15. Is f continuous over the following intervals at (-∞, 0)?

A. f is continuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there

B. f is discontinuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
C. f is undefined on the interval
D. f is undetermined on the interval

Jumpstart

A function can be continuous on an interval. This simply means that it is

continuous at every point on the interval. Equivalently, if we are able to draw the
entire graph of the function on an interval without lifting our tracing pen, or
without being interrupted by a hole in the middle of the graph, then we can
conclude that the function is continuous on that interval.

Example:

The graph shows discontinuity.

Study the two concepts which are important in determining whether a

|function is continuous at the endpoints of closed intervals.

One – Sided Continuity

a. A function f is said to be continuous from the left at x = c if

𝑓(𝑐) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 →𝑐
b. A function f is said to be continuous from the right at x = c if
𝑓(𝑐) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 →𝑐

Note:
𝑓(𝑐) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥) is read as “ function of c is equal to the limit of function of x as x
𝑥 →𝑐
approaches c from the left”
𝑓(𝑐) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) is read as “ function of c is equal to the limit of function of x as x
𝑥 →𝑐
approaches c from the right”
 Continuity of Polynomial, Absolute Value, Rational and Square Root
Functions
a. Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere.
b. The absolute value function f(x) = |x| is continuous everywhere.
c. Rational functions are continuous on their respective domains.
d. The square root function f(x) = √𝑥 is continuous on [ 0, ∞ ).

Example 1: Consider the graph of the function f given below.

Using the given graph, determine if the function f is continuous on the

following intervals:
a. (-1,1) b. (-∞ , 0) c. (0, +∞)

Solution:
Remember that when we say “trace from the right side of x = c”, we are
tracing not from x = c on the x-axis, but from the point (c, f(c)) along the graph.

a. We can trace the graph from the right side of x = −1 to the left side of x = 1
without lifting the pen we are using. Hence, we can say that the function f is
continuous on the interval (−1, 1).
b. If we trace the graph from any negatively large number up to the left side of 0, we
will not lift our pen and so, f is continuous on (−∞, 0).
c. For the interval (0, +∞), we trace the graph from the right side of 0 to any large
number, and find that we will not lift our pen. Thus, the function f is
continuous on (0, +∞).
Example 2: Consider the graph of the function h below.

Determine using the given graph if the function f is continuous on the following
intervals:
a. (−1, 1) b. [0.5, 2]

Solution:
Because we are already given the graph of h, we characterize the continuity
of h by the possibility of tracing the graph without lifting the pen.

a. If we trace the graph of the function h from the right side of x = −1 to the left side
of x = 1, we will be interrupted by a hole when we reach x = 0. We are forced to
lift our pen just before we reach x = 0 to indicate that h is not defined at x = 0
and continue tracing again starting from the right of x = 0. Therefore, we are not
able to trace the graph of h on (−1, 1) without lifting our pen. Thus, the function
h is not continuous on (−1, 1).
b. For the interval [0.5, 2], if we trace the graph from x = 0.5 to x = 2, we do not
have to lift the pen at all. Thus, the function h is continuous on [0.5, 2].

Now, if a function is given without its corresponding graph, we must find

other means to determine if the function is continuous or not on an interval. Here
are definitions that will help us:

A function f is said to be continuous...

(a) everywhere if f is continuous at every real number. In this case,

we also say f is continuous on R.
(b) on (a, b) if f is continuous at every point x in (a, b).
(c) on [a, b) if f is continuous on (a, b) and from the right at a.
(d) on (a, b] if f is continuous on (a, b) and from the left at b.
(e) on [a, b] if f is continuous on (a, b] and on [a, b).
(f) on (a, ∞) if f is continuous at all x > a.
(g) on [a, ∞) if f is continuous on (a, ∞) and from the right at a.
(h) on (−∞, b) if f is continuous at all x < b.
(i) on (−∞, b] if f is continuous on (−∞, b) and from the left at b.
Activity 1: Judge Me!
Determine if the graph is continuous or not.
1. 2.

