Push Theorem

Theorem
Let $f$ be a real function which is continuous on the open interval $\openint a {+\infty}$, $a \in \R$, such that:


 * $\displaystyle \lim_{x \mathop \to +\infty} \map f x = +\infty$

Let $g$ be a real function defined on some open interval $\openint b {+\infty}$ such that, for sufficiently large $x$:


 * $\map g x > \map f x$

Then:


 * $\displaystyle \lim_{x \mathop \to +\infty} \map g x = +\infty$

Proof
Let $\displaystyle \lim_{x \mathop \to +\infty} \map f x = +\infty$.

By the definition of infinite limits at infinity, this means:


 * $\forall M_1 \in \R_{>0}: \exists N_1 \in \R_{>0}: x > N_1 \implies \map f x > M_1$

Now, the assertion that $\map g x \to +\infty$ is:


 * $\forall M_1 \in \R_{>0}: \exists N_2 \in \R_{>0}: x > N_2 \implies \map g x > M_1$

By the premise that $\map g x > \map f x$ for sufficiently large $x$, there is an $N$ such that:


 * $x > N \implies \map g x > \map f x$

Now, given $M_1$, let $N_2$ be greater than both $N_1$ and $N$.

Then since $N_2 > N$ and $N_2 > N_1$ respectively:


 * $\map g x > \map f x > M_1$

whence:


 * $\displaystyle \lim_{x \mathop \to +\infty} \map g x = +\infty$

Note on Terminology
The author of this page has not found a name for this theorem in any English source.

Push Theorem is the translation of the Dutch name of this theorem: Duwstelling.

Also see

 * Comparison Test for Divergence