Week-28

Mathematics for Data Science - 12

Limits, Continuity, Differentiability, and the derivative
Graded Assignment

Note: Numbers may differ for some questions, but solution pattern will be the
same.

1 Multiple Select Questions (MSQ)

1. Match the given functions in Column A with the equations of their tangents at the origin
(0, 0) in column B and the plotted graphs and the tangents in Column C, given in Table
M2W2G1.
 Function It’s tangent at (0,0) Graph
(Column A) (Column B) (Column C)

15

10

−3 −2 −1 1 2 3
−5

−10
x
i) f (x) = x2 a) y = −4x 1) −15

15

10

−3 −2 −1 1 2 3
−5

−10

ii) f (x) = x(x − 2)(x + 2) b) y=x 2) −15

20

15

10

iii) f (x) = −x(x − 2)(x + 2) c) y = 4x 3) −3 −2 −1 1 2 3

Table: M2W2G1

Option 1: ii) → a) → 1.
Option 2: i) → b) → 3.
Option 3: iii) → b) → 1.
Option 4: iii) → c) → 2.
Option 5: i) → a) → 1.

2
Solution:
i) Given f (x) = x2x =⇒ f 0 (x) = 2x + x2x ln 2. So, f (0) = 0 and f 0 (0) = 1.
Hence the equation of the tangent at the origin is

y − 0 = 1.(x − 0) =⇒ y = x.

In Column C, figure 3 has the line y = x and exponential graph.

Hence i) → b) →3).
ii) Given f (x) = x(x − 2)(x + 2) = x3 − 4x =⇒ f 0 (x) = 3x2 − 4.
So, f (0) = 0 and f 0 (0) = −4
Hence the equation of the tangent at the origin is

y − 0 = −4(x − 0) =⇒ y = −4x.

In Column C, figure 1 has the line y = −4x.

Hence ii) → a) →1).
iii) Given f (x) = −x(x − 2)(x + 2) = −x3 + 4x =⇒ f 0 (x) = −3x2 + 4.
So, f (0) = 0 and f 0 (0) = 4
Hence the equation of the tangent at the origin is

y − 0 = 4(x − 0) =⇒ y = 4x

In Column C, figure 2 has the line y = 4x.

Hence iii) → c) →2).

3
2. Consider the following two functions f (x) and g(x).
 3
x −9x
 x(x−3)
 if x 6= 0, 3
f (x) = 3 if x = 0

0 if x = 3

(
|x| if x ≤ 2
g(x) =
bxc if x > 2
Choose the set of correct options.
Option 1: f (x) is discontinuous at both x = 0 and x = 3.
Option 2: f (x) is discontinuous only at x = 0.
Option 3: f (x) is discontinuous only at x = 3.
Option 4: g(x) is discontinuous at x = 2.
Option 5: g(x) is discontinuous at x = 3.
Solution:
(Options 1,2,3)
Given  3
x −9x
 x(x−3)
 if x 6= 0, 3
f (x) = 3 if x = 0

0 if x = 3


x3 −9x x(x−3)(x+3)
Now, lim f (x) = lim = lim = lim x + 3 = 3 = f (0).
x→0 x→0 x(x−3) x→0 x(x−3) x→0
So f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
x3 −9x x(x−3)(x+3)
Similarly, lim f (x) = lim x(x−3) = lim x(x−3)
= lim x + 3 = 6 6= f (3).
x→3 x→3 x→3 x→3
So f (x) is not continuous at x = 3.
x3 −9x
Also observe that f (x) = x(x−3) if x 6= 0, 3, is continuous at all points except at x = 3.
Hence f (x) is discontinuous only at x = 3.
(Option 5)

Given (
|x| if x ≤ 2
g(x) =
bxc if x > 2
Observe that, as x > 2, g(x) = bxc. And lim+ g(x) = 3 6= 2 = lim− g(x), i.e, lim g(x)
x→3 x→3 x→3
does not exist.
Hence g(x) is discontinuous at x = 3.
(Option 4)
Observe that lim+ g(x) = lim+ bxc = 2
x→2 x→2
and lim− g(x) = lim− |x| = 2.
x→2 x→2

4
Hence, lim+ g(x) = 2 = lim− g(x)
x→2 x→2
i.e., lim g(x) = 2 = g(2).
x→2
So g(x) is continuous at x = 2.

5
3. Consider the graphs given below:

1
150
0.5
100

−4 −2 2 4
50
−0.5

−1 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3

Figure: Curve 1 Figure: Curve 2

25

20 15

15
10
10
5
5

−4 −2 2 4 1 2 3 4 5

Figure: Curve 3 Figure: Curve 4

Choose the set of correct options.