3.

4.

5.
 Discover

Continuity at a Number

A function f (x) is said to be continuous at the number if all the following

three conditions are satisfied.
a. f (a) exists
b. lim 𝑓 (𝑥) exists
𝑥 →𝑎
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥 →𝑎

Note: If any one or more of the above three conditions fail, the function f(x) is
said to be continuous at a number a.

Example 1: Determine whether f(x) = 4x2 + x – 2 is continuous at x = 1

Solution:
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2
= 4 (1)2 + 1 – 2
=3
b. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2
𝑥 →1
= 4 (1)2 + 1 – 2
=3
c. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑓 (1)
𝑥 →1
The three conditions are satisfied. The function is continuous at x = 1.

𝑥 2 −9
Example 2: Determine whether the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous at:
𝑥−3
1. x = 0 2. x = 2 3. x = 3
Solution:
1. At x = 0
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3

02 −9
𝑓(0) =
0−3
=3
𝑥 2 −9 lim 𝑥 2 −9
b. lim = 𝑥 →0
𝑥 →0 𝑥−3 lim 𝑥−3
𝑥 →0

lim 𝑥 2 − lim 9
= 𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0
lim 𝑥− lim 3
𝑥 →0 𝑥 →0

=3
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(0)
𝑥 →0
The three conditions are satisfied. Hence, f(x) is continuous at x = 0
2. At x = 2
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−3

22 −9
𝑓 (2) =
2−3

4−9
=
−1

=5
𝑥 2 −9 lim 𝑥 2 −9
b. lim 𝑥−3 = 𝑥→2
𝑥 →2 lim 𝑥−3
𝑥→2

lim 𝑥 2 − lim 9
= 𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
lim 𝑥− lim 3
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2

22 −9
=
2−3

4−9
=
−1
=5
c. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(2)
𝑥 →2
3. At x = 3
𝑥 2 −9
a. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3

32 −9
𝑓(3) =
3−3
0
=
0
The limit is indeterminate.
𝑥 2 −9 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−3)
b. lim = lim
𝑥 →3 𝑥−3 𝑥 →3 𝑥−3

= lim (𝑥 + 3)
𝑥 →3
= lim 𝑥 + lim 3
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3+3
=6
lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(3) ; Hence f (x) is discontinuous at x = 3
𝑥 →3

The graph is shown below.

 There is a break in the graph of the function at the point where x = 3. This is
indicated by the hole.

Example 3: Investigate the continuity of the function.

-2x + 4 if x ≥ 3
f (x) =
x–1 if x < 3

Solution:
The graph is shown below.
f (x) = -2x + 4

x 3 4
f (x) -2 -4

f (x) = x - 1

x 3 2
f (x) 2 1

f (x) = x – 1, x < 3

f (x) = -2x + 4, x ≥ 3
33< 3

There is a break in the graph at x = 3. Find out if the three conditions are
satisfied.

At x = 3
a. f (x) = -2x + 4
f (3) = -2 (3) + 4
= -6 + 4
= -2
b. lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥) = lim+(−2𝑥 + 4)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= -2 (3) + 4
=-2
 lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim− 𝑥 − 1
𝑥 →3− 𝑥 →3

= lim− 𝑥 − lim− 1
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3–1
=2
c. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3

The second condition is not satisfied at x = 3. Hence, the function is

discontinuous at x = 3.

Continuity on an Open Interval

A function f(x) is continuous on an interval (a,b) if it is continuous at every

point on the interval (a,b).

