Continuity

Continuity of a Function at a Number

A function f is continuous at a if
1. f is defined at x = a;
that is, a is in the domain of f so the value of f(a) exists.
) (
lim
x f
a x
2. exists;
that is,

3.
) ( ) (
lim
a f x f
a x
=

) ( ) (
lim lim
x f x f
a x a x
+

=
If at least one of the three conditions fail to
hold at a, then the function is said to be
discontinuous at a.
c
y=f(x)
y
x
f(c)
Continuous
c
y=f(x)
y
x
f(c)
Not continuous
c
y=f(x)
y
x
Not continuous
c
y=f(x)
y
x
Not continuous
f(c)
c
y=f(x)
y
x
Not continuous
c
y=f(x)
y
x
Not continuous
Continuity of Rational and Polynomial
Functions
A polynomial function is continuous everywhere.
A rational function defined by
where N(x) and D(x) are both polynomial functions, is
continuous at every number a provided that .
0 ) ( = x D
) (
) (
) (
x D
x N
x f =
Consider the function defined by
Example:
Determine if f is continuous
at x = 3.

>
s +
=
3 , 3
3 ,
) (
2
x if x
x if x x
x f
Consider the function defined by
Example:
Determine if f is continuous at x = 2 and
at x = 1 .
Continuity on an Interval
A function f is said to be continuous
) ( ) (
lim
a f x f
a x
=
+

on an open interval if and only if it is continuous at

every number in the open interval.
on the half-open interval [a, b) if and only if it is
continuous on the open interval (a, b) and
on the half-open interval (a, b] if and only if it is
continuous on the open interval (a, b) and
) ( ) (
lim
b f x f
b x
=

Continuity on an Interval
A function f is said to be continuous
) ( ) (
lim
a f x f
a x
=
+

on the closed interval [a , b] if and only if it is

continuous on the open interval (a, b) and
) ( ) (
lim
b f x f
b x
=

For each of the given functions, do the

following:

A. Sketch the graph of the given
function.
B. By observing where there is a break
in the graph, determine the number
at which the function is
discontinuous.
C. Verify, using the definition of
continuity, the 3 conditions to
determine the continuity of the
function at the possible point(s) of
discontinuity.
D. Find the largest interval or union of
intervals for which the given function
is continuous.


Exercises:

>
s +
=
1 , 3
1 , 3
) (
x x
x x
x f

=
=
=
3 , 2
3 , 3
) (
x
x x
x g
2
) (

=
x
x
x h
For each of the given functions, do the
following:

A. Sketch the graph of the given
function.
B. By observing where there is a break
in the graph, determine the number
at which the function is
discontinuous.
C. Verify, using the definition of
continuity, the 3 conditions to
determine the continuity of the
function at the possible point(s) of
discontinuity.
D. Find the largest interval or union of
intervals for which the given function
is continuous.


Exercises:

> +
< s +
<
=
2 5
2 1 , 3 2
1 ,
) (
2
x x
x x
x x
x g

>
< < +
s
=
1 4
1 1 , 4
1 , 3 2
) (
2
x x
x x x
x x
x f
For each of the given functions, do the
following:

A. Sketch the graph of the given
function.
B. By observing where there is a break
in the graph, determine the number
at which the function is
discontinuous.
C. Verify, using the definition of
continuity, the 3 conditions to
determine the continuity of the
function at the possible point(s) of
discontinuity.
D. Find the largest interval or union of
intervals for which the given function
is continuous.


Exercises:

>
=
< +
=
2 2 8
2 8
2 , 2 3
) (
2
x x x
x
x x
x g

<

+
>
=
2 ,
1
2 , 4
) (
2
2
x
x x
x
x x
x f