calculus - $f$ continuous, $alt b$, $y$ between $f(a)$ and $f(b)$, then exists $x$, $alt xlt b$, $f(x)=y$

If $f$ is continuous on $I$, then: whenever $a, b \in I$, $a < b$ and $y$ lies between $f(a)$ and $f(b)$, then there exists at least one $x \in (a,b)$ such that $f(x) = y$.

Proof: Suppose $f(b) < y < f(a)$. Let $S := \{x \in [a,b] : y < f(x)\}$. Since obviously $a \in S$, then $S$ is not empty, therefore $\inf S = x_0 \in [a,b]$. Now, for every positive integer $n$, $x_0 + \frac{1}{n}$ is not a lower bound for $S$. hence, there exists $(s_n) \subseteq S$ such that $$x_0 \leq s_n < x_0 + \frac{1}{n}$$

By the squeeze rule, obviously $\lim s_n = x_0$. By continuity of $f$, $\lim f(s_n) = f(x_0)$. Hence since $f(s_n) > y$, then

\begin{align}
f(x_0) \geq y. \tag{I}
\end{align}

Now, let $t_n = \max\{b, x_0 - \frac{1}{n}\}$. Then, we have that $x_0 - \frac{1}{n} \leq t_n \leq x_0$. So, by squeeze rule, $\lim t_n = x_0$. But, we also have $t_n \notin S$, therefore, $f(t_n) \leq y$ for all $n$. The continuity of $f$ implies that $\lim f(t_n)$ =

\begin{align}

f(x_0) \leq y. \tag{II}
\end{align}

(I) and (II) gives desired result.

Is this proof correct? Is there a better way to solve this problem?
Thanks.

Answer

It’s not quite right: as you’ve defined $S$, $\inf S=a$. You want to let $x_0=\sup S$ and choose a sequence $\langle s_n:n\in\Bbb Z^+\rangle$ in $S$ such that $$x_0-\frac1n

In other words, you somehow got the picture turned around at the beginning, but the logic is otherwise correct. You could also fix it by assuming that $f(a)

Added: I should have said that apart from that one glitch, it’s very nicely written.