Continuity

Sheet
Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
KEY CONCEPTS
THINGS TO REMEMBER :
1. A function f(x) is said to be continuous at x = c, if Limit f(x) = f(c). Symbolically
x c
f is continuous at x = c if Limit f(c - h) = Limit f(c+h) = f(c).
h 0 h 0
i.e. LHL at x = c = RHL at x = c equals Value of ‘f’ at x = c.
It should be noted that continuity of a function at x = a is meaningful only if the function is defined in the
immediate neighbourhood of x = a, not necessarily at x = a.
2. Reasons of discontinuity:
(i) Limit f(x) does not exist
x c
i.e. Limit f(x)  Limit f (x)
x c 
x c
(ii) f(x) is not defined at x= c
(iii) Limit f(x)  f (c)
x c
Geometrically, the graph of the function will exhibit a break at x= c. The graph as shown is discontinuous
at x = 1 , 2 and 3.
3. Types of Discontinuities :
Type - 1: ( Removable type of discontinuities)
In case Limit f(x) exists but is not equal to f(c) then the function is said to have a removable discontinuity
x c
or discontinuity of the first kind. In this case we can redefine the function such that Limit f(x) = f(c) &
x c
make it continuous at x= c. Removable type of discontinuity can be further classified as :
(a) M ISSING POINT DISCONTINUITY : Where Limit f(x) exists finitely but f(a) is not defined.
x a
2 sin x
e.g. f(x) = (1  x )(9  x ) has a missing point discontinuity at x = 1 , and f(x) = has a missing point
1  x  x
discontinuity at x = 0
(b) ISOLATED POINT DISCONTINUITY : Where Limit f(x) exists & f(a) also exists but ; Limit  f(a).
x a x a
x 2  16
e.g. f(x) = , x  4 & f (4) = 9 has an isolated point discontinuity at x = 4.
x4
0 if x  I

Similarly f(x) = [x] + [ –x] =  has an isolated point discontinuity at all x  I.
 1 if x  I
Type-2: ( Non - Removable type of discontinuities)
In case Limit f(x) does not exist then it is not possible to make the function continuous by redefining it.
x c
Such discontinuities are known as non - removable discontinuity or discontinuity of the 2nd kind.
Non-removable type of discontinuity can be further classified as :
1 1
(a) Finite discontinuity e.g. f(x) = x  [x] at all integral x ; f(x) = tan 1 at x = 0 and f(x) = 1 at x = 0
x
( note that f(0+) = 0 ; f(0–) = 1 ) 1 2 x

1  cosx
(b) Infinite discontinuity e.g. f(x) = 1 or g(x) = at x = 4 ; f(x) = 2tanx at x = and f(x) =
x4 ( x  4) 2 2 x
at x = 0.
(c) Oscillatory discontinuity e.g. f(x) = sin 1 at x = 0.
x

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In all these cases the value of f(a) of the function at x= a (point of discontinuity) may or may not exist but
Limit does not exist.
x a
Note: From the adjacent graph note that
– f is continuous at x = – 1
– f has isolated discontinuity at x = 1
– f has missing point discontinuity at x = 2
– f has non removable (finite type)
discontinuity at the origin.
4. In case of dis-continuity of the second kind the non-negative difference between the value of the RHL at
x = c & LHL at x = c is called THE JUMP OF DISCONTINUITY. A function having a finite number of jumps
in a given interval I is called a PIECE WISE CONTINUOUS or SECTIONALLY CONTINUOUS function in this
interval.
5. All Polynomials, Trigonometrical functions, exponential & Logarithmic functions are continuous in their
domains.
6. If f & g are two functions that are continuous at x= c then the functions defined by :
F1(x) = f(x)  g(x); F2(x) = K f(x), K any real number; F3(x) = f(x).g(x) are also continuous at x= c.
f (x)
Further, if g (c) is not zero, then F4(x) = is also continuous at x= c.
g(x)
7. The intermediate value theorem:
Suppose f(x) is continuous on an interval I , and a
and b are any two points of I. Then if y0 is a number
between f(a) and f(b) , their exists a number c
between a and b such that f(c) = y0.
The function f, being continuous on [a,b)
takes on every value between f(a) and f(b)
NOTE VERY CAREFULLY THAT :
(a) If f(x) is continuous & g(x) is discontinuous at x = a then the product function (x) = f(x). g(x) is not
necessarily be discontinuous at x = a. e.g.
sin x x0
f(x) = x & g(x) = 
0 x0
(b) If f(x) and g(x) both are discontinuous at x = a then the product function (x) = f(x). g(x) is not necessarily
be discontinuous at x = a. e.g.
 1 x0
f(x) =  g(x) = 
 1 x0

(c) Point functions are to be treated as discontinuous. eg. f(x) = 1  x  x 1 is not continuous at x = 1.

(d) A Continuous function whose domain is closed must have a range also in closed interval.
(e) If f is continuous at x = c & g is continuous at x = f(c) then the composite g[f(x)] is continuous at x = c.
x sin x x sin x
eg. f(x) = & g(x) = x are continuous at x = 0 , hence the composite (gof) (x) = will also
x2  2 x2  2
be continuous at x=0.
8. CONTINUITY IN AN INTERVAL :
(a) A function f is said to be continuous in (a , b) if f is continuous at each & every point (a , b).

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(b) A function f is said to be continuous in a closed interval a ,b  if :

(i) f is continuous in the open interval (a , b) &
(ii) f is right continuous at ‘a’ i.e. Limit f(x) = f(a) = a finite quantity..
x a
(iii) f is left continuous at ‘b’ i.e. Limit f(x) = f(b) = a finite quantity..
xb
Note that a function f which is continuous in a ,b  possesses the following properties :
(i) If f(a) & f(b) possess opposite signs, then there exists at least one solution of the equation f(x) = 0 in the
open interval (a , b).
(ii) If K is any real number between f(a) & f(b), then there exists at least one solution of the equation
f(x) = K in the open inetrval (a , b).
9. SINGLE POINT CONTINUITY:
Functions which are continuous only at one point are said to exhibit single point continuity
x if x Q x if x Q
e.g. f(x) = and g(x) = are both continuous only at x = 0.
 x if x  Q 0 if x  Q

SOLVED EXAMPLE
1. Find all points of discontinuity of f, where f is defined by

| x | 3, if x  3

f (x)  2x, if  3  x  3
6x  2, if x  3

Sol. f(x) = |x| + 3 x  –3
= –2x –3 < x < 3
= 6x + 2 x3
Left hand, right hand limit and the value of function coincide at x = –3
f(–3–) = f(–3) = 6 and f(–3+) = 6
 function is continuous at x = –3
y
20

-3 0 3

-6

Left hand limit coincide with the value of function but right
hand limit is not coincide
f(3–) = – 6 and f(3) = f(3+) = 20
 f(x) is discontinuous at x = 3

