Continuity of a Function

(MAT060 - Calculus with Analytics Geometry 1)

1st Semester, 2022-2023

HAJAR WARDAH M. BENT-USMAN, PhD

Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
[email protected]
Continuity of a Function

In this section, graphically, we consider a function to be continuous if we can

“connect points with a smooth curve"- a phrase giving an image of a graph that
is a nice continuous curve, or in other words, a curve with no breaks, gap or
holes in it. Indeed, a continuous function is often described as one whose graph
can be drawn without lifting pencil from paper.
Continuity of a Function

In this section, graphically, we consider a function to be continuous if we can

“connect points with a smooth curve"- a phrase giving an image of a graph that
is a nice continuous curve, or in other words, a curve with no breaks, gap or
holes in it. Indeed, a continuous function is often described as one whose graph
can be drawn without lifting pencil from paper.
Definition. The function f is said to be continuous at the number a if the
following three conditions are satisfied;
(i) f (a) is defined;
Definition. The function f is said to be continuous at the number a if the
following three conditions are satisfied;
(i) f (a) is defined;
(ii) lim f (x ) exists;
x →a
Definition. The function f is said to be continuous at the number a if the
following three conditions are satisfied;
(i) f (a) is defined;
(ii) lim f (x ) exists;
x →a
(iii) lim f (x ) = f (a).
x →a
Definition. The function f is said to be continuous at the number a if the
following three conditions are satisfied;
(i) f (a) is defined;
(ii) lim f (x ) exists;
x →a
(iii) lim f (x ) = f (a).
x →a

When one of the continuity conditions fails to hold, we say that f is not
continuous at x = a or f is discontinuous at x = a.
Definition. The function f is said to be continuous at the number a if the
following three conditions are satisfied;
(i) f (a) is defined;
(ii) lim f (x ) exists;
x →a
(iii) lim f (x ) = f (a).
x →a

When one of the continuity conditions fails to hold, we say that f is not
continuous at x = a or f is discontinuous at x = a.
Graphically, there is a gap or break in the graph of the function f when it is
not continuous.
Example. Determine if the given function f is continuous or discontinuous at
x = a.

1. f (x ) = 2x + 5 at x = −3.
Example. Determine if the given function f is continuous or discontinuous at
x = a.

1. f (x ) = 2x + 5 at x = −3.
Solution:
(i) Note that f (−3) = −1. Thus, f (−3) is defined.
Example. Determine if the given function f is continuous or discontinuous at
x = a.

1. f (x ) = 2x + 5 at x = −3.
Solution:
(i) Note that f (−3) = −1. Thus, f (−3) is defined.
(i) lim f (x ) = lim (2x + 5) = 2(−3) + 5 = −1.
x →−3 x →−3
Thus, lim f (x ) exists.
x →−3
Example. Determine if the given function f is continuous or discontinuous at
x = a.

1. f (x ) = 2x + 5 at x = −3.
Solution:
(i) Note that f (−3) = −1. Thus, f (−3) is defined.
(i) lim f (x ) = lim (2x + 5) = 2(−3) + 5 = −1.
x →−3 x →−3
Thus, lim f (x ) exists.
x →−3
(iii) lim f (x ) = −1 = f (−3). Thus, condition (3) holds.
x →−3
Since the three conditions of continuity are satisfied, f (x ) is continuous at
x = −3.
 
1 + x, if x ≤ 2
2. F (x ) = at x = 2.
2 − x, if x > 2
 
1 + x, if x ≤ 2
2. F (x ) = at x = 2.
2 − x, if x > 2
Solution:
(i) Note that F (2) = 1 + 2 = 3. Thus, F (2) is defined.
 
