Limits and Continuity

Casiano DC. Jaurigue

Continuity
1.5 CONTINUITY
OF A FUNCTION
Continuity of a Function at a Number
A function f is continuous at the number 𝑎 if and
only if the following three conditions are all
satisfied:

▪ 𝑓(𝑎) exists
▪ lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥→𝑎

▪ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)

𝑥→𝑎
 ▪ 𝑓(𝑎) exists
▪ lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥→𝑎

▪ lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)

𝑥→𝑎

If one of these conditions fails to hold at 𝑎,

then 𝑓 is said to be discontinuous at 𝑎 .
Theorems

▪ A polynomial function is continuous

at every real number.

▪ A rational function is continuous at

every number in its domain.
 Two types of discontinuity

▪ If a function f is discontinuous at a number a

but lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then f has a removable
𝑥→𝑎
discontinuity at a
› The discontinuity at a can be removed by
redefining the function value at a to be the
same as the value of lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎

▪ If lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist, then that f has an

𝑥→𝑎
essential discontinuity at a
Example 1. Determine the numbers where the given
function is discontinuous, if there is any, and state the
reason for the discontinuity. Sketch the graph of the
function and verify that the graph has a break at the
point of discontinuity.
𝑥, 𝑥≥1
a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 2
− 3 d) ℎ 𝑥 = ቊ−𝑥, 𝑥<1
1
b) 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥+2 𝑥 + 2 2, 𝑥 < −2
4 e) ℎ 𝑥 = ൞ 4 − 𝑥 2 , −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑥 −1
c) 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −1
𝑥−2 , 𝑥>2
Solution:
a) 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 1 2
−3

› 𝑓 is a polynomial function
› A polynomial function is
continuous everywhere
› Thus, there is no number
where f is discontinuous.

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥+1 2 −3
Solution:
1
b) 𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥+2
› g is a rational function
› A rational function is
continuous at each number
in its domain
› Hence, g is continuous for all real
numbers except at 𝑥 = −2
› g is discontinuous at 𝑥 = −2
› What type of discontinuity?
 1
𝑔 𝑥 =
𝑥+2

▪ 𝑔(−2) does not exist

▪ lim 𝑔(𝑥) does not exist
𝑥→−2

▪ 
lim 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑔(−2)
𝑥→−2

Hence, g has an essential discontinuity at

𝑥 = −2
 𝑥 4 −1
c) 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥 2 −1

› f is a rational function whose

domain is 𝑥|𝑥 ≠ −1,1
› f is continuous at every number
except −1 and 1
› 𝑓 −1 and 𝑓 1 are undefined
› 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = −1 and
𝑥=1
› What type of discontinuity?
 𝑥4 − 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −1
At 𝑥 = −1:
▪ 𝑓(−1) does not exist
𝑥 4 −1 0
▪ lim 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥 −1 0
(𝑥 2 −1)(𝑥 2 +1)
= lim = lim (𝑥 2 +1) = 2
𝑥→−1 𝑥 2 −1 𝑥→−1
The limit exists.

Hence, f has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = −1.

 𝑥4 − 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −1
At 𝑥 = 1:
▪ 𝑓(1) does not exist
𝑥 4 −1 0
▪ lim 2
𝑥→1 𝑥 −1 0
(𝑥 2 −1)(𝑥 2 +1)
= lim = lim (𝑥 2 +1) = 2
𝑥→1 𝑥 2 −1 𝑥→1
The limit exists.

Hence, f has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 1.

 𝑥4 − 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥 −1

› Since lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 and lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 2 exist, the

𝑥→−1 𝑥→1
discontinuities at −1 and 1 are removable.
› Redefine 𝑓 to make it continuous at every number:
• Let 𝑓 −1 = 2 and 𝑓 1 = 2
• Redefined 𝑓:
𝑥4 − 1
2
, if 𝑥 ≠ ±1
𝑓 𝑥 = ൞𝑥 − 1
2, if 𝑥 = ±1
 𝑥4−1 𝑥4 − 1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2 2
, if 𝑥 ≠ ±1
𝑥 −1 𝑓 𝑥 = ൞𝑥 − 1
2, if 𝑥 = ±1

Note that the break in the graph of f can be

bridged by the addition or replacement of a
single point.
 𝑥, 𝑥≥1 Possible discontinuities of a
d) ℎ 𝑥 = ቊ piecewise function are at the
−𝑥, 𝑥<1
endpoints of the conditions

› 𝑥 and −𝑥 are polynomials that are continuous

everywhere
› The only possible discontinuity of h is at 𝑥 = 1
› At 𝑥 = 1:
• lim− ℎ 𝑥 = lim− −𝑥 = −1
𝑥→1 𝑥→1
▪ ℎ 1 =1
• lim+ ℎ 𝑥 = lim+ 𝑥 = 1
▪ lim ℎ(𝑥) =? 𝑥→1 𝑥→1
𝑥→1
∴ lim ℎ(𝑥) does not exist
𝑥→1

Thus, h is essentially discontinuous at x = 1.

  x, x  1
h ( x) = 
 − x, x  1

Note that the break in the graph of f cannot be

bridged by the addition or replacement of a
single point.
e)
𝑥 + 4 2, 𝑥 < −2 Is h continuous on (-,-2)?
ℎ 𝑥 = ൞ 4 − 𝑥 2, −2 ≤ 𝑥 < 2 Is h continuous on (-2,2)?
𝑥−2 , 𝑥>2 Is h continuous on (2,+)?

