Continuity

* Continuity of function at a point : * Examples of Continuous Functions :

a) The function f(x) is continuous at x = a if Ifa function is continuous on its maximum
i)f(a) exists ii) lim f (x) exists possible domain, then it is continuous on
x a any non – empty subset of this domain.
iii) lim f (x) = f (x) The set R of all real numbers is the maximum
x a
possible domain for the following functions :
b) The function f(x) is continuous at x = a if ,
i) a constant function ii) the identity function
lim f(x)= lim f(x)
→ → iii) the absolute value (modulus) function
Roughly speaking, the function y=f(x) is iv) power function, which is f (x)  x n , x  R and
continuous at x = a if graph of y = f(x) has no
n is a non– negative integer ;
break or gap at the point x = a
v) a polynomial function, which is
f (x)  a 0  a1x  a 2 x 2  ...  a n x n ; where
a 0 ,a1 ,a 2 ,....,a n  R,a n  0 and
n is anon– negative integer
vi) sine and cosine functions
vii) exponential function
All the above functions are continuous on R. Here
we also say that they are continuous everywhere.
* Continuous function :
e.g. f (x)  x  2, for 1  x  2 * Rational Function :
Let f(x) and g(x) be two polynomials. Then the
 x 2 , for 2  x  3. f (x)
The graph of function is function given by R(x)  is called a rational
g  x
x 1 1.5 2 2.1 2.5 3 function.
f (x) 3 3.5 4 4.41 6.25 9 Its domain is the set R of all real number except
those x, for which g(x) = 0. We may write this as
R   x  R, g(x)  0 .This is the maximum
possible domain of the rational function R(x).
x2  x  5
e.g. f (x) 
 x  2  x  3
is continuous for all x except at x= –2 and x=3
for which denominator becomes zero.

* Tangent and Secant Function :

We know that the tangent and secant of an angle
of measure which is an odd multiple of  / 2 , is
* Discontinuous function : not defined. Hence these functions are
e.g. discontinuous at all odd integral multiples of π/2
f (x)  1, for 1  x  2 
 2, for 2  x  3 i.e. at x   2n  1 , n  I .
2
The graph of function is
* Cotangent and Cosecant Functions :
We know that the cotangent and cosecant of an
angle of measure which is an integral multiple of
π, is not defined. Hence these functions are
discontinuous at all integral multiples of π i.e. at
x  n, n  I .

Continuity – 2024 Page - 1

* Logarithmic Function : ii) Irremovable or Jump Discontinuity :
We know that logarithms of positive real numbers If Lim f (x)  Lim f (x) then the discontinuity is
x a x a
only are defined. Hence the domain of the log
+
function is the set R i.e. all positive real numbers. called as irremovable discontinuity.
The logarithmic function is continuous on R+. Here it is not possible to redefine the function.
e.g. f  x   x  2, x  4
* Properties of Continuous Functions : = x + 4, x > 4
We have to use the following results without Here, lim f  x   lim f  x 
x 4 x 4
proof:
1) If the functions f and g are continuous at a =6
point x =c of their common domain, then the lim f  x   lim  x  4
x  4 x4
functions =8
f + g, f – g, f .g, kf, where k is a constant are as lim f  x   lim f  x 
also continuous at x = c. x4 x4

2) If the functions f and g are continuous at x = c, ∴ function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 4

f This function cannot be redefined.
then the quotient function is continuous at ∴ It is called as irremovable discontinuity.
g
x=c, provided g(c)  0 .
* Infinite Discontinuity :
3) Let f : A  B and g : B  C , then the A function f is said to have an infinite
composite of f and g, denoted by gof is discontinuity at x=a if lim f (x)    or
defined as gof : A  C x a

such that (gof) (x) = g (f (x)), for all x  A . lim f (x)   .

