Continuity of a Function

at a Number
Definition:
The function is said to be continuous at the number a if and
only if the following three conditions are satisfied:

i. s

ii. =

If one or more of these three conditions fails to hold at the

function is said to be discontinuous at
Example 1:

Let be a function defined by

 {
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 2 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 10
1.4 𝑥 +6 𝑖𝑓 10 < 𝑥
i.) ii.)
=
= 20

f(a) = 20 =
= 20
Now:
Hence; exist and

Thus, is continuous = 20
at 10
Example 2:

Let be a function defined by

 {
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 2 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
1.8 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 10 <𝑥
10
 i.) = = 20

=
= 20

Condition (i) is
satisfied but condition
(ii) fails to hold at 10. hence; does not exist
Therefore is 0
discontinuous at 10
Example 3:

Let be a function defined by

5 {
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 2 𝑥+3 𝑖𝑓
2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥=1
𝑥 ≠ 1

1
 = =5
i.)
==5
Now,
Hence; exist and

=5
Condition (iii) fails to
hold at 1. Therefore
is discontinuous at 1
Removable discontinuity
A removable discontinuity is one at which the limit of
the function exists but does not equal the value of the
function at that point; this may be because the function
does not exist at that point.
It has a gap that can easily be filled in, because the limit
is the same on both sides.
Example 4:

Let be a function defined by

 {
1
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≠ 2
𝑓 ( 𝑥 )= 𝑥 − 2
3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 =2
i.) = =-

= =+
Now,
Condition (ii) fails to
hold at 2. Therefore Hence;
does not exist
is discontinuous at 2

infinite discontinuity and essential

Essential discontinuity – the discontinuity is not
removable. The limit of the function does not exist

Infinite discontinuity- The limits on both sides exist,

but they are infinite, getting larger as you move
closer to the limit.
Example 5:

Let be a function defined by

h
h
i.) = =4
3+x
= =2

Now,
Condition (ii) fails to Hence;
hold at 1. Therefore does not exist
is discontinuous at 1

Jump discontinuity and essential

 jump discontinuity at a point has
limits that exist, but it’s different on
both sides of the gap.
Theorems on Continuity
If and are two functions continuous at the number ,
then

i.) is continuous at

ii.) is continuous at

iii.) is continuous at

iv.) is continuous at
To prove that is continuous at
, it needs to satisfy the following ( from the definition)
i. s

ii.
Proof of (i):
Because and are continuous then from the definition
= and = g

+=

= +g

Since; = +g

By definition is continuous at
Theorem:
A polynomial function is continuous at every number

Example: let

Hence
Theorem:
A rational function is continuous at every number in
its domain

The domain of is all real numbers except x = 3 and x = -

3. Since is a rational function, by theorem, is continuous
at every real number except 3 and -3
Theorem:

i. If n is even, f is continuous at every positive

number
Given the graph of f(x), shown below, determine if f(x) is continuous
at x=−2 , x=0 , and x = 3.
F(-2) = 2

F(0) = 1

= f(0)
F(3) = -1 Hence f is continuous at 0

f(3)
Removal discontinuity
1. ) Given the graph of f(x), shown below, determine if f(x) is
continuous at x=−8 , x=-2 , and x = 6.
2.) Determine if the following function is
continuous or discontinuous at 
(a) x = −1
(b) x=0 Mam Rochelle
(c) x = 3?
1.) Determine if the following function is
continuous or discontinuous if discontinuous
what type?

g
i.) = = 2(6)=12
g
g = = 6 - 1= 5

Now,
Hence;
Condition (ii) fails to
does not exist
hold at 6. Therefore
is discontinuous at 6

Jump discontinuity and essential

2.) show that f

is f(x) discontinuous at x = 1? Classify the type of

discontinuity
i.) = =1
f3
f = =1

Now,
Hence;
F(a)
exist
Condition (iii) fails to
hold at 1. Therefore
is discontinuous at 1
removable
discontinuity
Continuity of a composite
Function and Interval
Theorem: Limit of a Composite Function

If and if the function is continuous at

Or equivalently,
Theorem: Continuity of a Composite Function

If the function is continuous at and the function is

continuous at then the composite function is
continuous at
Define and determine the numbers at which
is continuous

1.) (x) = ;

() (x) = now the domain of is [-3,3]

Let [-3,3] , the is continuous at and is also continuous at .

Therefore , is continuous at and in the interval [-3,3]

 Definition of Continuity on an Open Interval

A function is said to continuous on an open

interval (a,b) if and only if it is continuous at
every number in the open interval.
 The graph is continuous at
b every number in the open
interval (a,b)

a
 Definition of Right-hand Continuity

A function is said to continuous from the right at

the number if and only if the following conditions are
satisfied:
 Definition of Left-hand Continuity

A function is said to continuous from the left at the

number if and only if the following conditions are
satisfied:
 Definition of Continuity on a Closed Interval
A function whose domain includes the closed
interval is said to continuous on if and only if it
is continuous on the open interval (a,b), as well as
continuous from the right of and continuous from
the left of
 The graph is continuous at
every number in the open
b interval (a,b) as well as
continuous from the right of
and continuous from the left
of
a
State the interval(s) over which the function
Is continuous using the limits.

Solution:

Now we know that if then

and

Since by definition the function is continuous at on )

 Definition of Continuity on an Open Interval

A function is said to continuous on an open

interval (a,b) if and only if it is continuous at
every number in the open interval.
Let us investigate the limit as x approaches 4 from the left

=0 and =0

Since by definition the function is continuous at on

2.) State the interval(s) over which the function

Is continuous using the limits.

Solution:
Now we know that if then
and

Since by definition the function is continuous at on )

Let us investigate the limit as x approaches -2 from the right

= 0 and = 0

Since by definition the function is continuous from the right of .

Let us investigate the limit as x approaches 2 from the left

= 0 and = 0

Since by definition the function is continuous from the left of .

Since the function is continuous from the right of and
continuous from the left of 2 , therefore the function f is
continuous in the closed interval [-2,2]
 Definition of Continuity on a Closed Interval
A function whose domain includes the closed
interval is said to continuous on if and only if it
is continuous on the open interval (a,b), as well as
continuous from the right of and continuous from
the left of
Assignment:

1.) State the interval(s) over which the function

Is continuous using the limits.

2.) State the interval(s) over which the function

Is continuous using the limits.