TITLE: If there exist sequence such that $g(x_n)=f(x_{n+1})$, then we have $g(x_0)=f(x_0)$ for some $x_0$
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: Suppose $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ are continuous functions on $[a,b]$ with $f$ monotone increasing. Assume there exists a sequence $x_n \in [a, b]$ such that for all $n \in N$ , $g(x_n) = f(x_{n+1})$. Show that there exists $x_0 \in [a,b]$ such that $g(x_0) = f(x_0)$.
Can someone provide an example of functions that fulfills this condition?

REPLY [2 votes]: If there is an $n$ such that $g(x_n)=f(x_n)$, we are done. So let us assume that $g(x_n)\ne f(x_n)$ for each $n$.
Now if $g(x_n)>f(x_n)$ and $g(x_{n+1})<f(x_{n+1})$, then the continuity of $f$ and $g$ implies that and $x$ such that $f(x)=g(x)$ exists somewhere between $x_n$ and $x_{n+1}$.
The case that $g(x_n)<f(x_n)$ and $g(x_{n+1})>f(x_{n+1})$ is basically the same.
So the only two remaining cases are:
A. $(\forall n) g(x_n)>f(x_n)$
B. $(\forall n) g(x_n)<f(x_n)$
Let us discuss the case A. (The case B is similar.)
For each $n$ we have $f(x_n)<g(x_n)=f(x_{n+1})$. Since $f$ is increasing, this implies $x_n<x_{n+1}$, i.e. the sequence $(x_n)$ is monotone.
Every monotone bounded sequence must have a limit, so there exists an $x$ such that
$$\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} x_n=x.$$
Now we get, using the continuity of $f$ and $g$, that
$$f(x)=\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} f(x_{n+1})=\lim\limits_{n\to\infty} g(x_n)=g(x).$$