Senior High School 11

Basic Calculus
Quarter 3- LAS 3
(Self-Learning Activity Sheet)

Continuity of
Functions
 IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

Learning Area: Mathematics Quarter: 3

Name of Learner: ______________________________________________________________

Grade Level: 11 Subject: Basic- Calculus

School: ________________________________________________________________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION

Week Covered: THIRD WEEK

Learning Competency:

1. Illustrate continuity of a function at a number (STEM_BC11LCIIIc-1).

2. Determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not
(STEM_BC11LCIIIc-2).
3. Illustrate continuity of a function on an interval (STEM_BC11LCIIIc-3); and
4. Solves problems involving continuity of a function (STEM_BC11LCIIId-3).

Objectives: After completing this self-learning activity sheet, you should be able to:

1. illustrate continuity of a function at a point and interval;

2. determine whether a function is continuous at a point or an interval or not;
3. illustrate different types of discontinuity (hole/removable, jump/ essential,
asymptotic/infinite);
4. illustrate the Intermediate Value and Extreme Value Theorems; and
5. solve problems involving the continuity of a function.

Materials: activity notebook, pen or pencil

Content Background:

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

2
 SEE AND BE SEEN

Directions: Study the graph below and answer the questions that follow. Write
your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Guide Questions:
1. What happened to the graph when 𝑥 = −1; 𝑥 = −3 and 𝑥 = −2?
2. Which among of them shows continuity? Which do/does not?

Lesson 3.1: Continuity of Functions at a Point

In your previous discussion, there are functions whose limits are not equal to
the function value at 𝑥 = 𝑐, meaning, lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐

This leads us to the study of continuity functions. In this module, we will be

focusing on the continuity of a function at a specific point.

Once you trace the entire graph of the given function without lifting your pen
or pencil from your sheet of paper, the graph describes a continuous function. Let
us start by graphically illustrating what it means to be continuity at a point.

Consider the graph below:

Let us use the graph to check if the function is

continuous at 𝑥 = 1. Note that one is able to trace
the graph from the left side of the number 𝑥 = 1
going to the right side of 𝑥 = 1, without lifting
one’s pen. Hence, we can say that the function is
continuous at 𝑥 = 1.

3
Let us have another example:
1
Consider the graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = .
𝑥−4

Is the function continuous at 𝑥 = 4?

If we trace the graph from the left of

𝑥 = 4 going to the right of 𝑥 = 4, we have to
lift our pen since at the left of 𝑥 = 4, the
function values will go downward
indefinitely, while at the right of 𝑥 = 4, the
function values will go upward indefinitely.
Thus, the function is discontinuous
at 𝑥 = 4.

Suppose we are not given the graph of a

function but just the function itself. In this case, we have to check three conditions.
Here are the three conditions of continuity.

Example 1. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥3 + 𝑥2 − 2 is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 1.

Solution: We have to check the three conditions for continuity of a function.

4
 𝑥−3
Example 2. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 3.
𝑥 2 +𝑥−12

Solution:

Example 3. Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1 is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 4.

Solution: Let us check the three conditions.

Lesson 3.2: Continuity of a Function on an Interval

A function can be continuous on an interval. A function is said to be continuous

on an interval when the function is defined at every point on that interval and
undergoes no interruptions, jumps, or breaks. If some function 𝑓(𝑥) satisfies these
criteria from 𝑥 = 𝑎 to 𝑥 = 𝑏, for example, we say that 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous on the
interval [𝑎, 𝑏].

Here are the given concepts which are important in determining whether a
function is continuous at the end points of closed intervals.

One- Sided Continuity

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

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

𝑓(𝑐) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥).

𝑥→𝑐

5
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 is continuous on [0, ∞).

Here are some of the graphs of functions to illustrate continuity on an interval.

Example1. Consider the graph of the function 𝑓 given on the side and determine
if the function 𝑓 is continuous on the following intervals.

