Limits of continuous functions

Like any definition, the definition of a continuous function

is reversible.  That means, if

then we may say that f(x) is continuous.  And conversely, if

we say that f(x) is continuous, then

Therefore:
To evaluate the limit of any continuous
function as x approaches a value, simply evaluate
the function at that value.

Definition 3.

   Example
2.   Evaluate  
  Solutio
n.  
The student should have a firm grasp of the basic
values of the trigonometric functions.  In calculus, they are
indispensable.  See Topics 15 and 16 of Trigonometry.

   Problem
2.   Evaluate  
sin 0 = 0.

   Problem
3.   Evaluate  
Problem 4.   Velocity, v(t), is a continuous function of
time t.  Let
v(t) = 2t 2 + 1.
If distance is measured in meters, and the function is
defined at 
t = 5 sec, then explain why

Since v(t) is a continuous function, then the limit

as t approaches 5 is equal to the value of v(t) at t = 5.

* * *
If a function is not continuous at a value, then it
is discontinuous at that value.  Here is the graph of a
function that is discontinuous at x = 0.

1
This is the graph .  At x = 0, the function
of  y =  x
is not defined,
because division by 0 is an excluded operation. (Skill in
Algebra, Lesson 5.)  x = 0 is a point of discontinuity.  In
fact, as x approaches 0 -- whether from the right or from
the left -- y does not approach any number.
 Nevertheless, as x increases continuously in an
interval that does not include 0, then y will decrease
continuously in that interval.  We say,
1
"The function  is continuous for all values
y =  x
of x except x = 0."

Equivalently,
1
"The function  is continuous for all values of x in
y =  x
its domain."

Example 3.   Consider this function:

x2 −
f(x 4
=
)  x −
2
This function is undefined at x = 2, and therefore it is
discontinuous there; however, we will come back to
this below.
The function nevertheless is defined at all other values
of x, and it is continuous at all other values.
For example, as x approaches 8, then according to
the Theorems of Lesson 2,  f(x) approaches f(8).
6
f(8)  =
0
=   6 10.
f(x) therefore is continuous at x = 8. (Definition 3.)
In this same way, we could show that the function is
continuous at all values of x except x = 2.

This is an example of a perverse function, in which the

function is deliberately assigned a value different from the
limit as x approaches 1. That limit is 5.  But the value of
 the function at x = 1 is −17.  f(x) is not continuous at x =
1.
In lessons on continuous functions, such problems
(logical jokes?) tend to be common. They are constructed
to test the student's understanding of the definition of
continuity.  Such functions have a very brief lifetime
however.  After the lesson on continuous functions, the
student will never see their like again.
Removable discontinuity
For a function to be continuous at  x = c, it must exist
at x = c. However, when a function does not exist at x = c,
it is sometimes possible to assign a value so that it will be
continuous there.
This function
x2 −
f(x 4
=
)  x −
2
does not exist at x = 2.  But for every value of x 2:
x 2  −
(x + 2)
4 x +
=(x − 2) =
 x − 2.
      x − 2
2

Therefore, as x approaches 2,

(Compare Example 2 of Lesson 2.)  That is,

 Now,  f(x) is not defined at x = 2 -- but we could define
it.  We could define it to have the value of that limit   We
could say,
"At x = 2, let f(x) have the value 4."

If we do that, then f(x) will be continuous at x = 2 --

because the limit at that value will be the value of the
function.

(Definition 3.)
When we are able to define a function at a value where
it is undefined or its value is not the limit, we say that the
function has a removable discontinuity.
Note: Since

then upon defining  f(2) as 4, then   has effectively been

defined as 1.
Problem 5.   Consider this function:

a)  For which value of x is this function discontinuous?  x =

3.
b)  Define the function there so that it will be continuous.
Since the limit of f(x) as x approaches 3 is 8, then if
we define f(3) = 8, rather than 7, then we have
removed the discontinuity.

Next Lesson:  The "limit" infinity (∞)