Proof of Smooth Test Function Criterion for Convergence in Distribution
theoremthm:smooth-test-convergence-distribution-2026aClaim 1. A map is in particular differentiable, hence continuous at every point (directly from the definition of the derivative and limit arithmetic), so is Borel measurable by the generator criterion of that definition (preimages of open sets are open). Consequently is a random variable, as preimages compose. If pointwise, then pointwise; the constant is a nonnegative simple function with integral on a probability space, so by monotonicity (claim 1 of Linearity and Monotonicity of the Lebesgue Integral) and is integrable; its expectation is a real number.
Claim 2, Step 1 (smooth monotone transitions). Let be the function for and for , which is a smooth map with and exactly on , by Step 1 of the proof of Existence of Smooth Bump Functions on Euclidean Space (with the exponential function now the published one; the argument is identical). For real define
The denominator is everywhere positive (for each at least one of , holds), so is smooth by Products and Quotients of C^k Real-Valued Maps on Euclidean Open Sets Are C^k (quotient with nonvanishing denominator) and the smoothness of the two affine compositions; moreover , on (there and ) and on . Every derivative of is continuous and vanishes on (where the function is locally constant), hence is bounded: on the compact interval it attains a maximum and minimum by Extreme Value Theorem on a Compact Interval, and it vanishes elsewhere. Therefore is an admissible test function in the sense of the statement.
Claim 2, Step 2 (squeezing the distribution functions). Fix at which is continuous, and let . Consider and . Pointwise,
Taking expectations of the compositions with and and using monotonicity (Linearity and Monotonicity of the Lebesgue Integral) together with (Simple Function and Its Integral, Distribution and Cumulative Distribution Function of a Random Variable),
By hypothesis , so with and of bounded real sequences as in the proof of Dominated Convergence Theorem,
Letting and using continuity of at , both outer bounds converge to ; hence . Since was an arbitrary continuity point, in distribution by Almost Sure Convergence, Convergence in Probability, and Convergence in Distribution.
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Prerequisites
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