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Basic Calculus
Quarter 3: Week 3 - Module 3
Continuity of a Function
Basic Calculus
Grade 11 Quarter 3: Week 2 - Module 2: Continuity of a Function
First Edition, 2021
Copyright © 2021
La Union Schools Division
Region I
All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.
Management Team:
This module will help you understand about the continuity of a function. This
is also useful especially to the STEM learners, the use of continuity of a function as
an introductory concept in Basic Calculus.
This learning material will also provide you with information and activities
that will help you understand about how to determine if a function is continuous if
there are no breaks in the graph of a function; that is, if we can trace the graph
continuously without lifting the pen.
After going through this learning material, you are expected to:
1. Illustrate continuity of a function at a number. STEM_BC11LCIIIc-1
2. Determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not.
STEM_BC11LCIIIc-2
3. Illustrate continuity of a function on an interval. STEM_BC11LCIIIc-3
4. Solves problems involving continuity of a function. STEM_BC11LCIIId-3
Before going on, check how much you know about this topic. Answer the
Pre-Test below in a separate sheet of paper.
Pre-Test:
Directions: Read carefully each item. Use separate sheet for your answers. Write
only the letter of the correct answer for each test item.
B. D.
For numbers 6 – 9: Study the graphs below, then answer the questions on
numbers 6 – 9.
A. C.
B. D.
11. If f(x) is continuous everywhere, then square root [f(x)] is continuous everywhere
A. false B. maybe C. true D. undefined
𝑥 3 −1
12. Define (𝑥) = . Is f continuous in the set of real numbers?
𝑥 2 −1
A. No! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
D. Yes! It is discontinuous at all real numbers.
B. D.
Determine if f is continuous at x = 0.
A. No! It is discontinuous at x = 0.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 2
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 0.
D. Yes! It is continuous at x = 2.
15. Is f continuous over the following intervals at (-∞, 0)?
A. f is continuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
B. f is discontinuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
C. f is undefined on the interval
D. f is undetermined on the interval
Jumpstart
Example:
Note:
𝑓(𝑐) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥) is read as “ function of c is equal to the limit of function of x as x
𝑥 →𝑐
approaches c from the left”
𝑓(𝑐) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) is read as “ function of c is equal to the limit of function of x as x
𝑥 →𝑐
approaches c from the right”
Continuity of Polynomial, Absolute Value, Rational and Square Root
Functions
a. Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere.
b. The absolute value function f(x) = |x| is continuous everywhere.
c. Rational functions are continuous on their respective domains.
d. The square root function f(x) = √𝑥 is continuous on [ 0, ∞ ).
Solution:
Remember that when we say “trace from the right side of x = c”, we are
tracing not from x = c on the x-axis, but from the point (c, f(c)) along the graph.
a. We can trace the graph from the right side of x = −1 to the left side of x = 1
without lifting the pen we are using. Hence, we can say that the function f is
continuous on the interval (−1, 1).
b. If we trace the graph from any negatively large number up to the left side of 0, we
will not lift our pen and so, f is continuous on (−∞, 0).
c. For the interval (0, +∞), we trace the graph from the right side of 0 to any large
number, and find that we will not lift our pen. Thus, the function f is
continuous on (0, +∞).
Example 2: Consider the graph of the function h below.
Determine using the given graph if the function f is continuous on the following
intervals:
a. (−1, 1) b. [0.5, 2]
Solution:
Because we are already given the graph of h, we characterize the continuity
of h by the possibility of tracing the graph without lifting the pen.
a. If we trace the graph of the function h from the right side of x = −1 to the left side
of x = 1, we will be interrupted by a hole when we reach x = 0. We are forced to
lift our pen just before we reach x = 0 to indicate that h is not defined at x = 0
and continue tracing again starting from the right of x = 0. Therefore, we are not
able to trace the graph of h on (−1, 1) without lifting our pen. Thus, the function
h is not continuous on (−1, 1).
b. For the interval [0.5, 2], if we trace the graph from x = 0.5 to x = 2, we do not
have to lift the pen at all. Thus, the function h is continuous on [0.5, 2].
3.
4.
5.
Discover
Continuity at a Number
Note: If any one or more of the above three conditions fail, the function f(x) is
said to be continuous at a number a.
𝑥 2 −9
Example 2: Determine whether the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous at:
𝑥−3
1. x = 0 2. x = 2 3. x = 3
Solution:
1. At x = 0
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3
02 −9
𝑓(0) =
0−3
=3
𝑥 2 −9 lim 𝑥 2 −9
b. lim = 𝑥 →0
𝑥 →0 𝑥−3 lim 𝑥−3
𝑥 →0
lim 𝑥 2 − lim 9
= 𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
lim 𝑥− lim 3
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
=3
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(0)
𝑥 →0
The three conditions are satisfied. Hence, f(x) is continuous at x = 0
2. At x = 2
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−3
22 −9
𝑓 (2) =
2−3
4−9
=
−1
=5
𝑥 2 −9 lim 𝑥 2 −9
b. lim 𝑥−3 = 𝑥→2
𝑥 →2 lim 𝑥−3
𝑥→2
lim 𝑥 2 − lim 9
= 𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
lim 𝑥− lim 3
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
22 −9
=
2−3
4−9
=
−1
=5
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2)
𝑥 →2
3. At x = 3
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3
32 −9
𝑓(3) =
3−3
0
=
0
The limit is indeterminate.
𝑥 2 −9 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−3)
b. lim = lim
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3 𝑥 →3 𝑥−3
= lim (𝑥 + 3)
𝑥 →3
= lim 𝑥 + lim 3
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3+3
=6
lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(3) ; Hence f (x) is discontinuous at x = 3
𝑥 →3
Solution:
The graph is shown below.
f (x) = -2x + 4
x 3 4
f (x) -2 -4
f (x) = x - 1
x 3 2
f (x) 2 1
f (x) = x – 1, x < 3
f (x) = -2x + 4, x ≥ 3
33< 3
There is a break in the graph at x = 3. Find out if the three conditions are
satisfied.