x a 
If f is continuous at x = c and g is continuous 1
at f(c), then the composite function gof is e.g. f (x)  has infinite discontinuity at x = 0
x
continuous at x = c.
1 1
because lim  , lim   .
x 0 x x 0 x
* Types of Discontinuity :
i) Removable Discontinuity :
If lim f (x)  f (a) then the discontinuity is * Continuity over an Interval :
xa i) A function f is said to be continuous in an open
called as removable discontinuity at x=a. interval (a, b), if it continuous at every
This discontinuity can be removed by c  a, b ,
redefining the function. i.e., at every real number c between a and b.
x2  4
e.g. f  x   , x2 ii) A function f is said to be continuous in an
x2 closed interval [a,b], if
= 5, x=2 a) f is continuous on the open interval (a, b),
x 4
2 i.e. at every real number c between a and b.
Here, lim f  x   lim b) lim f (x)  f (a) ,i.e. f is continuous to the
x2 x2 x  2
x a
 lim  x  2 right of a.
x2
c) lim f (x)  f (b) i.e. f is continuous to the left
=4 
x b

f(2) = 5 ........ given of b.

As lim f  x   f  2 
x2
* The Intermediate value theorem for continuous
∴ function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 2 functions :
This discontinuity can be removed by f is continuous function on a closed interval [a, b].
redefining the function as If y0 is any value between f(a) and f(b), then
x2  4 there exists c  a,b  such that f  c  y0 .
f  x  ,x  2
x2
= 4, x=2 * Geometrical Interpretation :
Now, f(x) becomes continuous at x = 2 Consider the graph of the function. f is continuous
x2  4 on [a, b], i.e. we can draw the graph of the
f (x)  , for x  2
x2 function between x = a and x = b.
= 4, for x = 2 The theorem states that any horizontal line y  y0
Continuity – 2024 Page - 2
 crossing the Y–axis between f(a) and f(b) will ∴ lim f (x) does not exist
x 2
cross the curve y = f(x) at least once at x = c over
∴ f is discontinuous at x = – 2
the interval[a, b], i.e. c  a,b  . Similarly, f is discontinuous at other integral values
of x
i.e., at –1, 0, 1.
In intervals (–2, –1), (–1, 0),(0,1), (1,2) function is
a constant function
∴ f is continuous in (–2, –1), (–1, 0), (0,1), (1,2).
Hence, f is discontinuous at x = –2, –1, 0, 1.
5) Discuss the continuity of the function
f (x)  x  3 at x = 3.
6) Discuss the continuity of the function
* Examples : f (x)  2x  3 , at x = –3/2.
1) Examine the continuity of Solution :
i) f (x)  x  2x  x  2 at x = –2.
3 2
f (x)  2x  3 , .....given.
x  18x  19
2
3
ii) f (x)  , for x  1 Value of function becomes zero at x   .
x 1 2
 20 for x  1, at x  1 ∴ function can be defined as
x2  9 3
iii) f (x)  , for x  3 f(x) = 2x + 3, if x  
x 3 2
= 8, for x = 3 at x = 3 3
   2x  3 , if x  
2) Examine whether the function is continuous at 2
the points indicated against them. lim  f  x   lim   2x  3
  3 x3/2 
x  
i) f (x) = sin x, for x   2
4
   3 
  2    3 = 0 .......(i)
= cos x, for x  , at x  .  2 
4 4
ii) f (x)  x 3  2x  1, if x  2 lim  f  x   lim  2x  3
 3 x 3/2
x  
 3x  2, if x  2, at x  2  2 

x  3
iii) f (x)   2, for x < 0  2     3  0 .....(ii)
tan 3x  2
7  3
 , for x ≥ 0, at x = 0 Also f     0 ......(iii)
3  2
3) Show that the function f(x) = [x] is not From (i), (ii) and (iii)
continuous at x = 0, 1 in the interval [–1, 2).  3
4) Find all the points of discontinuities f(x) = [x] lim  f  x   lim  f  x   f   
 3  3  2
of on the interval (–3, 2). x   
 2
x   
 2
Solution :f(x) = [x], x∈ (–3, 2) 3
i.e. f (x)  3 for x  3, 2 ∴ f is continuous at x   .
2
 2 for x  2, 1 7) Discuss the continuity of f (x)  9  x 2 , on
 1 for x  1,0 the interval [–3, 3].
 0 for x  0,1 Solution : f (x)  9  x 2 ....given
 1 for x  1,0 For domain of function 9  x 2  0
Continuity at x = –2 : i.e. 9  x 2 i.e. x 2  9
lim f (x)  lim  3  3  x  3 or x  3 i.e. 3  x  3
x 2 x 2
Let x = a be any point in the interval (–3, 3)
lim f (x)  lim  2  2
x 2 x 2
limf (x)  lim 9  x 2
∴ lim f (x)  lim f  x  xa xa
x 2 x 2
 9  a 2 = f(a)

