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Lesson 5 - Continuity of A Function

This document discusses continuity of functions. It defines continuity at a point as when the limit of a function as x approaches c exists and is equal to the value of the function at c. It also defines continuity on an interval as when a function is continuous at each point in the interval. There are two types of discontinuity: removable discontinuity where the limit exists but is not equal to the function value, and nonremovable discontinuity where the limit does not exist. Examples are provided to illustrate these concepts of continuity and discontinuity.

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253 views

Lesson 5 - Continuity of A Function

This document discusses continuity of functions. It defines continuity at a point as when the limit of a function as x approaches c exists and is equal to the value of the function at c. It also defines continuity on an interval as when a function is continuous at each point in the interval. There are two types of discontinuity: removable discontinuity where the limit exists but is not equal to the function value, and nonremovable discontinuity where the limit does not exist. Examples are provided to illustrate these concepts of continuity and discontinuity.

Uploaded by

Lewis Pharmaceuticals
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 5: Continuity of a Function

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:

1. Illustrate continuity of a function at a number and on an interval.


2. Determine whether a function is continuous at a number and on an interval.
3. Determine the two types of discontinuity.

CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION

lim f ( x )
x→ c
The previous section pointed out that if exists, then its value is not
necessarily equal to f(c), the value of the function at x = c. On the other note, it is
possible for the value of f(c) to exist and not
lim f ( x )
x→ c
. Nevertheless, when both of them exist and are equal then we say that the
function f is continuous at c. Continuous function is stated formally in the following
definition.

DEFINITION OF CONTINUITY:
A. Continuity at a Point: A function f is said to be continuous at the number c if the
following three conditions are satisfied:
lim f ( x ) lim f ( x )
x→ c x→ c
(i) f(c) is defined (ii) exists (iii)
= f(c)
4−3 x
EXAMPLE A: Determine whether f ( x )= is continuous or not at a=2.
x 2−1
B. Continuity on an Open Interval: A function f is said to be continuous on an open
( a,b )
interval if it is continuous at each point in the interval. A function that is continuous
(−∞,+∞ )
on the entire real number line is continuous everywhere, i.e., any function is said
to be continuous at every number in its domain.

g ( x ) =√ x−2
EXAMPLE B: Discuss the continuity of the function defined by on the open
( 4,9 )
interval .
Solution:
The domain of g is all real numbers greater than or equal to 2. Thus, the function g is
( 4,9 )
continuous at every x-value in its domain. Since all values in the interval are elements
g ( x ) =√ x−2
of the domain of g, then the function defined by is continuous on the open
( 4,9 )
interval .

If one of the three conditions in Definition A fails to hold, then we say that the
function f is said to have a discontinuity at x = c. Geometrically, a function f has a
discontinuity at the number c if there is a break, a cut, a gap, a hole, or a jump in the graph
y=f ( x)
of the at the point where x = c. The possible graphs of functions that have
discontinuity at c are shown below:
lim f ( x )
f (c ) x→ c
is not defined does not exist
lim f ( x )≠f ( c )
x→ c

lim f ( x ) lim f ( x )≠f (c )


x→ c x→ c

If function f is not continuous at c but exists, then either


or f(c) is not defined. If this situation occurs then we say that the discontinuity is
lim f ( x )
x→ c

removable. This type of discontinuity can actually be redefined so that = f(c)


and hence, the resulting function f is turned into a continuous function at c. This is the
reason for the term “removable”. If the discontinuity at c is not removable, then it is called
a(n) nonremovable/essential discontinuity.

DEFINITION OF CONTINUITY ON A CLOSED INTERVAL:


[ a,b ]
A function f is continuous on the closed interval if it is continuous on the open
lim f ( x )=f ( a ) lim f ( x )=f ( b )
( a,b ) x → a+ x → b−
interval and and .
The function f is continuous from the right at a and continuous from the left at b.
2
f ( x )=x +1
EXAMPLE C: Discuss the continuity of the function defined by on the closed
[ −4,3 ]
interval .
Solution:
The domain of f is all real numbers. Thus, the function f is continuous at every x-
[ −4,3 ]
value in its domain. Since all values in the interval are elements of the domain of f,
2
f ( x )=x +1 (−4,3 )
then the function defined by is continuous on the open interval .
Moreover, because

lim ( x +1 ) = (−4 ) + 1 = 5 = f (−4 )


2 2

x → −4 + Continuous from the right


and

lim ( x +1 ) = ( 3 ) + 1 = 10 = f ( 3 )
2 2

x → 3−
Continuous from the left
[ −4,3 ]
we can conclude that f is continuous on the closed interval .

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