Piecewise Continuous Function with Improper Integrals may not be Bounded

Theorem
Let $f$ be a real function defined on a closed interval $\closedint a b$, $a < b$.

Let $f$ be a piecewise continuous function with improper integrals.

Then $f$ may not be piecewise continuous and bounded on $\closedint a b$.

Proof
Consider the function:


 * $\map f x = \begin{cases}

0 & : x = a \\ \dfrac 1 {\sqrt{x - a} } & : x \in \hointl a b \end{cases}$

Since $\dfrac 1 {\sqrt{x - a} }$ is continuous on $\openint a b$, $f$ is continuous on $\openint a b$.

Therefore, $f$ satisfies $(1)$ in the requirements of a piecewise continuous function with improper integrals for the subdivision $\set {a, b}$ of $\closedint a b$.

Also:

Hence $\ds \int_{a+}^{b-} \map f x \rd x$ exists.

Thus $f$ is a piecewise continuous function with improper integrals.

However, we have that $\map f x$ approaches $\infty$ as $x$ approaches $a$ from above.

Thus $f$ is not bounded.

Therefore $f$ is not piecewise continuous and bounded.

Hence the result.

Also see

 * Bounded Piecewise Continuous Function has Improper Integrals