 page builds on this one.

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantor_function, Definition
About this page
TagNPBYYK63FE
URIm2://NPBYYK63FE
Kindcounterexample
WritingW0 stub
MSC26A30, 26A48
UsesCantor set, Monotone function, Continuous function, Derivative, Absolute continuity, Singular function, Fundamental theorem of calculus
Same as
Changed2 November 2026

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