Option 1: Curve 1 is both continuous and differentiable at the origin.
Option 2: Curve 2 is continuous but not differentiable at the origin.
Option 3: Curve 2 has derivative 0 at x = 0.
Option 4: Curve 3 is continuous but not differentiable at the origin.
Option 5: Curve 4 is not differentiable anywhere.
Option 6: Curve 4 has derivative 0 at x = 0.

6
Solution:
Option 1: Observe that if x approaches 0 from the left or from the right the value of
the function represented by Curve 1 approaches 0. So, the limit of the function exists
at x = 0 which is 0. Since f (0) = 0, the function represented by Curve 1 is continuous
at x = 0.
We can draw a unique tangent to Curve 1 at the origin as shown in Figure M2W2GS (
also observe that at x = 0, the graph has no sharp corner).
Hence function is differentiable at x = 0.

0.5

−4 −2 2 4

−0.5

−1

Figure M2W2GS

Options 2, 3: Observe that there is a unique tangent to the curve at the origin which
is the X−axis itself and we know that slope of the X−axis is zero. Hence the function
represented by Curve 2 is differentiable at x = 0 with derivative 0.
And we know that a differentiable function is continuous.
Hence function represented by Curve 2 is continuous at the origin.

Option 4: Observe that there is a sharp corner on Curve 3 at the origin. So function
represented by Curve 3 is not differentiable at the origin.
But if x approaches 0 from the left or from the right the value of the function represented
by Curve 3 approaches 0. So, the limit of the function exists at x = 0 which is 0. Since
the value of the function f (x) is 0 at x = 0, the function represented by Curve 3 is
continuous at x = 0.
Option 6: If the derivative of the function represented by Curve 4 is 0 at the origin
then at the origin the slope of of the tangent must be 0 i.e., the tangent must be parallel
to the X−axis. For Curve 4, the tangent (if exists) at the origin can never be parallel
to the X−axis. Hence this statement is not true.

Option 5: Observe that at x = 1, there does not exist any sharp corner and at that

7
point, there exists a unique tangent (which is not vertical).
Hence the function represented by Curve 4 is differentiable at x = 1.
Hence option 5 is not true.

8
4. Choose the set of correct options considering the function given below:
(
sin x
x
if x 6= 0,
f (x) =
1 if x = 0

Option 1: f (x) is not continuous at x = 0.

Option 2: f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
Option 3: f (x) is not differentiable at x = 0.
Option 4: f (x) is differentiable at x = 0.
Option 5: The derivative of f (x) at x = 0 (if exists) is 0.
Option 6: The derivative of f (x) at x = 0 (if exists) is 1.
Solution:
We know that lim sinx x = 1 = f (0). So f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
x→0
Hence option 2 is true.
sin h
−1
Now, lim f (0+h)−f
h
(0)
= lim f (h)−1
h
= lim h
h
= lim sinhh−h
2 = lim cos2h
h−1
= lim − sin h
2
=0
h→0 h→0 h→0 h→0 h→0 h→0
(using L’Hopital’s rule twice).
Hence the derivative of f (x) at x = 0 is 0.
So options 4 and 5 are true.

9
5. Let f be a polynomial of degree 5, which is given by

f (x) = a5 x5 + a4 x4 + a3 x3 + a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 .

