Continuity

2.4
Most of the techniques of calculus require that functions
be continuous. A function is continuous if you can draw it
in one motion without picking up your pencil.

A function is continuous at a point if the limit is the same

as the value of the function.

This function has discontinuities

2 at x=1 and x=2.
1
It is continuous at x=0 and x=4,
1 2 3 4 because the one-sided limits
match the value of the function


Show g(x)=x^2 + 1 is continuous at x = 1
1) g (1)  2

2) lim g ( x)  2
x 1

3) lim g ( x)  g (1)  2
x 1

 g ( x) is continuous at x  1
  x 1 x  2
Is the function f(x)   continuous at x  2?
2x - 1 x  2

1) f (2)  3 2) lim f ( x)  3
x2

lim f ( x)  3
x2

 lim f ( x) exists
x2

3) lim f ( x)  f (2)  3
x2

 f ( x) is continuous at x  2
  x 1 x  2
Is the function f(x)   continuous at x  2?
2x - 1 x  2

1) f (2)  DNE
 Not continuous at x  2
  x 1 x  2
 2
Is the function f(x)   x x  2 continuous at x  2?
2 x  1 x  2


1) f (2)  4 2) lim f ( x)  3
x2

lim f ( x)  3
x2

 lim f ( x) exists
x2

3) lim f ( x)  f (2)
x2

 f ( x) is discontinuous at x  2
Types of Discontinuities
 There are 4 types of discontinuities
 Jump
 Point
 Essential
 Removable

 The first three are considered non

removable
Jump Discontinuity
 Occurs when the curve breaks at a
particular point and starts somewhere else
 Right hand limit does not equal left hand limit
Point Discontinuity
 Occurs when the curve has a “hole”
because the function has a value that is
off the curve at that point.
 Limit of f as x approaches x does not equal f(x)
Essential Discontinuity
 Occurs when curve has a vertical
asymptote
 Limit dne due to asymptote
Removable Discontinuity
 Occurs when you have a rational
expression with common factors in the
numerator and denominator. Because
these factors can be cancelled, the
discontinuity is removable.
Places to test for continuity
 Rational Expression
 Values that make denominator = 0
 Piecewise Functions
 Changes in interval
 Absolute Value Functions
 Use piecewise definition and test changes in
interval
 Step Functions
 Test jumps from 1 step to next.
Continuous Functions in their domains
 Polynomials
 Rational f(x)/g(x) if g(x) ≠0
 Radical
 trig functions
Find and identify and points of
discontinuity
x  3 x  2
f(x)   2
x x2
2) lim f ( x)  5
x2

1) f (2)  5 lim f ( x)  4
x2

 lim f ( x) dne
x 2

Non removable – jump discontinuity

Find and identify and points of
discontinuity
5
f ( x) 
x4

Non removable – essential discontinuity

VA at x = 4
Find and identify and points of
discontinuity
2
x  8 x  15
f ( x)  2
x  6x  5

f ( x) 
x  5x  3
x  5x  1

2 points of disc. (where denominator = 0)

Removable disc. At x = 5
Non removable essential at x = -1 (VA at x = -1)
Find and identify and points of
discontinuity
5 x2
f(x)   2 2) lim f ( x)  4
x x2 x2

lim f ( x)  4
1) f (2)  5 x2

 lim f ( x)  4
x2

3) lim f ( x)  f (2)
x2

Non removable point discontinuity

Find and identify and points of
discontinuity
2
2 x  7 x  15
f ( x)  2
x  x  20

f ( x) 
x  52 x  3
x  5x  4

2 points of disc. (where denominator = 0)

Removable disc. At x = 5
Non removable essential at x = -4 (VA at x = -4)