Continuity of a

Function and
One-Sided Limit
This
will test
the
“Limits”
of your
brain!
Definition of Continuity
A function is called continuous at c if the
following three conditions are met:

1. f(c) is defined

2. lim f ( x) exists
x c

3. lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c

A function is continuous on an open

interval (a,b) if it is continuous at each
point in the interval.
Consider the function
Because of the break or the whole in the graph of the given function ,
we say the function is not continuous at the number x = -1
Examples:
Determine if the given function is
continuous at a given value of x.
Remarks on Continuous Functions
1. Polynomial functions are continuous in the
set of real numbers.
2. Rational functions are continuous except at
values where the denominator is 0.
3. The sine and cosine functions are continuous
in the set of real numbers.
4. The sum, difference, product and quotient
(provided the denominator is nonzero) of
continuous functions are continuous.
Is the given function continuous
in the set of real numbers?
Two Types of Discontinuities
Two Types of Discontinuities
Two Types of Discontinuities
 the open circle
can be filled in
to make it
Removable example continuous

x2 1
f ( x) 
x 1
( x  1)( x  1)
f ( x) 
x 1
 x 1
2
f ( x)  , (0,2)
x 1

( )

discontinuous at x = 1
removable discontinuity since filling in (1,2)
would make it continuous.
 5  x, 1  x  2
g(x)=
x  1,
2
2 x3
Is g(x) continuous at x = 2?

lim g ( x)  xlim
2 
 5  x  3
x2

lim g ( x) 
x2
lim x
x2
2

1  3 

 g(x) is continuous at x = 2
Determine if each function is continuous at the given x-values. If not
continuous, classify each discontinuity.