Continuity of a

Function
Engr. Judy Ann D. Bose
 Learning Outcomes
1. Illustrate the continuity of a function at a number;
2. Determine whether a function is continuous at a number or
not;
3. Illustrate the continuity of a function at an interval;
4. Determine whether a function is continuous at an interval
or not; and
5. Illustrate the different types of discontinuity.
 CONTINUITY OF
A FUNCTION
If a function is continuous at real number a and the limit
exists such that
Lim f x = f a
x→ a
If you know that the function is continuous, you can just
simply plug in the value of a.
The continuity of a function can be determined
graphically and/ or algebraically.
DEFINITION OF CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION AT A NUMBER

If a is a number in the interval (b, c) and f is a function with a domain

containing the interval (b, c), then f is said to be continuous at x = a if all
the following conditions are satisfied:
1. f a is defined
2. Lim f x exists i. e. Lim− f x = Lim+ f x
x→ a x→ a x→ a

3. Lim− f x = f a
x→ a
DISCONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION
Suppose that f is discontinuous at x = a. We say that x = a is a
Hole or Removable Discontinuity
if Lim
x→ a
f x exists but is not equal to f a .
CASE 1
i.e.
Lim− f x = Lim+ f x ≠ f a
x→ a x→ a

Essential or Jump Discontinuity

if Lim− f x and Lim+ f x both exist but are not equal
CASE 2 x→ a x→ a
i.e.
Lim− f x ≠ Lim+ f x
x→ a x→ a

Infinite/Asymptotic Discontinuity
if one or both Lim− f x and Lim+ f x is infinite.
CASE 3 x→ a x→ a
i.e.
Lim− f x = ±∞ or Lim+ f x = ±∞
x→ a x→ a
DISCONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3
Hole Removable Essential/Jump Infinite/ Asymptotic Discontinuity
Discontinuity Discontinuity
INDETERMINATE AND UNDEFINED FORMS
An “Indeterminate Form” has a value that cannot be precisely
known and not necessarily inexistent such as
0 ∞
, , 0 ∗ ∞, 00 , 1∞ and ∞0
0 ∞

An “Undefined Form” is the value of any real number 𝑎 ≠ 0 divided

a
by zero , and therefore does not exist (DNE).
0
EXAMPLE 1

Tell whether the function is continuous at x = 3.

−x + 3, if x < 3
f x = ቐ x − 3, if x > 3
2, if x = 3

Check if the three (3) conditions are satisfied at x = 3.

EXAMPLE 1

Condition 1
. f 3 = 2, hence it is defined
Is f a defined?
Condition 2 Left – hand Limit (LHL) : Lim− −x + 3 = −3 + 3 = 0
x→ 3
Does the Lim f x exist?
x→ a Right – hand Limit (RHL) : Lim+ x − 3 = 3 − 3 = 0
x→ 3
i. e. Lim− f x = Lim+ f x
x→ a x→ a Since LHL is equal to RHL, hence Lim f x exists.
x→ 3
Condition 3
Lim f x = 0 and f 3 =2
x→ 3
Is Lim f x = f a ?
x→ a
Since Lim f x ≠ f 3 , then condition 3 is not satisfied.
x→ 3

Since the third condition is NOT satisfied, then the function f(x) is not continuous at x = 3.
EXAMPLE 1

.
EXAMPLE 2

Tell whether the function is continuous at x = 2.

x 2, if x > 2
f x = ቐ2 2x − 1 , if x = 2
3x − 2 if x < 2

Check if the three (3) conditions are satisfied at x = 2.

EXAMPLE 2
Condition 1 f x = 2 2x − 1

Is f a defined? f 2 = 2 2 2 − 1 = 2 4 − 1 = 2 3 = 6, hence it is defined.

.
Left – hand Limit (LHL)

Condition 2 Lim 3x − 2 = 3 2 − 2 = 6 − 2 = 4
x→ 2−
Does the Lim f x exist? Right – hand Limit (RHL)
x→ a

i. e. Lim− f x = Lim+ f x Lim x 2 = 2 2 = 4

x→ a x→ a x→ 2+

Since LHL is equal to RHL, hence Lim f x exists.

x→ 2
Condition 3
Lim f x = 4 and f 2 =6
x→ 2
Is Lim f x = f a ?
x→ a
Since Lim f x ≠ f 2 , then condition 3 is not satisfied.
x→ 2

Since the third condition is NOT satisfied, then the function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 2.
EXAMPLE 3

Tell whether the function is continuous at x = 2.

2x − 1, if x > 2
f x =ቐ
x 2, if x ≤ 2

Check if the three (3) conditions are satisfied at x = 2.

EXAMPLE 3
Condition 1 f x = x2
Is f a defined? f 2 = 22 = 4, hence it is defined.

Condition 2 Left – hand Limit (LHL) : Lim− x2 = 22 = 4

x→ 2
Does the Lim f x exist? Right – hand Limit (RHL) : Lim+ 2x − 1 = 2 2 − 1 = 3
x→ a
x→ 2
i. e. Lim− f x = Lim+ f x
x→ a x→ a Since the LHL is not equal to RHL, hence Lim f x DNE.
x→ 2

Since the second condition is NOT satisfied, then the function f(x) is not continuous at x = 2.
EXAMPLE 4

Discuss the continuity of the given function at x = – 1 .

x4 − 1
f x =
x+1
EXAMPLE 4
x4 − 1
f x =
x+1
STEP 1
−1 4 − 1 0
Is f a defined? f −1 = =
−1 + 1 0
hence f x is not defined at x = −1.
x4 − 1
Lim
x→ −1 x+1

STEP 2 x − 1 x + 1 x2 + 1
= Lim
x→ −1 x+1
Does the
Lim f x exist? = Lim x − 1 x2 + 1
x→ −1
x→ a
= −1 − 1 −1 2 +1
= −4
hence Lim f x exists.
x→ −1
EXAMPLE 4 x4−1
Since Lim = −4 exists but f(–1)is not defined, then the discontinuity at x= –1 can be
x→ −1 x+1
removed by redefining f(–1) = – 4.

x4 − 1
f x =
x+1
x − 1 x + 1 x2 + 1
f x =
x+1
STEP 3 f x = x − 1 x2 + 1

f −1 = −1 − 1 −1 2+1

f −1 = −4

New Function

x4 − 1
, if x ≠ −1
f x = x+1
−4, if x = −1