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Continuity

The document discusses continuity of functions, noting that continuous functions can be drawn with a single, unbroken pencil stroke and are predictable with no breaks in the graph. It also defines discontinuities as points where a function is not continuous, categorizing discontinuities as either removable holes or non-removable breaks and vertical asymptotes. Examples are provided to illustrate different types of continuous and discontinuous functions.

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29 views

Continuity

The document discusses continuity of functions, noting that continuous functions can be drawn with a single, unbroken pencil stroke and are predictable with no breaks in the graph. It also defines discontinuities as points where a function is not continuous, categorizing discontinuities as either removable holes or non-removable breaks and vertical asymptotes. Examples are provided to illustrate different types of continuous and discontinuous functions.

Uploaded by

kate
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MANTRA:

HE SETS THE LOWLY


ON HIGH; TURNS
GRIEF INTO JOY.
Continuity of a Function
at a point
What makes a function continuous?
 Continuous functions are predictable…

1) No breaks in the graph


A limit must exist at every x-value or the
graph will break.

2) No holes or jumps
The function cannot have undefined
points or vertical asymptotes.
Continuity
 Key Point:
Continuous functions
can be drawn with a
single, unbroken
pencil stroke.
Continuity
 Mathematically speaking…
If f (x) is continuous, then for every x = c
in the function, lim f ( x)  f (c)
x c

 In other words, if you can evaluate any


limit on the function using only the
substitution method, then the function is
continuous.
Continuity of Polynomial and
Rational Functions
 A polynomial function is continuous at
every real number.

 A rational function is continuous at every


real number in its domain.
Polynomial Functions
3 2
f ( x)  x  x f ( x)  x  2 x  3

 Both functions are continuous on (, ) .


Rational Functions
1 x2  1
f ( x)  f ( x) 
x x 1

continuous on: continuous on:


(, 0)  (0, ) (, 1)  (1, )
Rational Functions
1 1
f ( x)  2 f ( x)  2
x 1 x 1

continuous on: continuous on:


(, ) (,  1)  (1, 1)  (1, )
Piecewise Functions
 x 2  4, x  2
f ( x)  
 x  2, x  2

22  4  4  4  0

2  2  0
continuous on
(, )
Discontinuity
 Discontinuity: a point
at which a function is
not continuous
Discontinuity
Types of Discontinuities
1) Removable (hole in the graph)
2) Non-removable (break or vertical
asymptote)
- Jump
- Infinite
A discontinuity is called removable if a function
can be made continuous by defining (or
redefining) a point.
Types of Discontinuities
Discontinuity
 Find the intervals on which these function are
continuous.
x2 Point of discontinuity:
f ( x)  2
x  3x  10 x20 Removable
discontinuity
x2 x  2

( x  2)( x  5) Vertical Asymptote:

1 x5  0 Non-removable
 x5 discontinuity
( x  5)
Discontinuity

x2
f ( x)  2
x  3x  10

Continuous on: (,  2)  (2, 5)  (5, )


Discontinuity

2 x, x  2
f ( x)   2
 x  4 x  1, x  2

lim ( 2 x)  4
x2

lim ( x 2  4 x  1) 3
x 2

Continuous on:
f (2)  4
(, 2]  (2, )
Discontinuity
 Determine the value(s) of x at which the
function is discontinuous. Describe the
discontinuity as removable or non-removable.
x2  1 2
x  10 x  9
(A) f ( x)  2 (B)
f ( x) 
x  5x  6 x 2  81

2 2
x  4x  5 x 4
(C) f ( x)  2
(D) f ( x)  2
x  25 x  2x  8
Discontinuity
2
x 1
(A) f ( x)  2
x  5x  6
( x  1)( x  1)

( x  6)( x  1)

x  1 Removable discontinuity

x6 Non-removable discontinuity


Discontinuity
2
x  10 x  9
(B) f ( x) 
x 2  81
( x  9)( x  1)

( x  9)( x  9)

x  9 Removable discontinuity

x9 Non-removable discontinuity


Discontinuity
2
x  4x  5
(C) f ( x)  2
x  25
( x  5)( x  1)

( x  5)( x  5)

x5 Removable discontinuity

x  5 Non-removable discontinuity
Discontinuity
x2  4
(D)
f ( x)  2
x  2x  8
( x  2)( x  2)

( x  4)( x  2)
x  2 Removable discontinuity

x4 Non-removable discontinuity


Conclusion
 Continuous functions have no breaks, no
holes, and no jumps.

 If you can evaluate any limit on the


function using only the substitution
method, then the function is continuous.
Conclusion
 A discontinuity is a point at which a
function is not continuous.
 Two types of discontinuities
 Removable (hole in the graph)
 Non-removable (break or vertical
asymptote)

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