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
2. For what value of  is the function defined by

(x 2  2x), if x  0
f (x)   continous at x = 0? What about continuity at x = 1 ?
 4x  1, if x  0
Sol. f(x) = (x2 – 2x) x0
= 4x + 1 x>0
if f(x) is continuous at x = 0, then
f(0–) = f(0) = f(0+)
0 = 1 (Not possible)
 there is no value of  possible
f(1–) = f(1) = f(1+) = 5
 f(x) is continuous at x = 1

3. Determine if f defined by

 2 1
 x sin , if x  0
f (x)   x is a continuous function ?
 0, if x  0

2
Sol. f(x) = x2 sin x0
x
=0 x=0
2 1
f(0–) = lim x sin 0
x 0 x

2 1
f(0+) = lim x sin 0
x 0 x
f(0–) = f(0+) = f(0) = 0
 f(x) is continuous every where


4. Find the values of k so that the function f is continuous at x =
2
 k cos x 
   2x , if x  2
f (x)  
 3, 
if x 
 2
k cos x 
Sol. f (x)  x
  2x 2

3 x
2
 
k sin   x 
  k cos x   2 k
f    lim    lim
 2  x     2x  x   2    x  2
2 2 2 
 

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
if f(x) is continuous at x = , then
2

   
   k
f f   3  k=6
 2  2  2  2

5. Find the values of a and b such that the function defined by

5, if x  2

f (x)  ax  b if 2  x  10 is a continuous function
 21, if x  10

Sol. f(x) = 5 x2
= ax + b 2 < x < 10
= 21 x  10
if f(x) is continuous function, then if f(x) is continuous everywhere
f(2–) = f(2) = f(2+)
 2a + b = 5 .....(i)
f(10–) = f(10) = f(10+) .....(ii)
10a + b = 21
 a=2 b=1


6. If f(x) = [sin(x – 1)] – {sin(x – 1)}. Comment on continuity of f(x) at x  1
2
(where [.] denotes G.I.F. and {.} denotes fractional part function).
Sol. f(x) = [sin(x – 1)] – {sin(x – 1)}
Let g(x) = [sin(x – 1)] + {sin(x – 1)} = sin(x –1)

which is continuous at x  1
2

as [sin(x – 1)] and {sin(x –1)} both are discontinuous at x  1
2

 At most one of f(x) or g(x) can be continuous at x  1
2

As g(x) is continuous at x   1 , therefore, f(x) must be discontinuous
2

  sin x  ; 0  x 1

7. If f  x   2  5 , where {.} represents fractional part function and
 x – 3  .sgn  x – 4  ; 1  x  2
   
[.] is greatest integer function, then comment on the continuity of function in the interval [0, 2].
Sol. (i) Continuity should be checked at the end-points of intervals of each definition i.e. x = 0, 1, 2
(ii) For [sin x], continuity should be checked at all values of x at which sin x  I
1
i.e. x = 0,
2

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 2  5 
(iii) For x –  .sgn  x –  , continuity should be checked when x –  0
 3  4 4
5 2
(as sgn (x) is discontinuous at x = 0) i.e. x  and when x –  I
4 3
5
i.e. x (as {x} is discontinuous when x  I)
3
1 5 5
 over all discontinuity should be checked at x = 0, , 1, , and 2 check the
2 4 3
discontinutiy your self.
1 5 5
discontinuous at x  , 1, ,
2 4 3

x 1 1
8. If f  x   and g  x   , then discuss the continuity of f(x), g(x) and fog(x).
x –1 x–2
x 1
Sol. f x 
x –1
f(x) is a rational function it must be continuous in its domain
and f is not defined at x = 1
 f is discontinuous at x = 1
1
gx 
x–2
g(x) is also a rational function. It must be continuous in its domain and g is not defined
at x = 2
 g is discontinuous at x = 2
Now fog(x) will discontinuous at
(i) x=2 (point of discontinuity of g(x))
(ii) g(x) = 1 (when g(x) = point of discontinuity of f(x))
1
if g(x) = 1  1  x=3
x–2
 discontinuity of fog(x) should be checked at x = 2 and x = 3 at x = 2
1
1
fog  x   x – 2
1
–1
x–2
fog(2) is not defined
1
1
x – 2 1 x – 2
lim fog  x   lim  lim 1
x 2 x 2 1 x 2 1 – x  2
–1
x–2
 fog(x) is discontinuous at x = 2 and it is removable discontinuity at x = 2
fog(3) = not defined

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1
1
lim fog  x   lim x – 2 
x  3 x 3 1
–1
x–2

1
1
lim fog  x   lim– x – 2  –
x  3– x 3 1
–1
x–2
 fog(x) is discontinuous at x = 3 and it is non removable discontinuity of IInd kind.

9. Given that a > b > c > d, then prove that the equation (x – a) (x – c) + 2(x – b) (x – d)= 0 will have real
and distinct roots.
Sol. (x – a) (x – c) + 2(x – b) (x – d) = 0
f(x) = (x – a) (x – c) + 2(x – b) (x – d)
f(a) = (a – a) (a – c) + 2(a – b) (a – d) = +ve
f(b) = (b – a) (b – c) + 0 = –ve
f(c) = 0 + 2 (c – b) (c – d) = –ve c
d b a
f(d) = (d – a) (d – c) + 0 = +ve
hence (x – a) (x – c) + 2(x – b) (x – d) = 0
hence real and distinct roots

1 
10. Let f  x   lim , then find f   and also comment on the continuity at x = 0
n  1  n sin 2 x 4
1
Sol. Let f  x   nlim
 1  n sin 2 x
 1 1
f    lim  lim 0
4 n   n  1
1  n.sin 2 1 n 
4  2
Now
1 1
f  0   lim 2
 1
n  n.sin  0   1 1  0

 1 
lim f  x   lim  lim 0
x 0 x  0 n  1  n sin 2 x 
 
{here sin2x is very small quantity but not zero and very small quantity when multiplied with  becomes
}
 f(x) is not continuous at x = 0


11. f(x) = maximum (sin t, 0  t  x), 0  x  2 discuss continuity of this function at x 
2
Sol. f(x) = maximum (sin t, 0  t  x), 0  x  2

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 
if x   0,  , sin t is increasing function sin t
 2
Hence it t  [0, x], sin t will attain its maximum
value at t = x.
 
 f(x) = sin x if x   0, 
 2 t
0
 
if x   ,2  and t  [0, x] 2
2 

then sin t will attain its maximum value when t 
2
  
 sin x , if x  0, 2 
    
 f(x) = sin = = 1 if x   ,2   f x  
2 2   1 , if x    , 2 
2
  

Now f   1
2
lim– f  x   lim– sin x  1
 
x x
2 2

lim f  x   lim 1  1
 
x x
2 2


as f(/2) = L.H.S = R.H.S.  f(x) is continuous at x 
2
 x if x  Q
12. If f  x    , find the point where f(x) is continuous
 –x if x  Q
Sol. Let x = a be the point at which f(x) is continuous.
 lim f x  lim f x  lim f (x)  lim f (x)
xa  x a  x a  x a 
through rational through irrational through rotional through irrational

a=–a
 a = 0  function is continuous at x = 0.