Let f 0 (b) denote the derivative of f at x = b. Choose the set of correct options.
Option 1: a1 = f 0 (0)
Option 2: 5a5 + 3a3 = 21 (f 0 (1) + f 0 (−1) − 2f 0 (0))
Option 3: 4a4 + 2a2 = 21 (f 0 (1) − f 0 (−1))
Option 4: None of the above.
Solution:
Given f (x) = a5 x5 + a4 x4 + a3 x3 + a2 x2 + a1 x + a0 =⇒ f 0 (x) = 5a5 x4 + 4a4 x3 + 3a3 x2 +
2a2 x + a1
So f 0 (0) = a1 , f 0 (1) = 5a5 + 4a4 + 3a3 + 2a2 + a1 , and f 0 (−1) = 5a5 − 4a4 + 3a3 − 2a2 + a1
Hence 5a5 + 3a3 = 12 (f 0 (1) + f 0 (−1) − 2f 0 (0)) and 4a4 + 2a2 = 12 (f 0 (1) − f 0 (−1))

10
 2 Numerical Answer Type (NAT)
6. Let f be a differentiable function at x = 3. The tangent line to the graph of the function
f at the point (3, 0), passes through the point (5, 4). What will be the value of f 0 (3)?
[Answer: 2]
−y1
Solution: Slope of the line passing through two points (x1 , y1 ) and (x2 , y2 ) is xy22 −x1
.
4−0
So slope of the tangent at x = 3 is 5−3 = 2.
Since derivative of a function at a point equals the slope of the tangent at that point.
Hence f 0 (3) = 2

11
7. Let f and g be two functions which are differentiable at each x ∈ R. Suppose that,
f (x) = g(x2 + 5x), and f 0 (0) = 10. Find the value of g 0 (0). [Answer: 2]
Solution:
Given f (x) = g(x2 + 5x) =⇒ f 0 (x) = g 0 (x2 + 5x)(2x + 5)
So f 0 (0) = 5g 0 (0) =⇒ g 0 (0) = 10
5
=2

12
 3 Comprehension Type Questions:

The population of a bacteria culture of type A in laboratory conditions is known to be a

function of time of the form
p:R→R
3
t −27
 t−3
 if 0 ≤ t < 3,
p(t) = 27 t=3
 1
 27t 81
e81 (t−3)
(e − e ) if t > 3
where p(t) represents the population (in lakhs) and t represents the time (in minutes).
The population of a bacteria culture of type B in laboratory conditions is known to be a
function of time of the form
q:R→R
 1
(5t − 9) t−2 if 0 ≤ t < 2,

q(t) = e4 t=2
 et+2 −e4

t−2
if t > 2
where q(t) represents the population (in lakhs) and t represents the time (in minutes).
Using the above information, answer the following questions .

8. Consider the following statements (a function is said to be continuous if it is continuous

at all the points in the domain of the function). (MCQ)

• Statement P: Both the functions p(t) and q(t) are continuous.

• Statement Q: p(t) is continuous, but q(t) is not.
• Statement R: q(t) is continuous, but p(t) is not.
• Statement S: Neither p(t) nor q(t) is continuous.

Find the number of the correct statements. [Ans: 1]

Solution:
Given 3
t −27
 t−3
 if 0 ≤ t < 3,
p(t) = 27 t=3
 1
 27t 81
e81 (t−3)
(e − e ) if t > 3
and  1
(5t − 9) t−2
 if 0 ≤ t < 2,
q(t) = e4 t=2
 et+2 −e4

t−2
if t > 2
It is enough to check the continuty of p(t) at t = 3 and of q(t) at t = 2.

13
 1 27e27t
So right limit, lim+ p(t) = lim+ e81 (t−3)
(e27t − e81 ) = lim+ e81
= 27 (Using L’Hopital’s
t→3 t→3 t→3
rule).
t3 −27
Left limit, lim− p(t) = lim− t−3
= lim− 3t2 = 27
t→3 t→3 t→3
Hence, lim− p(t) = lim+ p(t) = 27 = p(3).
t→3 t→3
So p(t) is continuous at x = 3.

et+2 −e4
Now right limit, lim+ q(t) = lim+ t−2
= lim+ et+2 = e4 (using L’Hopital’s rule).
t→2 t→2 t→2
1
Left limit, lim− q(t) = lim− (5t − 9) t−2 , to get the left limit,
t→2 t→2
1
let y = (5t − 9) . t−2