1 + x, if x ≤ 2
2. F (x ) = at x = 2.
2 − x, if x > 2
Solution:
(i) Note that F (2) = 1 + 2 = 3. Thus, F (2) is defined.
(ii) Since the domain is cut at x = 2, we use one-sided limit:
 
1 + x, if x ≤ 2
2. F (x ) = at x = 2.
2 − x, if x > 2
Solution:
(i) Note that F (2) = 1 + 2 = 3. Thus, F (2) is defined.
(ii) Since the domain is cut at x = 2, we use one-sided limit:

lim F (x ) = lim (1 + x ) = 1 + 2 = 3;
x → 2− x →2−
lim F (x ) = lim+ (2 − x ) = 2 − 2 = 0.
x →2+ x →2
 
1 + x, if x ≤ 2
2. F (x ) = at x = 2.
2 − x, if x > 2
Solution:
(i) Note that F (2) = 1 + 2 = 3. Thus, F (2) is defined.
(ii) Since the domain is cut at x = 2, we use one-sided limit:

lim F (x ) = lim (1 + x ) = 1 + 2 = 3;
x → 2− x →2−
lim F (x ) = lim+ (2 − x ) = 2 − 2 = 0.
x →2+ x →2

Since lim F (x ) 6= lim+ F (x ), it follows that lim F (x ) does not exist. Thus,
x →2− x →2 x →2
F (x ) is discontinuous at x = 2.
 √
x +1−1
3. G (x ) = at x = 0.
x
 √
x +1−1
3. G (x ) = at x = 0.
x
Solution: The function G (x ) is not continuous at x = 0 since G (0) is not
defined at this point.
 √
x +1−1
3. G (x ) = at x = 0.
x
Solution: The function G (x ) is not continuous at x = 0 since G (0) is not
defined at this point.
A discontinuity is said to be an essential discontinuity, if condition (2) fails to
hold, that is, lim f (x ) does not exist.
x →a
A discontinuity is said to be an essential discontinuity, if condition (2) fails to
hold, that is, lim f (x ) does not exist.
x →a

A discontinuity is said to be a removable discontinuity, if condition/s (1) and/or

(3) fail/s to hold, that is, f (a) is not defined and/or lim f (x ) 6= f (a).
x →a
A discontinuity is said to be an essential discontinuity, if condition (2) fails to
hold, that is, lim f (x ) does not exist.
x →a

A discontinuity is said to be a removable discontinuity, if condition/s (1) and/or

(3) fail/s to hold, that is, f (a) is not defined and/or lim f (x ) 6= f (a).
x →a

In the immediately preceding examples, the discontinuity in example (2) is

essential whereas the discontinuity of example (3) is removable.
A discontinuity is said to be an essential discontinuity, if condition (2) fails to
hold, that is, lim f (x ) does not exist.
x →a

A discontinuity is said to be a removable discontinuity, if condition/s (1) and/or

(3) fail/s to hold, that is, f (a) is not defined and/or lim f (x ) 6= f (a).
x →a

In the immediately preceding examples, the discontinuity in example (2) is

essential whereas the discontinuity of example (3) is removable.
If a function f has a removable discontinuity, then f may be redefined to make it
a continuous function.
Example. Determine if the function is continuous at x = a. If discontinuous,
determine if the discontinuity is essential or removable. If the discontinuity is
removable redefine the function to have a continuous function.
 1−x
1. F (x ) = at x = 1.
|x − 1|
 1−x
1. F (x ) = at x = 1.
|x − 1|
Solution: Since F (1) is not defined at x = 1, F (x ) is discontinuous at x = 1
and it is a removal discontinuity. To have an idea of how to redefine the
function, we find first lim F (x ).
x →1
 1−x
1. F (x ) = at x = 1.
|x − 1|
Solution: Since F (1) is not defined at x = 1, F (x ) is discontinuous at x = 1
and it is a removal discontinuity. To have an idea of how to redefine the
function, we find first lim F (x ).
x →1
1−x
Now, lim+ F (x ) = lim+ = −1,
x →1 x →1 x −1
 1−x
1. F (x ) = at x = 1.
|x − 1|
Solution: Since F (1) is not defined at x = 1, F (x ) is discontinuous at x = 1
and it is a removal discontinuity. To have an idea of how to redefine the
function, we find first lim F (x ).
x →1
1−x
Now, lim+ F (x ) = lim+ = −1,
x →1 x →1 x − 1
1−x
and lim F (x ) = lim+ = 1,
x →1− x →1 1 − x