CONCEPT BUILDING - 1
1. Discuss the continuity of the function f, where f is defined by

2x, if x  0

f (x)  0, if 0  x  1
 4x if x  1

2. Find the relationship between a and b so that the function f defined by

 ax  1, if x  3
f (x)   is continuous at x = 3.
bx  3, if x  3
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3. Show that the function defined by g(x) = x – [x] is discontinuous at all integral points. Here [x] denotes
the greatest integer less than or equal to x.

4. Find all points of discontinuity of f, where

 sin x
 , if x  0
f (x)   x
 x  1, if x  0

5. Find all the points of discontinuity of f defined by f(x) = |x| – |x + 1|.

f x
, x3
6. Suppose that f(x) = x – 3x – 4x + 12 and h  x    x – 3
3 2
, then

 K, x 3
(a) find all zeros of f
(b) find the value of K that makes h continuous at x = 3
(c) using the value of K found in (b), determine whether h is an even function.
x 2 – bx  25
7. If f  x   for x  5 and f is continuous at x = 5, then f(5) has the value equal to -
x 2 – 7x  10
(A) 0 (B) 5 (C) 10 (D) 25

 cos  sin x  – cos x

 , –2  x  0
8. Let f  x    x2 . where [.] represents greatest integer function. Then
 x –  x, 0 x2

(A) f(x) is continuous at x = 2 (B) f(x) is continuous at x = 1
(C) f(x) is discontinuous at x = 0 (D) f(x) is continuous at x = 0

 3
log 4x –3  x – 2x  5  , if  x  1 or x  1
2
9. The function f(x) is defined by f  x    4
 4, if x  1
(A) A is continuous at x = 1
(B) is continuous at x = 1 since f(1+) does not exist though f(1–) exists
(C) is continuous at x = 1 since f(1–) does not exist though f(1+) exists
(D) is discontinuous since neither f(1–) nor f(1+) exists

 
 –4sin x  cos x for x–
2

 
10. If f  x    a sin x  b for –  x  is continuous then:
 2 2

 cos x  2 
for x
 2

(A) a = –1, b = 3 (B) a = 1, b = –3 (C) a = 1, b = 3 (D) a = –1, b = –3

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CONCEPT BUILDING - 2

 1  sin 3 x 
 cos2 x , x–
2

 a,  is continuous at
1. Find the values of a, b & c so that the function f  x    x–
 c  b  sin x  2
 2
, 
    2x  x–
 2


x– .
2

2. If f(x) = {x} & g(x) = [x] (where {.} & [.] denotes the fractional part and the integral part functions
respectively), then discuss the continuity of :
(i) h(x) = f(x).g(x) at x = 1 and 2 (ii) h(x) = f(x) + g(x) at x = 1
(iii) h(x) = f(x) – g(x) at x = 1 (iv) h(x) = g(x) + f  x  at x = 1 and 2

sin x  A sin 2x  Bsin 3x

3. If f  x   (x  0) is continuous at x = 0. Find A & B. Also find f(0).
x5

4. If graph of function y = f(x) is

0 1 2 3

and graph of function

y = g(x) is

1 2

then discuss the continuity of f(x)g(x) at x = 1 and x = 2

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
5. Find interval for which the function given by the following expressions are continuous:
3x  7 1 x
(i) f  x   2
(ii) f  x   2

x  2x  3 x –5 x 6 2

x2 1  x 
(iii) f  x   (iv) f  x   tan  
1  cos2 x  2 

6. Find the number of points of discontinuity of the function f(x) = [5x] + {3x} in [0, 5] where [y] and {y}
denote largest integer less then or equal to y and fractional part of y respectively.
x3 7
7. Show that the function f  x   – sin  x  3 takes the value within the interval [–2, 2].
4 3

8. If g(x) = (|x – 1| + |4x – 11|) [x2 – 2x – 2], then find the number of point of discontinuity of g(x) in
1 5
 ,  {where [.] denotes GIF}
2 2

 
9. If f  x   x sin   x  2  x   , then f(x) is {where [.] denotes GIF}
2 
(A) Discontinuous at x = 2 (B) Discontinuous at x = 1
(C) Constinuous at x = 1 (D) Continuous at x = 3

CONCEPT BUILDING - 3
ex
1. If f  x   and g(x) = sec x, then discuss the continuity of fog(x).
x 3 –1
3 1
2. Find the point discontinuity of y = f(u), where f  u   2 and u  .
2u  5u – 3 x2

1  x, 0  x    x  8, 0  x  1
3. Let f  x    and g  x    2 . Find the point of discontinuity of f(f(x))
3 – x, 1  x  3  x , 1 x  3

and g(f(x))

4. Let f(x) = sgn(x) and g(x) = x(x2 – 5x + 6). The function f(g(x)) is discontinuous at
(A) Infinitely many points (B) exactly one point
(C) exactly three points (D) no point
1 1
5. If f  x   and g  x   , then set of points in domain of fog(x) at which fog(x) is
 x – 1 x – 2 x2
discontinuous.
 1 
(A)  –1,0,1  (B) 
 2

 1 
(C) {0, 1} (D) 0,1 
 2

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
6. If f (x) = sgn (cos 2 x  2 sin x + 3) , where sgn ( ) is the signum function , then f (x)
(A) is continuous over its domain (B) has a missing point discontinuity
(C) has isolated point discontinuity (D) has irremovable discontinuity.

7. The equation 2 tan x + 5x – 2 = 0 has

(A) no solution in [0, /4] (B) at least one real solution in [0, /4]
(C) two real solution in [0, /4] (D) None of these

8. If g : [a, b] onto [a, b] is continous show that there is some c  [a, b] such that g (c) = c.

EXERCISE–I
3x 2  ax  a  3
Q.1 If the function f (x) = is continuous at x = – 2. Find f (–2).
x2  x  2
Q.2 Find all possible values of a and b so that f (x) is continuous for all x  R if

| ax  3 | if x  1

 | 3x  a | if  1  x  0
f (x) =  b sin 2 x
  2b if 0  x  
 x
cos2 x  3 if x  

ln cos x
if x  0
4
 1 x 2 1
Q.3 Let f(x) = 
 e sin 4 x  1
if x  0
ln (1  tan 2x )
Is it possible to define f(0) to make the function continuous at x = 0. If yes what is the value of f(0), if not
then indicate the nature of discontinuity.
Q.4 Draw the graph of the function f(x) = x x  x², 1  x  1 & discuss the continuity or discontinuity
of f in the interval 1  x  1.
1sin x
1 cos 2 x
, x  12
 p, x  12 . Determine the value of p, if possible, so that the function is continuous
Q.5 Let f(x) = 
 2 x 1 1
,x 2
4  2 x 1  2

at x=1/2.
Q.6 Given the function g (x) = 6  2 x and h (x) = 2x2 – 3x + a. Then
(a) evaluate h ( g(2) )
 g ( x ), x 1
(b) If f (x) =  , find 'a' so that f is continuous.
h ( x ), x  1

1  x , 0  x  2
Q.7 Let f(x) =  . Determine the form of g(x) = f [f(x)] & hence find the point of
3  x , 2  x  3
discontinuity of g , if any.

