Continuity of Functions

Definitions

-A function f(x) is said to be continuous at a if limx→c (x) = f(c)

A function is said to be continuous on an interval if you can sketch its graph on the
interval without lifting your pencil off the paper. The formal definition of continuity starts
by defining continuity at a point and then extends to continuity on an interval.

The formal definition of continuity at a point has three conditions that must be met.

A function f(x) is continuous at a point where x = c if

I. f(c) = Exists
II. limx→c f(x) Exists
III. f(c) = limx→c f(x)

If one of these Conditions is not met, f is said to be discontinues at x=c

Examples: Check the 3 conditions for continuity, then determine if the function is
continues or not at x=c.

1. f(x) = x3+x2-2 at x=1

Solution:

I. f(1) = 13+12-2 = 0
II. limx→1 f(x)= 13+12-2 = 0
III. F(1) = 0 = limx→1 f(x)

The f is continuous @ x= 1

Nathaniel O.Niñal
 𝑓(𝑥)=𝑥 2 −𝑥−2
2. at x=0, @ x=2
𝑥−2

Solution:
02 −0−2 −2 22 −2−2 0
I. f(0) = = −2 = 1 I. f(2) = = 0 Undefined
0−2 2−2
02 −0−2 −2
II. limx→0 f(0) = = −2 = 1
0−2

The f us dis continuous @ x=2

3. f(x) = x+1, x<4 and (x-4)2 +3, ≥4 @ x=4

Solution:

I. f(4) = (4-4)2+3 = 3
II. limx→4- f(x) = 4+1 = 5, limx→4+f(x) =(4-4)2+3=3

The f is discontinuous @ x= 4

Example 4 to 5 the graph below, determine if the function is continuous

The FF. Values of x:

4. x= -1 5. x = 2

Yes No Nathaniel O. Niñal

Seatwork

Determine if the FF functions are continuous @ the given values of x.

1.) f(x) = 3x2+2x+1 @ x= -2

1
2.) f(x) = 𝑥−2 @x=2

𝑥
3.) f(x) = √4−𝑥 @x=8

4.) f(x) 9x2-1 @x=1

5.) f(x) = x3+x2-2 @x=1

Answer key in seatwork

1. The f is continuous @ x = -2
2. The f is discontinuous @ x = 2
3. The f is discontinuous @ x = 8
4. The f is continuous @ x =1
5. The f is continuous @ x = 1

Nathaniel O.Niñal
 Continuity on All Intervals

Definition:

A function ƒ is continuous over the open interval (a,b) if it's continuous on every
point in (a,b). Ƒ is continuous over the closed interval [a,b] if it's continuous on (a,b), the
right-sided limit of ƒ at x=a is ƒ(a) and the left-sided limit of ƒ at x=b is ƒ(b).

Example: Consider the graph below

Use the graph to determine if the f cont. on the ff. interval

1. (1 ,-1) YES
2. (-∞ , 0) YES
3. (0 , 1) YES
4. (-1 , 3) NO
5. (1 , 2] NO
Nathaniel O.Niñal
Seatwork:

Consider the graph below

Answer the ff.

a. (1,2)
b. (1,3)
c. (-1,1)
d. (2,-3)
e. (-3,-1)
f. (4,1)

Answer key:

a. yes
b. yes
c. yes
d. no
e. no
f. no Nathaniel O.Niñal