Chapter 2: Limits

Section 2.6 Continuity

Objectives:

To understand continuity

To find points of discontinuity or intervals of continuity

To evaluate limits using the principles of continuity

To use the Intermediate Value Theorem

Definition Continuous at a Point

lim
A function is continuous at a if x →a f(x) = f(a). If f is not continuous at a, then a is a
point of discontinuity.

Continuity Checklist

In order for f to be continuous at a, the following three conditions must hold.

1. f(a) is defined
lim
2. x → a f(x) exists
lim
3. x → a f(x) = f(a)

If one or more of these conditions fails, then f is discontinuous at a.

 x-3,x≠3
Example 1: Is F(x) = { continuous?
2, x = 3

Theorem 2.8 Continuity Rules

If the functions f and g are continuous at a, then the following functions are also
continuous at a. Assume c is a constant and n > 0 is an integer.
a. f+g
b. f–g
c. cf
d. f∙g
e. f/g provided g(a) ≠ 0
n
f. (f(x))
Example 2: Is f(x) = x³ - x continuous?
 2
x −1
x+1 ,x<-1
Example 3: Is f(x) continuous at x = - 1? f(x) = { -2 ,x=-1
−√ 2−x 2 , x > - 1
Theorem 2.9 Polynomial and Rational Functions

a. A polynomial is continuous for all x.

b. A rational function (a function of the form p/q, where p and q are

polynomials) is continuous for all x for which q(x) ≠ 0.

Example 4: For what values of x is the function continuous?

x 2 −1
a. f(x) = x−1

x
2
b. f(x) = x +2 x−3
Theorem 2.10 Continuity of Composite Functions at a Point
If g is continuous at a and f is continuous at g(a), then the composite function f ◦ g
is continuous at a.

Theorem 2.11 Limits of Composite Functions

1. If g is continuous at a and f is continuous at g(a), then
lim f (g ( x ))=f ( lim g (x )).
x →a x→a
lim g( x )=L lim f (g ( x ))=f ( lim g (x )).
2. If x →a and f is continuous at L, then x →a x→a

lim |x 3−2 x 2|
Example 5: Find x →− 1

Continuity of an Interval

Definition Continuity at Endpoints

A function is continuous from the right (or right-continuous) at a if
lim f ( x )=f ( a )
x → a+ and f is continuous from the left (or left-continuous) at b if
lim f ( x )=f (b )
x → b− .

Definition Continuity of an Interval

A function f is continuous on an interval I if it is continuous at all points of I. If I
contains its endpoints, continuity of I means continuous from the right or left at
the endpoints.

Functions Involving Roots

Theorem 2.12 Continuity of Functions with Roots

Assume that m and n are positive integers with no common factors. If m is an
n
m
odd integer, then ( f ( x )) is continuous at all points at which f is continuous. If
n
m
m is even, then ( f ( x )) is continuous at all points a at which f is continuous and
f(a) > 0.

Example 6: For what values of x is g(x) = √ 4−x 2 continuous?

Theorem 2.13 Continuity of Trigonometric Functions

The functions sin x, cos x, tan x, cot x, sec x, and csc x are continuous at all points
of their domains.

Theorem 2.14 Intermediate-Value Theorem

Suppose f is continuous on the interval [a, b] and L is a number strictly between
f(a) and f(b). Then there is at least one number c in the interval (a, b) such that
f(c) = L.

Example 7: Show that f(x) = 4 + 3x - x² has at least one solution in the interval

[2, 5].

My Math Lab: Homework for Section 2.6