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
Q.8 Let [x] denote the greatest integer function & f(x) be defined in a neighbourhood of 2 by
[ x 1]

 exp {( x  2)n4}
4 16
x
, x 2
f (x) =  4 16 .
 1cos ( x 2)
 A ( x 2)tan ( x 2) , x 2

Find the values of A & f(2) in order that f(x) may be continuous at x = 2.
tan 6x
 5

6 tan 5x
if 0x 2
Q.9 The function f(x) =  b2 if x 2
  a tan x 
1 cosx  b  if  x
2
Determine the values of 'a' & 'b' , if f is continuous at x = /2.
1  x 3 , x  0 x  11/ 3 , x  0
Q.10 Let f(x) =  2 ; g(x) =
 1/ 2 . Discuss the continuity of g (f (x)).
x  1 , x  0  x  1 , x0
 1sin 3 x if x  
 3cos 2 x 2
 
Q.11 Determine a & b so that f is continuous at x = . f(x) =  a if x  2
2 b (1sin x )
 2 if x  2
   2 x 
sin(a 1)xsinx
x
for x0

Q.12 Determine the values of a, b & c for which the function f (x) =  c for x0
 xbx 
2 1/ 2
x1/ 2
for x0
bx3 / 2
is continuous at x = 0.

 1 for 0  x  2
 x 1
Q.13 Discuss the continuity of the function ‘f’ defined as follows: f(x) =  x 31 for 2  x  4 and draw the
 x 1
 x  5 for 4  x  6

graph of the function for x  [0, 6]. Also indicate the nature of discontinuities if any.
Q.14 If f(x) = x + {-x} + [x] , where [x] is the integral part & {x} is the fractional part of x. Discuss the
continuity of f in [ – 2, 2 ].
 ax  b for x 1
Q.15 Find the locus of (a, b) for which the function f (x) =  3x for 1  x  2
 2
is continuous at x = 1 but discontinuous at x = 2.  bx  a for x2

 2  cos x 3 
Q.17 The function f(x) =  3   is not defined at x = 0. How should the function be defined at
x sin x x 4 
x = 0 to make it continuous at x = 0.
a sin x  a tan x
Q.18 f (x) = for x > 0
tan x  sin x
ln (1  x  x 2 )  ln (1  x  x 2 )
= for x < 0, if f is continuous at x = 0, find 'a'
sec x  cos x
 x
now if g (x) = ln  2   · cot (x – a) for x  a, a  0, a > 0. If g is continuous at x = a then show that
 a
–1
g(e ) = – e.
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 1  ax  xax na
 x 2
for x  0
a x
Q.19 Consider the function g(x) =  x x where a > 0.
2 a  x n2  x na  1
 for x  0
 x2
find the value of 'a' & 'g(0)' so that the function g(x) is continuous at x = 0.

  
  sin 1 1{x}2 .sin 11{x}
 2 for x 0
Q.20 Let f(x) =  2 {x}{x} 3
  where {x} is the fractional part of x.
 
 for x 0
 2
Consider another function g(x) ; such that
g(x) = f(x) for x  0
= 2 2 f(x) for x < 0
Discuss the continuity of the functions f(x) & g(x) at x = 0.
 4 x  5 [x] for x  1
Q.21 Discuss the continuity of f in [0,2] where f(x) =  ; where [x] is the greatest
 cos  x for x  1
integer not greater than x. Also draw the graph.
Q.22 Discuss the continuity of the function
 e1/(x 1)  2
 , x 1
1/(x 1)
f(x) =  e 2
 1, x 1
at x = 1.

EXERCISE–II
2 2
x x x2
Q.1 Let yn(x) = + x2  ............ and y (x) = Lim y n ( x )
1  x 2 (1  x 2 )2 (1  x 2 ) n1 n
Discuss the continuity of yn(x) (n  N) and y(x) at x = 0
ax 2  bx  c  e nx
Q.2 A function f : R  R is defined as f (x) = Lim where f is continuous on R. Find the
n 1  c ·e nx
values of a, b and c.
x n f (x)  h(x)  1 sin 2 (·2 x )
Q.3 Let g (x) = Lim Lim
, x  1 and g (1) = x 1 be a continuous function
n 2 x n  3x  3 ln sec( ·2 x )  
at x = 1, find the value of 4 g (1) + 2 f (1) – h (1). Assume that f (x) and h (x) are continuous at x = 1.
n
 x 
Q.4 Given f (x) =  tan  xr  sec  r  1

; r, nN
r 1 2  2
n

Limit
g (x) = n  
 2 2  
 n f (x)  tan xn  f (x)  tan xn . sin tan x
2    
n
1  f (x)  tan xn
2  

= k for x = and the domain of g (x) is (0 , /2).
4
where [ ] denotes the greatest integer function.
Find the value of k, if possible, so that g (x) is continuous at x = /4. Also state the points of discontinuity
of g (x) in (0 , /4) , if any.
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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
f (x)
Q.5 Let f (x) = x3 – x2 – 3x – 1 and h (x) = where h is a rational function such that
g( x )
1
(a) it is continuous every where except when x = – 1, (b) Lim h ( x )   and (c) Lim h( x )  .
x  x  1 2
Find Lim 3h ( x )  f ( x )  2g( x )
x 0

Q.6 Let f be continuous on the interval [0, 1] to R such that f (0) = f (1). Prove that there exists a point c in
 1  1
0, 2  such that f (c) = f  c  2 
 
 1/ x
 (1  ax) for x  0
Q.7 Determine the constants a, b & c for which the function f(x) =  b for x  0 is continuous at
 (x  c)1/3  1
x = 0.  1/2 for x  0
 (x  1)  1
Q.8 Discuss the continuity of the function
(1  sin x) n  log x
f (x)  lim
n  2  (1  sin x)n

1  a x  xa x .na
 2 x
, x0
 x a
Q.9 If g(x)   k , x0

 (2a)  x n 2a  1 , x  0
x

 x2
(where a > 0), then find 'a' and g(0) so that g(x) is continuous at x = 0.