Illustration:

a b
(a,b)

Continuity on a Closed Interval

A function f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a,b] if
1. It is continuous on the open interval ( a,b ).
2. It is continuous from the right of a.
a. 𝑓 (𝑎) exists.
b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥 →𝑎
c. lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑎)
𝑥 →𝑎
3. It is continuous from the left of b.
a. 𝑓 (𝑏) exists.
b. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) exists
𝑥 →𝑏
c. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (𝑏)
𝑥 →𝑏

Illustration:

a b
[a,b]

Continuity of Polynomial, Rational and Square Root Function

1. A polynomial function is continuous at every real number, that is, it is
continuous everywhere.
2. A rational function is continuous at every number in its domain.
3. A square root is continuous at every number in its domain.

Example 4: Determine whether the following function is continuous at the given

interval.
𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 ( −∞, + ∞ )
Solution:
x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
f (x) 4 0 -2 -2 0 4

Since polynomial function is continuous at every real number then, 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 −

2 is continuous at ( - ∞, + ∞ ).

Example 5: Determine whether the following function is continuous on the given

interval.
𝑓 (𝑥) = √9 − 𝑥 2 [ -3, 3 ]
Solution:
The graph is shown below:

a. 𝑓 (3) = √9 − 𝑥 2
= √9 − (3)2
=0
b. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) = √9 − 𝑥 2
𝑥 →3
= √9 − (3)2
=0
c. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (3)
𝑥 →3
It is continuous from the left of x = 3.
 d. 𝑓 (−3) = √9 − 𝑥 2
= √9 − (−3)2
=0
e. lim + 𝑓 (𝑥) = √9 − (𝑥)2
𝑥 → −3
= √9 − (−3)2
=0
f. lim + 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑓 (−3)
𝑥 → −3

It is continuous from the right of x = -3.

Hence, the function is continuous on the interval [ -3, 3 ].

Types of Discontinuity

1. Removable Discontinuity – This discontinuity occurs when there is a hole in the

graph of the function.

Example 6: Consider the following function.

𝑥 2 −4
𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−2
The denominator of this rational function should not be equal to zero, that
is, x – 2 ≠ 0.
If x – 2 = 0, then x = 2. Substituting 2 in place of x will make the rational
0
fraction equal to which is undefined. This means that the function is
0
discontinuous at x = 2. This can be verified by using the definition of continuity.
𝑥 2 −4
a. 𝑓 (2) =
𝑥−2

22 −4
𝑓 (2) =
2−2

0
= indeterminate
0
0
In the language of Calculus, is indeterminate
0

𝑥 2 −4 (𝑥+2)(𝑥−2)
b. lim = lim
𝑥 →2 𝑥−2 𝑥 →2 (𝑥−2)

= lim 𝑥 + 2
𝑥 →2

= lim 𝑥 + lim 2
𝑥 →2 𝑥 →2
=2+2
=4
c. lim 𝑓 (𝑥) ≠ 𝑓 ( 2)
𝑥 →2

Hence, the function is discontinuous at x = 2. The graph is shown below,

there is a hole in the graph.
 f (x) = x + 2

x 0 1 2

f (x) 2 3 5

The discontinuity of the function is removable. To remove the discontinuity,

redefine the function.
𝑥 2 −4
, x≠2
𝑥−2
𝑓 (𝑥) =
4 , x=2

2. Jump Discontinuity – This discontinuity occurs when the graph of the function
stops at one point and seems to jump at another point. In a jump discontinuity,
the left hand and the right hand limits exist but are not equal.
Example 7:
3x – 2 ; x<3
𝑓 (𝑥 ) =
x–1 ; x≥3
Solution:
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1
𝑓 (3) = 3 − 1
=2
b. lim−(3𝑥 − 2) = lim− 3𝑥 − lim− 2
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
= 3 (3) – 2
=9–2
=7
c. lim+(𝑥 − 1) = lim+ 𝑥 − lim+ 1
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3
=3–1
=2
d. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥)
𝑥 →3 𝑥 →3

This is a non – removable discontinuity. It is not possible to redefine it. The graph
is shown below.