1. (−2, 2) 2. (−∞, 0) 3. (0, +∞)

Solution:
1. We can trace the graph from the right side of 𝑥 =
−2 to the left side of 𝑥 = 2 without lifting the pen we
are using. We can say that the function 𝑓 is
continuous on the interval (−2, 2).

2. If you trace the graph from negative infinity to the

left side of 0, we will not lift our pen and so, 𝑓 is continuous on (−∞,
0).

3. For the interval (0, +∞), you trace the graph from the right side of 0 to
any large number, and find that you will not lift your pen. Thus, the
function f is continuous on (0, +∞).

1
Example 2. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = . Determine if 𝑓 is continuous on each of the
𝑥−4

following intervals:

1. [−3,2]
2. (0, 4)
3. [0, 5]
4. (5, ∞)
5. (2,7)
6. [−5, 8)

Solution:

1. We can trace the graph from 𝑥 = −3 going to 𝑥 = 2 without lifting the pen.
Thus, the function 𝑓 is continuous on the closed interval [−3,2].

6
 2. We can trace the graph from the right side of 𝑥 = 0 to the left side of
𝑥 = 4 without lifting the pen we are using. We can say that the
function 𝑓 is continuous on the interval (0, 4).
3. By observation, the function 𝑓 is not continuous on the closed
interval [0, 5] because we will lift our pen by tracing the graph.
4. For the open interval (5, ∞), we can trace the graph from the right
side of 5 to any large number without lifting the pen. Thus, the
function 𝑓 is continuous on (5, ∞).
5. The function 𝑓 is not continuous on the open interval (2,7) because
we will lift our pen by tracing the graph.
6. The function 𝑓 is not continuous on the given interval [−5, 8)
because we will lift our pen by tracing the graph.

Lesson 3.3: Problems Involving Continuity

7
8
9
Part 1

Directions: Determine if the given functions 𝑓(𝑥) are continuous or not at the given
value of 𝑥. Show your complete solution. Write your answer on your
activity notebook.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 2𝑥 + 1 at 𝑥 = 2

Answer: __________________

2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 − 16 at 𝑥 = 1

Answer: __________________

1
3. 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−5
𝑎𝑡 𝑥=3

Answer: __________________

Part 2

Directions: Write the correct answer on your notebook. Show the graph and
determine if the given function is continuous on each of the
given intervals.

1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 6; (−∞, 0) ____________

2. ; [1, +∞) ____________

3. 𝑓(𝑥) = − |−5𝑥| [−1, +∞) ____________

Part 3

Directions: Solve for what is asked. Show all pertinent solution/s.

10
 REFLECTIONS

Concepts Learned

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Concepts Unlearned

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES

Canlapan, Raymond B. Basic Calculus. Diwa Learning Systems, Inc., Makati City.
2017

Cuaresma, Genaro A. et al. 2004. Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1: A

Worktext for Math 26. Los Baños, Laguna: Institute of Mathematical
Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines.

Department of Education-Bureau of Learning Resources. 2016. Precalculus

Learner's Material.

Leithold, Louis. 1989. College Algebra and Trigonometry. Addison Wesley Longman
Inc., reprinted by Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd., 2002.

ANSWER KEY

x=-1 and x=-3 shows continuity while x=-2 is not. 2.

shows discontinuity when x=-2.
The graph is continuous when x=-1 and -3. However, it 1.

Elicit

11
 Development Team of the S-LAS

Writer: Ella Mae V. Pasuhil l Tandag National Science High School

Content Editor: Nilda A. Mendiola

Language Editor: Jeanette R. Isidro

Reviewer: Gemma B. Espadero, Jeanette R. Isidro, Marvelous B. Estal

Illustrator: Julien A. Espinoza

Management Team: Imelda N. Sabornido

Segundino A. Madjos Jr.

Jeanette R. Isidro

Gemma B. Espadero

Nilda A. Mendiola

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Tandag City

LEARNING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECTION (LRMS)

Purok Narra, Balilahan, Mabua, Tandag City

Telephone: 214-5548

Email Address: [email protected]

12