Q.10 Find the value of f(0) so that the function

cos 1 (1  {x}2 )sin 1 (1  {x})
f (x)  ,x  0
{x}  {x}3
({x} denotes fractional part of x) becomes continuous at x = 0

 1  2 x2
Q.11 Let f be a continuous function on R such that f    (sin e x )e x  2 , then find the value of f(0).
 4x  x 1

Q.12 Examine the continuity at x = 0 of the fum function of the infinite series :
x x x
   ....... .
x  1 (x  1)(2x  1) (2x  1)(3x  1)

Q.13 If f(x) is continuous in [a, b] such that f(a) = b and f(b) = a, then prove ehat exists at least one c  (a, b)
such that f(c) = c.
| 4x  5 | [x] for x  1
Q.14 The number of points of discontinuity of f (x) 
[cos x] for x  1
(where [x] is the greatest integer not greater than x) in [0, 2] is

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

2x 2  12x  16 ,  4  x  2

Q.15 If f (x) 2 | x | ,  2  x  1 , then the maximum length of interval for which f(|x|) is continuous
 2
4x  x  2 , 1  x  13
is

EXERCISE–III
(OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS)
Q.1 State whether True or False.
1
(i) f(x) = Limit is continuous at x = 1.
n  1  n sin 2  x
x
(ii) The function defined by f(x)= for x  0 & f(0) = 1 is continuous at x = 0.
| x | 2 x 2
1 /(1 x )
(iii) The function f(x) = 2  2 if x  1 & f(1) = 1 is not continuous at x = 1.
(iv) There exists a continuous function f: [0, 1] onto [0, 10], but there exists no continuous function
g : [0, 1] onto (0, 10).

(v) If f (x) is continuous in [0 , 1] & f(x) = 1 for all rational numbers in [0 , 1] then f 1  
2 equal to 1.

cos x  sin( x 2)
if x  1
2 3 2
(vi) If f (x) =  ( x  1)(3x  2x  1) is continuous, then the value of k is .
 32
k if k  1

Select the correct alternative : (Only one is correct)

Q.2 f is a continuous function on the real line. Given that
x² + (f(x)  2) x  3 . f(x) + 2 3  3 = 0. Then the value of f( 3 )
(A) can not be determined (B) is 2 (1  3 ) (C) is zero (D) is
2  32 
3

[x ]
Q.3 Let g(x) = tan–1|x| – cot–1|x|, f(x) = {x}, h(x) = g(f (x)) where {x} denotes fractional part and
[x  1]
[x] denotes the integral part then which of the following holds good?
(A) h is continuous at x = 0 (B) h is discontinuous at x = 0
(C) h(0–) = /2 (D) h(0+) = – /2

x n  sin x n
Q.4 Consider f (x) = Limit n for x > 0, x  1,
n   x  sin x n
f (1) = 0
then
(A) f is continuous at x = 1
(B) f has an infinite or oscillatory discontinuity at x = 1.
(C) f has a finite discontinuity at x = 1
(D) f has a removable type of discontinuity at x = 1.

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
2
| x |e x x  {x}
Q.5 Given f(x) = for x  0
 e1 x 2  1 sgn (sin x )
 
= 0 for x = 0
where {x} is the fractional part function; [x] is the step up function and sgn(x) is the signum function of x
then, f(x)
(A) is continuous at x = 0
(B) is discontinuous at x = 0
(C) has a removable discontinuity at x = 0
(D) has an irremovable discontinuity at x = 0
x[ x ]2 log (1 x ) 2 for  1  x  0

Q.6 Consider f(x) =  ln  e x 2  2 x
   for0  x  1
tan x
where [ * ] & {*} are the greatest integer function & fractional part function respectively, then
(A) f(0) = ln2  f is continuous at x = 0
(B) f(0) = 2  f is continuous at x = 0
(C) f(0) = e2  f is continuous at x = 0
(D) f has an irremovable discontinuity at x = 0

1 x  1 x
Q.7 Consider f (x) = , x  0;
{x}

g (x) = cos 2x, – < x < 0,
4
1
f (g(x)) for x  0
2
h(x) – 1 for x  0
f (x) forx  0
then, which of the following holds good.
where {x} denotes fractional part function.
(A) 'h' is continuous at x = 0
(B) 'h' is discontinuous at x = 0
(C) f(g(x)) is an even function
(D) f(x) is an even function
Q.8 The function f(x) = [x]. cos 2 x  1 , where [•] denotes the greatest integer function, is discontinuous at
2
(A) all x (B) all integer points
(C) no x (D) x which is not an integer

sin x  x cos x
Q.9 Consider the function defined on [0, 1]  R, f (x) = if x  0 and f (0) = 0, then the
x2
function f (x)
(A) has a removable discontinuity at x = 0
(B) has a non removable finite discontinuity at x = 0
(C) has a non removable infinite discontinuity at x = 0
(D) is continuous at x = 0

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

 a  x   x 
sin   tan   for x  a
  2   2a 
Q.10 f (x) = 
 cos   x  
   2a  
for x  a
ax
where [x] is the greatest integer function of x, and a > 0, then
(A) f (a–) < 0 (B) f has a removable discontinuity at x = a
(C) f has an irremovable discontinuity at x=a (D) f (a+) < 0
sin x  x 2n sin( x  1)
Q.11 Consider the function f (x) = Lim , where n  N
n  1  x 2n 1  x 2n
Statement-1: f (x) is discontinuous at x = 1.
because
Statement-2: f (1) = 0.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.

Q.12 Consider the functions

f (x) = sgn (x – 1) and g (x) = cot–1[x – 1]
where [ ] denotes the greatest integer function.
Statement-1 : The function F (x) = f (x) · g (x) is discontinuous at x = 1.
because
Statement-2 : If f (x) is discontinuous at x = a and g (x) is also discontinuous at x = a then the product
function f (x) · g (x) is discontinuous at x = a.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
Select the correct alternative : (More than one are correct)

Q.13 A function f is defined on an interval [a, b]. Which of the following statement(s) is/are INCORRECT?
(A) If f (a) and f (b), have opposite sign, then there must be a point c  (a, b) such that f (c) = 0.
(B) If f is continuous on [a, b], f (a) < 0 and f (b) > 0, then there must be a point c  (a, b) such that
f (c) = 0
(C) If f is continuous on [a, b] and there is a point c in (a, b) such that f (c) = 0, then f (a) and f (b) have
opposite sign.
(D) If f has no zeroes on [a, b], then f (a) and f (b) have the same sign.

