Topic for the class: Continuity

Unit-I: Limits and continuity of single and several variables

Dr. P. S. R. Murty
Associate Professor
Department of Mathematics
GITAM Institute of Science (GIS)
Visakhapatnam – 530045
Email: dparamse@gitam.edu
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 Problems:
4. Prove that
5. Prove that

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ulus - I
Continuity at a Point:
We observe that the domain of the function is the
closed interval [0, 4], so we will be considering
the numbers x within that interval. From the
figure, we notice right away that there are breaks
in the graph at the numbers x = 1, x = 2, and
x = 4. The break at x = 1 appears as a jump,
which we identify later as a “jump discontinuity.”
The break at x = 2 is called a “removable
discontinuity” since by changing the function
definition at that one point, we can create a new
function that is continuous at x = 2. Similarly
x = 4 is a removable discontinuity.
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.

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EXAMPLE:

1. The function ƒ(x) = is continuous over its domain [-2, 2].

It is right-continuous at x = -2 and left-continuous at x = 2.
2. Consider The function y = . It is discontinuous at every integer n,
because the left-hand and right-hand limits are not equal as
= n - 1 and = n. Since = n, the greatest integer function is
right-continuous at every integer n (but not left-continuous). The
greatest
integer function is continuous at every real number other than the
integers.
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.
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 .

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 .
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EXAMPLE:
(a)The function ƒ(x) = 1/x is a continuous function because it is
continuous at every point of its domain.
(b)The point x = 0 is not in the domain of the function ƒ, so ƒ is not
continuous on any interval containing x = 0.
(c)Moreover, there is no way to extend ƒ to a new function that is
defined and continuous at x = 0.
(d)The function ƒ does not have a removable discontinuity at x = 0.

Note: The identity function ƒ(x) = x and constant functions are

continuous everywhere
1. The function ƒ(x) = is continuous. If x > 0, we have ƒ(x) = x, a
polynomial. If x < 0, we have ƒ(x) = -x, another polynomial. Finally, at
the origin,

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Problems:
1. Define g(4) in a way that extends g(x) = to be
continuous at x = 4.
2. At what points are the functions continuous?
(a) y = (b)
3. For what value of a is
continuous at every x?
4. For what value of b is
continuous at every x?

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