𝑓 (𝑥) = 3𝑥 − 2
x -1 0 1
f (x) -5 -2 1

𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1

x 3 4 5
f (x) 2 3 4
3. Infinite Discontinuity – In this type of discontinuity, at least one of the two limits
is infinite.
3
Example 8: Consider the function 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−2
Solution:
3
a. 𝑓 (𝑥) =
𝑥−2
3
𝑓 (2) =
2−2
 3
= undefined
0
The first condition is not satisfied. Therefore, the function is discontinuous
at x = 2.
b. Find the limits
Table 1
x -4 -2 -1 0 1 1.5 1.7 1.9 1.99 1.999
f (x) -0.5 -0.75 -1 -1.5 -3 -6 -10 -30 -300 -3000

As the value of x approaches 2 from the left, f (x) approaches negative

infinity.

Table 2
x 5 4 3 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.01 2.001
f (x) 1 1.5 3 6 7.5 10 15 30 300 3000

As the value of x approaches 2 from the right, f (x) approaches positive

infinity.

3
lim = +∞
𝑥 →2+ 𝑥−2

3
lim = −∞
𝑥 →2− 𝑥−2
 Gauge

Post – Test: Continuity of Love to Continuity!

Directions: Read carefully each item. Use separate sheet for your answers. Write
only the letter of the correct answer for each test item.

1. Which of the following indicates a closed interval?

A. (a,b] B. [a,b) C. (a,b) D. [a,b]
2. What are the conditions to satisfy continuity at a number?
i. f(a) exists
ii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists
𝑥 →𝑎
iii. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑥 →𝑎
iv. lim 𝑓(𝑎) exists
𝑥 →𝑎
A. i, ii, iii B. i, ii, iv C. ii, iii, iv D. i, ii, iii, iv
3. Which of the following indicates an open interval?
A. (a,b] B. [a,b) C. (a,b) D. [a,b]
4. Which of the following statements show continuity of polynomial functions?
A. A polynomial function is continuous at every real number, that is, it is
continuous everywhere.
B. A polynomial function is not continuous at every real number, that is, it is
continuous everywhere.
C. A polynomial function is continuous at every real number, that is, it is
not continuous everywhere.
D. A polynomial function is continuous at every real number, that is, it is
discontinuous everywhere.
5. Which of the following is the graph of the function f (x) = x 2?
A. C.

B. D.
For numbers 6 – 9: Study the graphs below, then answer the questions on
numbers 6 – 9.
A. C.

B. D.

6. Which is the graph of jump discontinuity?

7. Which is the graph of removable discontinuity?
8. Which is the graph of infinite discontinuity?
9. Which is the graph of continuous function?
10. If functions f(x) and g(x) are continuous everywhere, then
A. (f/g) (x) is also continuous everywhere
B. (f/g)(x) is also continuous everywhere except at the zeroes of g(x)
C. more information is needed to answer this question
D. the question is insufficient

11. If f(x) is continuous everywhere, then square root [f(x)] is continuous everywhere
A. false B. maybe C. true D. undefined

𝑥 3 −1
12. Define (𝑥) = . Is f continuous in the set of real numbers?
𝑥 2 −1
A. No! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 1 and x = -1.
D. Yes! It is discontinuous at all real numbers.

13. What is the graph of the function in item number 12?

A. C.
 B. D.

14. Define the function

2 if x < 0
𝑓(𝑥) = √4 − 𝑥 2 if 0 ≤ x ≤ 2
-2 if x ≥ 2

Determine if f is continuous at x = 0.
A. No! It is discontinuous at x = 0.
B. No! It is discontinuous at x = 2
C. Yes! It is continuous at x = 0.
D. Yes! It is continuous at x = 2.
15. Is f continuous over the following intervals at (-∞, 0)?
A. f is continuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
B. f is discontinuous on (-∞, 0) because it is constant there
C. f is undefined on the interval
D. f is undetermined on the interval

Great job! You are done with this

module.