which implies lim F (x ) does not exist. Hence, condition (ii) fails and the
x →1
discontinuity is also essential. Thus, we cannot redefine the function to make
it continuous.
 4x + 4
2. H (x ) = at x = −1.
x2 − 1
 4x + 4
2. H (x ) = at x = −1.
x2 − 1
Solution: Since H (−1) is not defined, H (x ) is discontinuous. Again, we find
lim H (x ) to be able to redefine the function. Now, direct substitution
x →−1
0
yields . So, by factoring, we get
0
 4x + 4
2. H (x ) = at x = −1.
x2 − 1
Solution: Since H (−1) is not defined, H (x ) is discontinuous. Again, we find
lim H (x ) to be able to redefine the function. Now, direct substitution
x →−1
0
yields . So, by factoring, we get
0
4(x + 1) 4
lim H (x ) = lim = lim = −2.
x →−1 x →−1 (x + 1)(x − 1) x →−1 x − 1
 4x + 4
2. H (x ) = at x = −1.
x2 − 1
Solution: Since H (−1) is not defined, H (x ) is discontinuous. Again, we find
lim H (x ) to be able to redefine the function. Now, direct substitution
x →−1
0
yields . So, by factoring, we get
0
4(x + 1) 4
lim H (x ) = lim = lim = −2.
x →−1 x →−1 (x + 1)(x − 1) x →−1 x −1

−2, if x = −1
Thus, we redefine H (x ) as follows: h(x ) = 4x + 4 .
 2 , if x 6= −1
x −1
 
3x + 5, if x ≤ −2
3. f (x ) = at x = −2
2x 2 − 9, if x > −2
(Left as an exercise. Please solve.)

1 − 2x , if x ≤ −2
4. F (x ) = x = −2
3 − x , if x > −2
(Left as an exercise. Please solve.)
Remark. If f and g are two functions which are continuous at x = a, then the
following funcions are also continuous at x = a.
1. Scalar Multiple rf for any constant r
Remark. If f and g are two functions which are continuous at x = a, then the
following funcions are also continuous at x = a.
1. Scalar Multiple rf for any constant r
2. Sum and difference f + g and f − g
Remark. If f and g are two functions which are continuous at x = a, then the
following funcions are also continuous at x = a.
1. Scalar Multiple rf for any constant r
2. Sum and difference f + g and f − g
3. Product fg
Remark. If f and g are two functions which are continuous at x = a, then the
following funcions are also continuous at x = a.
1. Scalar Multiple rf for any constant r
2. Sum and difference f + g and f − g
3. Product fg
f
4. Quotient , provided g (a) 6= 0
g
Remark. If f and g are two functions which are continuous at x = a, then the
following funcions are also continuous at x = a.
1. Scalar Multiple rf for any constant r
2. Sum and difference f + g and f − g
3. Product fg
f
4. Quotient , provided g (a) 6= 0
g
5. Composition f ◦ g provided g is continuous at a and f is continuous at g (a).
Exercise. In each of the following functions, determine if it is continuous or not
at a given x = a. If it is not continuous, determine if the discontinuity is
essential or removable. If the discontinuity is removable, redefine the function to
have a continuous
 function.
x − 2, x ≤3
1. f (x ) = 2 x =3
−x + 8x − 14, x > 3
x2 − x − 2
2. h(x ) = , x =2
x −2
1
3. g (x ) = , x = −1
x +1
 ASSESSMENT TEST

NAME: SIGNATURE:
SECTION: DATE:
SCORE:
1. Find thevalues of the constants a and b for the function
 ax + 3, if x ≤ 5
f (x ) = 8, if x = 5 to be continuous for all x.
 2
x + bx + 1 if x > 5
2. Test the continuity of each of the following functions at x = a. If the
given the function is not continuous at x = a, explain.
x 2 +2x −3

x −1
, if x 6= 1
2.1 At x = 1, f (x ) =
4, if x = 1
π
2.2 g (x ) = 2 sin x − tan x at x = 2