CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION

Continuity of a Function at a Number

The function f(x) is continuous at a number c if and only if

the following three conditions hold:
1. 𝑓 𝑐 exists,

2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists,

𝑥→𝑐

a. lim− 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) and

𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐)

𝑥→𝑐
Example 1:
𝒙 + 𝟐, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 <𝟐
Let 𝒇 𝒙 = ൞ 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐, 𝒊𝒇 𝟐≤𝒙<𝟑
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙≥𝟑
Apply the three conditions for continuity

1. 𝑓 2 = 2,

𝑥2 − 2 = (2)2 − 2 = 2

2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→2

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→2− 𝑥→2+

𝑥+2 = 2+2 = 4 = 2 𝑥 2 − 2 = (2)2 − 2 = 2

3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝒇(𝟐)

𝑥→2

* Therefore the function is continuous and exists at 2.

Example 1:
𝒙 + 𝟐, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 <𝟐
Let 𝒇 𝒙 = ൞ 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐, 𝒊𝒇 𝟐≤𝒙<𝟑
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟓, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙≥𝟑
Step 1. Apply the three conditions for continuity

1. 𝑓 3 = 11,

2𝑥 + 5 = 2 3 +5 = 6+5 = 11

2. lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→3

a. lim 𝑓(𝑥) b. lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→3− 𝑥→3+

𝑥 2 − 2 = (3)2 − 2 = 7 2𝑥 + 5 = 2 3 + 5 = 6 + 5 = 11

3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐃𝐍𝐄

𝑥→3

* Therefore the function is discontinuous at x = 3.

Types of Discontinuity at x = c

1. Removable Discontinuity

→ the function f(x) has a removable discontinuity at x = c if lim 𝑓(𝑥) = L, L

𝑥→𝐶
exists, but 𝑓 𝑐 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 or 𝑓 𝑐 ≠ 𝐿.

Example:

𝑥 2 − 4, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥≠1
Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥=1

Show that the function has a removable discontinuity at x = 1.

1. 𝑓 1 =𝟐

2. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = -3 → 𝑥 2 − 4 = (1)2 − 4 = −3

𝑥→1

3. lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓 1
𝑥→1
2. Essential Discontinuity

→ the function f(x) has an essential discontinuity at x = c if lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝐶
does not exist. This discontinuity is nonremovable. We have two cases:

i. If lim− 𝑓(𝑥) exists and lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) exists but lim− 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓(𝑥), then
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐

lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist. This essential discontinuity is also called
𝑥→𝑐
jumped discontinuity.

ii. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞ 𝑜𝑟 lim 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞ exists, then lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
This essential discontinuity is also called infinite discontinuity.
Exercises:

(𝑥 − 2)2 +3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥≠2

1. Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
−2 , 𝑖𝑓 𝑥=2

Show that the function has a removable discontinuity at x = 2.

3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤2
2. Show that 𝑓 𝑥 = ൞−1, 𝑖𝑓 0<𝑥≤4 has jump
6, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥>4
discontinuities at 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 4.

𝑥 −2 5
3. Let 𝑓 𝑥 = . Show that f(x) has an infinite discontinuity at 𝑥 = −
2𝑥 −5 2