Q.14 Which of the following functions f has/have a removable discontinuity at the indicated point?
x 2  2x  8 x 7
(A) f (x) = at x = – 2 (B) f (x) = at x = 7
x2 | x 7 |

x 3  64 3 x
(C) f (x) = at x = – 4 (D) f (x) = at x = 9
x4 9x

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
x
Q.15 Indicate all correct alternatives if, f (x) =  1 , then on the interval [0, ]
2
1
(A) tan ( f (x) ) & are both continuous
f ( x)
1
(B) tan ( f (x) ) & are both discontinuous
f (x)
(C) tan ( f (x) ) & f 1 (x) are both continuous
1
(D) tan ( f (x) ) is continuous but is not
f (x)
Q.16 The function f(x) = [x]2  [x2] (where [y] is the greatest integer less than or equal to y), is discontinuous
at :
(A) all integers (B) all integers except 0 & 1
(C) all integers except 0 (D) all integers except 1

Q.17 Consider the function

  x if x0

f(x) =  0 if 0x4
 x  4 if x4

choose the answer which best describes the countinuity of this function
(A) The function is unbounded and therefore cannot be continuous
(B) The function is right continuous at x = 0
(C) The function has a removable discontinuity at 0 and 4, but is continuous on the rest of the real line
(D) The function is continuous on the entire real line

2 cos x  sin 2 x e  cos x  1

Q.18 f (x) = ; g (x) =
(  2 x ) 2 8 x  4
h (x) = f (x) for x < /2
= g (x) for x > /2
then which of the following holds ?
(A) h is continuous at x = /2 (B) h has an irremovable discontinuity at x = /2
     
(C) h has a removable discontinuity at x = /2 (D) f   = g  
2 
2   

x  e x  cos 2x
Q.19 If f(x) = , x  0 is continuous at x = 0, then
x2
5
(A) f (0) = (B) [f(0)] = – 2 (C) {f(0)} = –0.5 (D) [f(0)] . {f(0)} = –1.5
2
where [x] and {x} denotes greatest integer and fractional part function
x x
tan 2x  sin  tan
Q.20 If the function defined by f(x) = 2 2 is continuous at x = 2 then f(2)
x 2  4x  12
(A) equals /4 (B) equals 3/8 (C) equal 2 (D) is non existent

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

2 x  23  x  6
 if x  2
 2  x  21 x
Q.21 Let f (x) =  then

 x2  4
 if x  2
x  3x  2
(A) f (2) = 8  f is continuous at x = 2 (B) f (2) = 16  f is continuous at x = 2
(C) f (2–)  f (2+)  f is discontinuous (D) f has a removable discontinuity at x = 2
  1 1
  
 [x] x 
Q.22 On the interval I = [–2, 2], the function f(x) = (x  1)e (x  0)
 0 (x  0)

then which one of the following does not hold good ?
(A) is continuous for all values of x  I
(B) is continuous for x  I – (0)
(C) assumes all intermediate values from f(–2) & f(2)
(D) has a maximum value equal to 3/e

 x
 [x] if 1 x  2

Q.23 Consider the function f(x) =  1 if x2

 6 x if 2 x3


where [x] denotes step up function then at x = 2 function

(A) has missing point removable discontinuity
(B) has isolated point removable discontinuity
(C) has non removable discontinuity five type
(D) is continuous
Q.24 Which one of the followign graphs of the function are continuous on the closed interval [–1, 1]


1 if 1  x  0
 1 if  1  x  0
1 1
(A) f(x) =  0 if 0 x (B) f(x) =  if 0  x  1
2 x
 1
 1 if  x 1
 2


 x if 1  x  0
 x 2 if  1  x  0
 0 if 1
(C) f(x) = 0x (D) f(x) =  2
 2  x if 0  x  1
 1
 x if  x 1
 2

Q.25 Let [x] denote the integral part of x  R . g(x) = x  [x] . Let f(x) be any continuous function with
f(0) = f(1) then the function h(x) = f(g(x))
(A) has finitely many discontinuities (B) is discontinuous at some x = c
(C) is continuous on R (D) is a constant function.

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

 a sin 2n x for x  0 and n  

Q.26 Let f(x) =  2m then
 b(cos x)  1 for x  0 and m  
(A) f(0–)  f(0+) (B) f(0+)  f(0) (C) f(0–)  f(0) (D) f is continuous at x = 0

Q.27 The function of points where f(x) = [sin x + cos x] (where [] denotes the greatest integer function),
x (0, 2) is not continuous is :
(A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 6

loge (1  3f (x))
Q.28 y = f(x) is a continuous function such that its graph passes through (a, 0). Then lim is
x a 2f (x)
3 2
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) (D)
2 3
2
 n  e x  2 x 
 
Q.29 If f (x) = is continuous at x = 0 , then f (0) must be equal to :
tan x
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) e2 (D) 2

Q.30 If f(x) is discontinuous function at only x = 1 such that f 2(x) = 4  x  R, then number of such functions
are
(A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 10

 x if x is rational
Q.31 Let f(x) =  . Then fof(x) is continuous
2  x if x is irrational
(A) every where (B) no where (C) at all irrational x (D) at all rational x

n(1  x 3 tan 2 x)
Q.32 Let f(x) = 3 3 , x  0 is continuous at x = 0, then f(0) must be equal to
(e x  esin x
)
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 6

1
log x e
  2
Q.33 If f(x) =  tan   ln x   is to be made continuous at x = 1, then [f(1)] should be equal to
 4 
(where [.] denote greatest integer function)
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 4

Q.34 Let f (x) = x – x2 and g (x) = {x}  x  R. Where { · } denotes fractional part function.
Statement-1: f g (x )  will be continuous  x  R.
because
Statement-2: f (0) = f (1) and g (x) is periodic with period 1.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true; statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true; statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false. (D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

1
Q.35 Statement-1 : f(x) = is discontinuous for integral values of x, where {} denotes the fractional part
{x}
function.
because
Statement-2 : For integral values of x, f(x) is not defined.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true; statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true; statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false. (D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
Q.36 f is a continuous function in [a,b] ; g is a continuous function in [b, c]
A function h(x) is defined as
h(x) = f(x) for x  [a, b]
= g(x) for x  [b, c]
if f(b) = g(b), then
(A) h(x) has a removable discontinuity at x = b
(B) h(x) may or may not be continuous in [a, b]
(C) h(b–) = g(b+) and h(b+) = f(b–)
(D) h(b+) = g(b–) and h(b–) = f(b+)

  1  2x 3  3  
3   cot    for x  0
   x 2  
Q.37 Given f(x) =  where {} & [] denotes the fractional part and the
2 1/x
 {x }cos(e ) for x  0
integral part functions respectively, then which of the following statement does not hold good.
(A) f(0–) = 0 (B) f(0+) = 3
(C) f(0) = 0  continuity of f at x = 0 (D) irremovable discontinuity of f at x = 0