Possible points of discontinuity: −2, 2

At 𝑥 = −2 :
• lim − ℎ 𝑥 = lim − 𝑥 + 4 2 =4
𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2
▪ ℎ −2 = 0
▪ lim ℎ(𝑥) =? • lim + ℎ 𝑥 = lim + 4 − 𝑥 2 = 0
𝑥→−2 𝑥→−2
𝑥→−2
∴ lim ℎ(𝑥) does not exist
𝑥→−2

Thus, h has an essential discontinuity at 𝑥 = −2 .

e)
𝑥 + 4 2, 𝑥 < −2 Is h continuous on (-,-2)?
ℎ 𝑥 = ൞ 4 − 𝑥 2, −2 ≤ 𝑥 < 2 Is h continuous on (-2,2)?
𝑥−2 , 𝑥>2 Is h continuous on (2,+)?

Possible points of discontinuity: −2, 2

At 𝑥 = 2 :
• lim− ℎ 𝑥 = lim− 4 − 𝑥 2 = 0
▪ ℎ 2 is undefined 𝑥→2 𝑥→2

▪ lim ℎ(𝑥) =? • lim+ ℎ 𝑥 = lim+ 𝑥 − 2 = 0

𝑥→2 𝑥→2
𝑥→2
∴ lim ℎ 𝑥 = 0 Limit exists
𝑥→2

Thus, h has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 2 .

 removable
discontinuity
at 𝑥 = 2
essential
discontinuity
at 𝑥 = −2

( x + 4 )2 , x  −2


h ( x ) =  4 − x , −2  x  2
2

 x−2 , x2

› h can be redefined such that it will be continuous
at 𝑥 = 2.

( x + 4 )2 , x  −2


h ( x ) =  4 − x 2 , −2  x  2
 x−2 , x 2

Example 2. Determine the numbers where the given
function is discontinuous, if there is any, and determine
the type of discontinuity.

▪ Removable discontinuity at
𝑥 = −3, 0
4
infinite
discontinuity 3
(essential)
1

-3 -1 1 3
hole
discontinuity jump
(removable) discontinuity
(essential)
▪ Essential discontinuity at
𝑥 = −2, 2, 3 x = -2 x=2
Continuity of a Function on an Interval

› A function f is continuous on the open

interval (a, b) if and only if f is continuous at
every number between a and b.
› A function f is continuous from the
right at a if the following three
conditions are satisfied:

i. f (a) exists
ii. xlim
→a +
f ( x ) exists
iii. lim+ f ( x) = f (a )
x→a
› A function f is continuous from the
left at b if the following three
conditions are satisfied:

i. f (b) exists
ii. xlim
→b −
f ( x ) exists
iii. lim− f ( x) = f (a)
x →b
› A function f is continuous on the closed
interval [a, b] if the following three
conditions are satisfied:

✓ f is continuous on the open interval (a,b)

✓ f is continuous from the right at a
✓ f is continuous from the left at b
 1
Example 3. Let 𝑔 𝑥 = 2 . Determine if g is
𝑥 −9
continuous on each of the following intervals:
a. [-3,3]  b. (-3,3) ✓ c. (0,2) ✓

d. [-3,3)  e. (2,8)  f. (0,+) 

Solution:
g is continuous at all real
numbers except at 3 and -3
where it has an essential
discontinuity.
 2𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −2
Example 4. Let 𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ 1, −2 < 𝑥 ≤ 0
𝑥 + 2, 𝑥>0
Determine if f is continuous on each of the following
intervals:

a. ( −, −2 ) ✓ b. ( −, −2  c. ( −2, + ) 

d. ( −2, −1) ✓ e. 0, + ) 

Check if the function is discontinuous at 𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = 0

a.( −, −2 ) ✓ b. ( −, −2 c. ( −2, + ) 
d.( −2, −1) ✓ e.  0, + ) 
2𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −2
𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ 1, −2 < 𝑥 ≤ 0
𝑥 + 2, 𝑥>0
Solution:
a. Yes, by definition of continuity on an open interval.
b. No, 𝑓 −2 is undefined.
c. No, f is not continuous at 0 (verify!)
d. Yes.
e. No, lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑓 0 = 1 but lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥) = 0 + 2 = 2
𝑥→0 𝑥→0
Thus, f is not continuous from the right at 0.
Next: Module 2 Differentiation
and
The Derivative
Sir Choy