Continuity

Definition 1.11

- A function f is said to be continuous at a number c if

a) f (x) is defined (c is in the domain of x)
b) lim f (x )
x →c

c) lim f (x ) = f (c )
x →c

Types of Discontinuity

1. f (x) is not continuous at c

Figure 1

2. Jump Discontinuity
o Jump discontinuity is when the two-sided limit doesn’t exist because the one-sided
limits are not equal.

Figure 2

3. Essential or Infinite Discontinuity

o Essential of infinite discontinuity is when the two-sided limit does not exist because it is
unbounded.
 Figure 3

4. Removable Discontinuity
o Removable discontinuity is a point on the graph that is undefined or does not fit the rest
of the graph. There is a gap at that location when you are looking at the graph.

Figure 4

Example:

At what point does the function is not continuous and identify the type of its discontinuity?
2
x −x−2
 f ( x )=
x−2
o Answer: Since x=2 is the asymptote of the function hence, f(2) is not defined,
thus, the function f is not continuous at x=2. INFINITE DISCONTINUITY
o (−∞ , 2 ) U (2 ,+∞)
 f ( x )= [ x ]
o Answer: Since the given function is an example of Greatest Integer Function,
therefore it is a JUMP DISCONTINUITY
3 2
x −3 x + 2 x
 f ( x )=
x−1
 o We will compute its limit at x=1
3 2
x −3 x +2 x
o lim f ( x )=¿ lim ¿
x →1 x →1 x−1
o ¿ lim [ x x −3 x+2 ]
( 2 )
x →1 x−1
o ¿ lim
[ x ( x −1 )( x−2 ) ]
x →1 x−1
o lim [ x ( x−2 )] (as x−1got cancelled)
x →1
o ¿ 1 ( 1−2 )
o ¿−1
o First graph: f(1)=1 and in this case, lim f ( x ) ≠ f ( 1 )
x →1

o Second graph: f ( 1 ) =
[ ( 1 )−3 ( 1 ) +2 (1 ) ] = 0 which is an intermediate form and
3 2

1−1 0
hence f ( 1 ) is not defined. Here also, lim f ( x ) ≠ f ( 1 )
x →1
Thus, the mathematical definition justifies the presence of removable
discontinuities in both graphs.

More Examples on Continuity

At what point does the function is not continuous and identify the type of its discontinuity?

3
 f ( x )=
x−9
o Answer: Since x=9 is the asymptote of the function hence, f(2) is not defined,
thus, the function f is not continuous at x=9. INFINITE DISCONTINUITY
3 x +1
 f ( x )=
2 x+ 3
3
o Answer: Since x ≠ is the domain of the function, hence is not defined, thus,
2
3 3
the function f ( ) has discontinuities at x= INFINITE DISCONTINUITY
2 2
Continuity at an Interval

Definition 1.12

A function is said to be continuous on a closed interval [a,b] if the following conditions are satisfied:

 f is continuous on (a,b)
 f is continuous from the right at a
 f is continuous from the left at b

Remember :
  (a,b) = open interval
 [a,b) = half closed (open) interval
 (a,b] = half open (closed) interval
 [a,b] = closed interval

Example:

1
 2
x +5 x +6
o x 2+ 5 x +6=0 , ( x+ 2 )( x +3 ) =0
o x +2=0 , x +3=0
o x=−2 , x=−3
o x=−2 ,−3
o (−∞ ,−3 )U(−3 ,−2 )U(−2 ,+∞ )
o ESSENTIAL DISCONTINUITY

Intermediate Value Theorem

Definition 2.11

- Suppose that f is continuous on the closed interval [a,b] and k is any number between f(a)
and f(b) then there is at least one number c, such that f(c)=k

- f(c)=w=root

Example:
o f ( x )=x 2 + 4 x+ 4=0
2
o f (−2 )=(−2 ) +4 (−2 )+ 4=0
¿ 4−8+4=0
¿ 0=0

Continuity of Compositions

Theorem 1.14
 - If lim f ( x )=Land if the function f is continuous at L then lim f ( g ( x ) )=f ( L )
x →a x →a
Example:
o lim |5−x 2|
x →3
2
o ¿∨lim 5−x ∨¿ ¿
x→ 3

o ¿|5−( 3 )2|
o ¿|5−9|
o =|-4|
o =4

Theorem 1.15

- If the function g is continuous at c and f is continuous at g(x) then, f ° g is continuous at c.

- If the function g is continuous everywhere (−∞ ,+∞ ) and f is continuous everywhere then,
f ° gis continuous everywhere.

References:

Removable discontinuity | Non removable and jump discontinuity. (n.d.). Cuemath.

https://www.cuemath.com/calculus/removable-discontinuity/

Intermediate value theorem. (n.d.). https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/intermediate-value-

theorem.html

Admin. (2022b). Discontinuity in math – definition and types. BYJUS.

https://byjus.com/maths/discontinuity/