Q.38 The function, f (x) = [x] [x] where [ x ] denotes greatest integer function
(A) is continuous for all positive integers
(B) is discontinuous for all non positive integers
(C) has finite number of elements in its range
(D) is such that its graph does not lie above the x  axis.
 2n
 cos x if x0
n n
Q.39 The function defined as f(x) = lim  1  x if 0  x  1 . Which of the following does not hold
n 
 1
 if x 1
 1  xn
good ?
(A) continuous at x = 0 but discontinuous at x = 1
(B) continuous at x = 1 but discontinuous at x = 0
(C) continuous both at x = 1 and x = 0
(D) discontinuous both at x = 1 and x = 0
x p g(x)  h(x)  7
Q.40 If f(x) = lim ; x  1 and f(1) = 7. f(x) , g(x) and h(x) are all continuous function at
p 7x p  3x  1
x = 1. Then which of the following statement(s) is/are correct.
(A) g(1) + h(1) = 70 (B) g(1) – h(1) = 28
(C) g(1) + h(1) = 60 (D) g(1) – h(1) = – 28

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
[MATCH THE COLUMN]

Q.41 Column-I Column-II

 a  3cos x
 , x0
 x2
(A) If f(x) =  (P) |a + b| = 0
b tan    , x  0
  [x  3] 
 
is continuous at x = 0, then (where [] denotes the (Q) |a – b| = 2
greatest integer function).

 2sin x ,   x   / 2

a sin x  b ,  / 2  x   / 2
(B) If f(x) =  (R) |a + 2b| = 1
 cos x , /2 x  

is continuous in [–, ], then

 (cot 3x)/(cot 2x)
 3 / 2 , 0 x  /2

(C) If f(x) =  b3 , x  /2 (S) |a + 2b| = 4
  a|tan x| 
 
 b  ,
 
(1 | cos x |) 2
x


is continuous at x = , then (T) [a – 2b] = –2
2
where [] denotes the greatest integer function
EXERCISE–IV
Q.1 f is defined in [–5, 5] as
f(x) = x if x is rational
= – x if x is irrational. Then
(A) f(x) is continuous at every x, except x = 0
(B) f(x) is discontinuous at every x, except x = 0
(C) f(x) is continuous everywhere
(D) f(x) is discontinuous everywhere

1  tan x      
Q.2 Let f (x)  , x  , x   0,  . If f(x) is continuous in  0, 2  , then f  4  is
4x   4  2    
1 1
(A) –1 (B) (C)  (D) 1 [AIEEE 2004]
2 2

Q.3 The function f : R / {0}  R given by [AIEEE 2007]

1 2
f (x) 
 2x
x e 1
can be made continuous at x = 0 by defining f(0) as
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) –1

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
Q.4 The values of p and q for which the funciton [AIEEE 2011]

 sin(p  1)x  sin x

 ,x  0
 x

f (x)  q , x  0 is continuous for all x in R, are
 2
 x  x  x ,x  0
 x 3/2

5 1 3 1 1 3 1 3
(A) p  , q  (B) p   , q  (C) p  , q  (D) p  , q  
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
 2x  1 
Q.5 If f : R  R is a function defined by f(x) = [x] cos    , where [x] denoted the greatest integer
 2 
function, then f is [AIEEE 2012]
(A) continuous for every real x.
(B) discontinuous only at x = 0
(C) discontinuous only at non-zero integral values of x
(D) continuous only at x = 0
1 1
Q.6 Let f be a composite function of x defined by f (u)  , u(x) 
2 . Then the number of
u u2 x 1
points x where f is discontinuous is : [JEE-Main 2013]
(A) 4 (B) 3 (C) 2 (D) 1
 2  cos x  1
 ,x  
Q.7 If the function f (x)   (  2x)2 is continuous at x = , then k equals : [JEE-Main 2014]
k ,x  

1 1
(A) 0 (B) (C) 2 (D)
2 4

  ex  12
 , x0
 x  x
Q.8 Let k be a non-zero real number. If f(x) =  sin   log  1   is a continuous function, then
 k  4
 12 ,x  0
the value of k is : [JEE-Main 2015]
(A) 4 (B) 1 (C) 3 (D) 2
Q.9 The value of k for which the function [JEE-Main 2017]
tan 4x

  4  tan 5x 
 5  ,0  x 
f (x)   2 is continuous at x   , is
 2  2
k  , x
 5 2

17 2 3 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) 
20 5 5 5

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

1

(x  1) 2 x , x  1, x  2
Q.10 Let f (x)   [JEE-Main 2018]
 k, , x  2
The value of k for which f is continuous at x = 2 is
(A) e–2 (B) e (C) e–1 (D) 1

 sin(p  1)x  sin x

 , x0
 x
Q.11 If f (x)   q , x0

 x  x2  x
, x0
 x 3/2
is continuous at x = 0, then the ordered pair (p, q) is equal to : [JEE Main 2019]
5 1  3 1  1 3  3 1
(A)  ,  (B)   ,   (C)   ,  (D)   , 
 2 2  2 2  2 2  2 2

a |   x | 1, x  5
Q.12 If the function f (x)   is continuous at x = 5, then the value of a – b is :
b | x   | 3, x  5
[JEE Main 2019]
2 2 2 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 5 5 5

 2 cos x  1 
   , x
Q.13 If the function f defined on  ,  by f (x)   cot x  1 4 is continuous then k is equal to
 6 3  
 k, x
 4

[JEE Main 2019]

1 1
(A) (B) 1 (C) (D) 2
2 2

| x | [x] ,  1  x  1

Q.14 Let f : [–1, 3]  R be defined as f (x)   x  | x | , 1  x  2 [JEE Main 2019]
 x  [x] , 2  x  3,

where [t] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to t. Then, f is discontinuous at :
(A) four or more points (B) only one point
(C) only two points (D) only three points

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

 5, if x 1

a  bx, if 1  x  3
Q.15 Let f : R  R be a function defined as f  x    . Then f is :
 b  5x, if 3  x  5

 30, if x 5
[JEE Main 2019]
(A) continuous if a = 5 and b = 5 (B) continuous if a = –5 and b = 10
(C) continuous if a = 0 and b = 5 (D) not continuous for any values of a and b

 1 1
Q.16 If the function ƒ defined on   ,  by
 3 3

1  1  3x 
 log e   , when x  0
ƒ(x) =  x  1  2x 
k , when x  0

is continuous, then k is equal to _________. [JEE Main 2020]

 sin(a  2)x  sin x

 ; x0
 x
Q.17 If f (x)   b ; x0
 2 1/3 1/3
 (x  3x )  x ; x0
 x 4/3
is continuous at x = 0, then a + 2b is equal to : [JEE Main 2020]
(A) –2 (B) 1 (C) 0 (D) –1