Taking log with base e on both sides and t > 59 ,

we get, ln y = ln (5t−9)
t−2
=⇒ lim− ln y = lim− ln (5t−9)
t−2
= lim− 5
5t−9
= 5 (using L’Hopital’s
t→2 t→2 t→2
rule)
Hence, lim− ln y = 5 =⇒ lim− y = e5 .
t→2 t→2
1
5
So lim− (5t − 9) t−2 =e .
t→2
Since lim+ q(t) 6= lim− q(t) i.e., lim q(t) does not exists, q(t) is not continuous at t = 2.
t→2 t→2 t→2

14
9. If Lp (t) = At + B denotes the best linear approximation of the function p(t) at the point
t = 1, then find the value of 2A + B. [Ans: 18]
Solution:
3 −27
p(t) = t t−3 if 0 ≤ t < 3 =⇒ p(1) = 13
2 3
)−(t −27)
p0 (t) = (t−3)(3t
(t−3)2
=⇒ p0 (1) = 5.
Therefore the best linear approximation Lp (t) of the function p(t) at the point t = 1 is
Lp (t) = p(1) + p0 (1)(t − 1) = 13 + 5(t − 1) = 5t + 8.
Observe that A = 5, B = 8,
So 2A + B = 18.

15
10. If Lp (t) = e4 (At + B) + Ce5 denotes the best linear approximation of the function q(t)
at the point t = 3, then find the value of A + B + C. [Ans: -2]
Solution:
t+2 −e4
q(t) = e t−2 if t > 2 =⇒ q(3) = e5 − e4
t+2 t+2
−(e 4−e )
q 0 (t) = (t−2)e (t−2) 2 =⇒ q(3) = e4
Therefore the best linear approximation Lq (t) of the function q(t) at the point t = 3 is
Lq (t) = q(3) + q 0 (3)(t − 3) = e5 − e4 + e4 (t − 3) = e4 t + e5 − 4e4 = e4 (t − 4) + e5 .
Observe that A = 1, B = −4, C = 1,
So A + B + C = −2.

16
11. Consider a function f : R → R defined as
(
sin 14x+A sin x
19x3
if x 6= 0,
f (x) =
B if x = 0.

If f (x) is continuous at x = 0, then find the value of 114B − A. [Ans: −2716]

Solution:
Given that the function is continuous that at x = 0 =⇒ lim f (x) = f (0) = B.
x→0
sin 14x+A sin x 14 cos 14x+A cos x
lim f (x) = lim 19x 3 = lim 57x 2 (using L’Hopital’s rule)
x→0 x→0 x→0
14 cos 14x+A cos x
Observe that lim 57x2
0 and (57x2 ) → 0 as
exist, if (14 cos 14x + A cos x) →
x→0
x→0
Now, 14 cos 14x + A cos x → 0 as x → 0 =⇒ 14 + A = 0 =⇒ A = −14

14 cos 14x+A cos x 14 cos 14x−14 cos x −196 sin 14x+14 sin x
So lim 57x2
= lim 57x2
= lim 114x
(using L’Hopital’s
x→0 x→0 x→0
rule)
−196 sin 14x+14 sin x −2744 cos 14x+14 cos x −2744+14 −2730
Now, lim 114x
= lim 114
= 114
= 114
(using L’Hopital’s
x→0 x→0
rule)
So B = −2730
114
Hence 114B − A = −2716.

17
12. The distance (in meters) traveled by a car after t minutes is given by the function
d(t) = g(4t3 + 2t2 + 5t + 2), where g is a differentiable function with domain R. Find
the instantaneous speed of the car after 5 min, where g 0 (577) = 2. [Ans: 650]
Solution:
The instantaneous speed of the car after t min = d0 (t) = g 0 (4t3 +2t2 +5t+2)(12t2 +4t+5).
(use derivative property of composition of two functions)
So the instantaneous speed of the car after 5 min = g 0 (577) × 325 = 2 × 325 = 650

18
13. Consider the following two functions

p:R→R
 (t−2)
2e −2
 t−2
 if 0 ≤ t < 2,
p(t) = 2 t=2

 2 1
2(t − 4) ln (t−2) if t > 2
and
q:R→R
q(t) = |t(t − 7)(t − 8)|

and the following statements (a function is said to be continuous (respectively differen-

tiable) if it is continuous (respectively differentiable) at all the points in the domain of
the function).