At x = 3
a. f (x) = -2x + 4
f (3) = -2 (3) + 4
= -6 + 4
= -2
b. lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥) = lim+(−2𝑥 + 4)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= -2 (3) + 4
=-2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− 𝑥 − 1
𝑥 →3− 𝑥 →3
= lim− 𝑥 − lim− 1
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3–1
=2
c. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
Illustration:
a b
(a,b)
Illustration:
a b
[a,b]
a. 𝑓 (3) = √9 − 𝑥 2
= √9 − (3)2
=0
b. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) = √9 − 𝑥 2
𝑥 →3
= √9 − (3)2
=0
c. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (3)
𝑥 →3
It is continuous from the left of x = 3.
d. 𝑓 (−3) = √9 − 𝑥 2
= √9 − (−3)2
=0
e. lim + 𝑓 (𝑥) = √9 − (𝑥)2
𝑥 → −3
= √9 − (−3)2
=0
f. lim + 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (−3)
𝑥 → −3
Types of Discontinuity
22 −4
𝑓 (2) =
2−2
0
= indeterminate
0
0
In the language of Calculus, is indeterminate
0
𝑥 2 −4 (𝑥+2)(𝑥−2)
b. lim = lim
𝑥 →2 𝑥−2 𝑥 →2 (𝑥−2)
= lim 𝑥 + 2
𝑥 →2
= lim 𝑥 + lim 2
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
=2+2
=4
c. lim 𝑓 (𝑥) ≠ 𝑓 ( 2)
𝑥 →2
x 0 1 2
f (x) 2 3 5
2. Jump Discontinuity – This discontinuity occurs when the graph of the function
stops at one point and seems to jump at another point. In a jump discontinuity,
the left hand and the right hand limits exist but are not equal.
Example 7:
3x – 2 ; x<3
𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
x–1 ; x≥3
Solution:
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1
𝑓 (3) = 3 − 1
=2
b. lim−(3𝑥 − 2) = lim− 3𝑥 − lim− 2
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= 3 (3) – 2
=9–2
=7
c. lim+(𝑥 − 1) = lim+ 𝑥 − lim+ 1
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3–1
=2
d. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
This is a non – removable discontinuity. It is not possible to redefine it. The graph
is shown below.
𝑓 (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2
x -1 0 1
f (x) -5 -2 1
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1
x 3 4 5
f (x) 2 3 4
3. Infinite Discontinuity – In this type of discontinuity, at least one of the two limits
is infinite.
3
Example 8: Consider the function 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−2
Solution:
3
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−2
3
𝑓 (2) =
2−2
3
= undefined
0
The first condition is not satisfied. Therefore, the function is discontinuous
at x = 2.
b. Find the limits
Table 1
x -4 -2 -1 0 1 1.5 1.7 1.9 1.99 1.999
f (x) -0.5 -0.75 -1 -1.5 -3 -6 -10 -30 -300 -3000
Table 2
x 5 4 3 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.01 2.001
f (x) 1 1.5 3 6 7.5 10 15 30 300 3000
3
lim = +∞
𝑥 →2+ 𝑥−2
3
lim = −∞
𝑥 →2− 𝑥−2
Explore
Activity
Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.
1: Am I True or False?
Directions: Write True if the statement is correct. Write False if the statement is
incorrect.
𝑥 2 −4𝑥+4
if x ≠ 2
𝑥−2
2. g (x) =
0 if x = 2
2x – 1 if x < 1
3. h (x) =
1 – 2x2 if x ≥ 1
2
4. 𝑝 (𝑥) = cos
𝑥
𝑥+1
5. 𝑟(𝑥) =
𝑥−1
𝑥 2 −36
6. 𝑓 (𝑥) = at x = -6
𝑥+6
2
7. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥2
𝑥 2 +6𝑥+8
8. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥+2
9. 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 4 + 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2 ( − ∞, ∞ )
3
10. 𝑓 (𝑥) = at x = 1
𝑥−1
Deepen
x2 – 2x + 2 ,x<2
2. 𝑓(𝑥) =
X+3 ,x≥2
2
3. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥+4
|𝑥+1| if x ≠ -1
4. f (x) =
3 if x = -1
4x – 2 if x ≤ 2
5. f (x) =
-2x + 5 if x > 2
Gauge
Directions: Read carefully each item. Use separate sheet for your answers. Write
only the letter of the correct answer for each test item.
B. D.
For numbers 6 – 9: Study the graphs below, then answer the questions on
numbers 6 – 9.
A. C.
B. D.
11. If f(x) is continuous everywhere, then square root [f(x)] is continuous everywhere
A. false B. maybe C. true D. undefined
𝑥 3 −1
12. Define (𝑥) = . Is f continuous in the set of real numbers?
𝑥 2 −1
A. No! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
D. Yes! It is discontinuous at all real numbers.
Determine if f is continuous at x = 0.
A. No! It is discontinuous at x = 0.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 2
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 0.
D. Yes! It is continuous at x = 2.
15. Is f continuous over the following intervals at (-∞, 0)?
A. f is continuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
B. f is discontinuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
C. f is undefined on the interval
D. f is undetermined on the interval
Mercado, Jesus P., Orines, Fernando B. Quezon City, Next Century Mathematics
11, Philippines: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
B. Online Resources
Khan Academy
https://www.google.com/search?q=reference+angles+to+find+exact+value&og=refer
ence+angles+in+&aqs=chrome.7.69i57j0i13i457j
OnlineMathLearning.com