Q.18 Let [t] denote the greatest integer  t and

4
lim x   = A. Then the function,
x 0  x 

ƒ(x) = [x2] sin (x) is discontinuous, when x is equal to : [JEE Main 2020]
(A) A 1 (B) A (C) A5 (D) A  21

ae x  be  x , 1  x  1
 2
Q.19 If a function f(x) defined by f  x   cx , 1  x  3 be continuous for some a, b,c  R
ax 2  2cx ,3  x  4

and f’(0) + f’(2) = e, then the value of a is : [JEE Main 2020]
1 e e e
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) 2 (D) 2
e  3e  13 e  3e  13 e  3e  13 e  3e  13

x
Q.20 Let f  x   x.   , for-10 < x < 10, where [t] denotes the greatest integer function. Then the number of
2
points of discontinuity of f is equal to........... [JEE Main 2020]

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

EXERCISE–V
Q.1 For every integer n, let an and bn be real numbers. Let function f : IR  IR be given by
 a n  sin x, for x  [2n, 2n  1]
f(x) =  for all integers n
b n  cos x, for x  (2n  1, 2n)
If f is continuous, then which of the following hold(s) for all n ? [JEE Adv. 2012]
(A) an–1 – bn–1 = 0 (B) an – bn = 1
(C) an – bn+1 = 1 (D) an–1 – bn = – 1

Q.2 For every pair of continuous functions f, g : [0, 1]  such that max {f(x) : x  [0, 1]} = max{g(x) : x  [0, 1]},
the correct statement(s) is(are) ? [JEE Adv. 2014]
2 2
(A) (f(c)) + 3f(c) = (g(c)) + 3g(c) for some c  [0, 1]
(B) (f(c))2 + f(c) = (g(c))2 + 3g(c) for some c  [0, 1]
(C) (f(c))2 + 3f(c) = (g(c))2 + g(c) for some c  [0, 1]
(D) (f(c))2 = (g(c))2 for some c  [0, 1]

Q.3 Let [x] be the greatest integer less than or equals to x. Then, at which of the following point(s) the
function f(x) = x cos((x + [x])) is discontinuous ? [JEE Adv. 2017]
(A) x = –1 (B) x = 1 (C) x = 0 (D) x = 2

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

ANSWER KEY
CONCEPT BUILDING - 1
1. Continuous everywhere except at x = 1
2. 3a – 3b = 2
4. No point of discontinuity
5. No point of discontinuity
6. (a) –2, 2, 3 (b) k = 5 (c) even
7. (A) 8. (D) 9. (D) 10. (A)

CONCEPT BUILDING - 2
3
1. a , b  1, c  12
2
2. (i) continuous at x = 1
(ii) continuous
(iii) discontinuous
(iv) continuous at x = 1 & 2
3. A = – 4, B = 5, f(0) = 1
4. Continuous at x = 1, but discontinuous at x = 2
5. (i) x  R (ii) x  R – {–3, –2, 2, 3}
(i) x  R (ii) x  R – {2n + 1, n  I}
6. 30 8. 2 9. (B)

CONCEPT BUILDING - 3

1. Discontinuous at 2m, (2n  1) , m, n  I
2
7
2.  , 2, 0
3
3. f(f(x)) is discontinuous at x = 1 & 2 ; g(f(x)) is continuous  x  R
4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (C) 7. (B)

EXERCISE–I
Q.1 –1 Q.2 a = 0, b = 1
Q.3 f(0+) = –2 ; f(0–) = 2 hence f(0) not possible to define
Q.4 f is cont. in 1  x  1 Q.5 P not possible.
Q.6 (a) 4 – 3 2  a , (b) a = 3
Q.7 g(x) = 2 + x for 0  x  1, 2  x for 1 < x  2, 4  x for 2 < x  3 , g is discontinuous at x = 1 & x = 2
Q.8 A = 1 ; f(2) = 1/2 Q.9 a = 0 ; b = 1
Q.10 gof is dis-cont. at x = 0, 1 & – 1 Q.11 a = 1/2, b = 4
Q.12 a =  3/2, b  0, c = 1/2 Q.13 discontinuous at x = 1, 4 & 5
Q.14 discontinuous at all integral values in [ 2 , 2]
Q.15 locus (a, b)  x, y is y = x – 3 excluding the points where y = 3 intersects it.
2
1 1   n 2
Q.17 Q.19 a = , g(0) =
60 2 8

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity
 
Q.20 f(0+) = ; f(0) =  f is discont. at x = 0 ; g(0+) = g(0) = g(0) = /2  g is cont. at x = 0
2 4 2
Q.21 the function f is continuous everywhere in [0 , 2] except for x = 0 , 1 , 1 & 2.
2
Q.22 Discontinuous at x = 1; f(1+) = 1 and f(1–) = –1

EXERCISE–II
Q.1 yn(x) is continuous at x = 0 for all n and y(x) is dicontinuous at x = 0
Q.2 c = 1, a, b  R Q.3 5
 n (tan x) if 0  x  
Q.4 k = 0 ; g (x) =  4 . Hence g (x) is continuous everywhere.
 x 
 0 if
4 2

39 2 2
Q.5 g (x) = 4 (x + 1) and limit = – Q.7 a = ln ; b= ; c=1
4 3 3
1 1
Q.8 f(x) is discontinuous at integral multiples of  Q.9 , (n2)2
2 8
Q.10 no value of f(0) Q.11 1
Q.12 Discontinuous Q.14 4 Q.15 26

EXERCISE–III
Q.1 (i) false ; (ii) false ; (iii) true ; (iv) true; (v) true; (vi) True
Q.2 B Q.3 A Q.4 C Q.5 A Q.6 D Q.7 A
Q.8 C Q.9 D; Q.10 B Q.11 B Q.12 C Q.13 A,C,D
Q.14 A, C, D Q.15 C, D Q.16 D Q.17 D Q.18 B Q.19 D
Q.20 A Q.21 C Q.22 A Q.23 B Q.24 D Q.25 C Q.26 A
Q.27 C Q.28 C Q.29 D Q.30 A Q.31 B Q.32 A Q.33 A
Q.34 B Q.35 C Q.36 A,D Q.37 A,C Q.38 B,D Q.39 B,C,D
Q.40 A,B,C,D Q.41 A,B,C

EXERCISE–IV
Q.1 B Q.2 C Q.3 B Q.4 B Q.5 A Q.6 B Q.7 D
Q.8 C Q.9 C Q.10 C Q.11 D Q.12 A Q.13 A Q.14 D
Q.15 D Q.16 5 Q.17 C Q.18 A Q.19 D Q.20 8

EXERCISE–V
Q.1 BD Q.2 AD Q.3 ABD

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Maths IIT-JEE ‘Best Approach’ (MC SIR) Continuity

REVISION PLANNER FOR MAINS

EXERCISE–I
7. 14.
EXERCISE–II
7.
EXERCISE–III
2. 31.
EXERCISE–IV
6. 14.
REVISION PLANNER FOR ADVANCED
EXERCISE–I
12.
EXERCISE–II
6. 11. 12.
EXERCISE–III
4. 25. 30.
EXERCISE–IV
18.
EXERCISE–V
3.

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