• Statement P: Both the functions p(t) and q(t) are continuous.

• Statement Q: Both the functions p(t) and q(t) are not differentiable.
• Statement R: p(t) is continuous, q(t) is differentiable.
• Statement S: q(t) is continuous, p(t) is not differentiable.
• Statement T: Neither p(t) nor q(t) is continuous.
Find the number of correct statements. [Ans : 2]
Solution:
1 1
Right limit of p(t) at 2, lim+ p(t) = lim+ 2(t2 − 4) ln (t−2) = 2 lim+ (t2 − 4) ln (t−2)
t→2 t→2 t→2
1
Let y = (t2 − 4) ln (t−2)

taking ln both sides,

1
ln y = ln (t2 − 4) ln(t−2)
ln (t2 −4) 2t(t−2)
Now, lim+ ln y = lim+ ln(t−2)
= lim+ (t+2)(t−2)
= 1 (using L’Hopital’s rule)
t→2 t→2 t→2
So as t → 2+ , y → e1
1
hence lim+ p(t) = lim+ 2(t2 − 4) ln (t−2) = 2e1 = 2e 6= 2 = p(2)
t→2 t→2
So function p(t) is not continuous and so p(t) is not differentiable.

Now, consider the function q(t),



 −t(t − 7)(t − 8) if t < 0,

t(t − 7)(t − 8) if 0 ≤ t < 7,
q(t) = |t(t − 7)(t − 8)| =


 −t(t − 7)(t − 8) if 7 ≤ t < 8,
t(t − 7)(t − 8) t ≥ 8,

if

19
So discontinuity can be possible at x = 0, 7, 8 but
observe that lim− q(t) = lim+ q(t) = q(0),
t→0 t→0
lim− q(t) = lim+ q(t) = q(7)
t→7 t→7
and lim− q(t) = lim+ q(t) = q(8).
t→8 t→8
Hence q(t) is continuous.

For differentiabilty of q(t),

observe that left derivative,
−(−h)(−h−7)(−h−8)−0
lim− q(0+h)−q(0)
h
= lim+ q(−h)−0
−h
= lim+ −h
= −56
h→0 h→0 h→0
and right derivative
q(0+h)−q(0) q(h)−0 h(h−7)(h−8)−0
lim h
= lim+ h
= lim+ h
= 56.
h→0+ h→0 h→0
So, Left derivative 6= Right derivative.
Hence q(t) is not differentiable.

20
14. Consider the following function
p:R→R
 (t−2)
2e −2
 t−2
 if 0 ≤ t < 2,
p(t) = 2 t=2

 2 1
2(t − 4) ln (t−2) if t > 2

If linear function Lp (t) = At + B denotes the best linear approximation of the function
−2
p(t) at the point t = 1, find the value of e−1 −1
(A + B). [Ans: 4]
Solution:
(t−2)
Observe that p(t) = 2e t−2 −2 if 0 ≤ t < 2.
Linear approximation of the p(t) at t = 1 is Lp (t) = p0 (1)(t−1)+p(1) = p0 (1)t−p0 (1)+p(1)
So here A = p0 (1), B = −p0 (1) + p(1).
Therefore A + B = p(1)
−2 −2
Hence e−1 −1
(A + B)= e−1 −1
p(1) = 4

21
15. Consider the following function
q:R→R
q(t) = |t(t − 7)(t − 8)|.
If m is slope of the tangent of the function q(t) at point t = 32 , find the value m − 27
4
.
[Ans: 11]
Solution:
From question 13, observe that q(t) = t(t − 7)(t − 8) = t3 − 15t2 + 56t if 0 ≤ t < 7.
So q 0 (t) = 3t2 − 30t + 56 =⇒ q 0 ( 23 ) = 27
4
− 45 + 56 = 27
4
− 11.
Now, slope of the tangent of the function q(t) at point t = 23 is q 0 ( 23 ).
Hence m = q 0 ( 32 ).
So m − 27 4
= 11

22