It is possible that both `f` and `g` are differentiable e.g. `f(x)=xe^x` and `g(x)=e^(-x).` But it's not necessary. One counter example would be
`f(x)=sgn(x)={(1, if x>0),(0, if x=0),(-1, if x<0):}`
`g(x)=|x|={(x, if x>=0),(-x, if x<0):}`
It is easy to see that `f(x)g(x)=x`, but neither `f` nor `g` are differentiable at 0. More so `f` isn't even continuous at 0.
Graph shows graphs of functions `f` (red) and `g` (blue).
It is true that `f(0)=g(0)=0` but if we change definition of `g` like this
`g(x)={(1, if x>=0),(-1, if x<0):}`
then we would still have `f(x)g(x)=x` but `g(0)=1`
To sum it up if `f(x)g(x)=x` it's possible but not necessary for either `f` or `g` to be differentiable or that `f(0)=g(0)=0.`
This is false. If `f(x)g(x)=x,` and `f` and `g` are differentiable, then taking the derivative of both sides using the product rule results in
`f'(x)g(x)+f(x)g'(x)=1` for all `x.`
But if `f(0)=g(0)=0,` then the equality doesn't hold for `x=0,` which contradicts what was just said.
The last two sentences in the question seem a little mixed up. An example isn't enough to show that the statement is false (an example where it is possible obviously proves the statement is true, however). Only a proof can show that the statement is false.
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Already a member? Log in here.