Periodic function without a least positive period

ID: periodic-function-without-a-least-positive-period

Define the indicator function of the rational numbers on the real line by for rational and otherwise. Every rational shift preserves rationality and irrationality, so every nonzero rational number is a period of a function. Conversely, an irrational shift sends from value one to value zero, so it is not a period. The period group of a function is exactly , and the positive periods approach zero without a smallest one. The function is nonconstant and discontinuous everywhere; this is why continuity matters in continuous periodic functions have a least positive period.

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