Continuity – 2024 Page - 3

 As lim f (x)  f (a) 1 1 1
xa 
  ......(i)
∴ given function f is continuous at x = a 2 3 6
Also x=a is an arbitrary point from the interval From (i) and (ii),
(–3,3) lim f (x)  f (2)
x2
∴ function is continuous on (–3, 3). ∴ f is discontinuous at x = 2
Also f is continuous to the right at x = –3 and x3  8
to the left at x = 3. ii) f (x)  , for x  2
∴ given function f(x) is continuous on [–3, 3]. x  2  3x  2
8) Discuss the continuity of the following function = –24, for x = 2 at x = 2
at x = 0, where iii) f (x) = 4x + 1, for x  8 / 3.
 1 59  9x
f (x)  x sin   , for x  0  , for x > 8/3, at x = 8/3.
 x 3
1
= 0, for x = 0 (27  2x) 3  3
9) Test whether the function f (x) is continuous at iv) f (x)  1 , for x ≠ 0
x = – 4, where 9  3(243  5x) 5

x 2  16x  48 =2 for x = 0, at x = 0
f (x)  , for x   4
x4 Solution : f (0) = 2...........given .......(i)
1
= 8, for x = – 4.  27  2x  3  3
10) Test the continuity of the following functions at lim f (x)  lim 1
9  3 243  5x  5
x0 x 0
the points or interval indicated against them.
1
 1

i) f (x) 
x  1  (x  1)
3
, for x  2  lim   27  2x  3 3

x 
x2 x0  x 1

1  9  3  243  5x  5 
 , for x = 2 at x = 2 1
5
 lim
 27  2x  3  3  lim x
1
Solution : f (2)  ....given ......(i) x 1
9  3 243  5x  5
x 0 x0
5
1
Let lim f  x   L1  L 2
x  1   x  1 3 x 0
lim f (x)  lim
x2 1
 27  2x  3  3
x2 x 2

Put x – 1 = h. ∴x = 1 + h Now, L1  lim

As x  2, h  1 , Also x – 2 = h – 1
x 0 x
1

h h
1
3 i.e. L1  2lim
 27  2x  3  3
 lim f (x)  lim x 0 2x
x2 h 1 h 1 Put 27 – 2x = t ∴ 2x = 27 – t
1 1
h 1 h 1
2 3 As x  0, t  27
 lim 1
h 1 h 1 t3  3
 2   13 
1  L1  2 lim
t  27 27  t
 h  1   h  1 1 1
 lim t 3   27 3
h 1 h 1  2 lim
 2 1 1

t 27 t  27
 h  1 h 3
 1 1 1
xn  an
 lim   2   27 
1
 lim  na n 1
h 1  h  1 h 1 
3

  3 x  a x a
2
 12 12   13 13   L1 
 27
 lim 
h 1   lim  h  1 
h 1  h  1  h 1  h  1 
x
   
L2  lim
9  3 243  5x 
1/5
x0

1  12 1  32 xn  an
 1  1  lim
x a x  a
 na n 1 1
i.e. L2  lim
5x
2 3 5 x0 9  3 243  5x 1/5
Put 243 + 5x = y ∴ 5x = y – 243
Continuity – 2024 Page - 4
 As x  0, y  243 If we define f(7) = 4, f will be continuous for all
1 y  243 discontinuity is removable.
 L 2  lim iii) g (x) = 3x + 1 , for x < 3
5 y243 9  3 y1/5
= 2 – 3x, for x  3
1 y  243
  lim 1/5 iv) f (x)  x 2  3x  2 ,for x  4
15 y243 y  3
 5x  3 ,for x > 4.
1 y  243
  lim 1/5 v) f (x)  x 2  3x  2, for x < –3
y   243
1/5
15 y 243
= 3 + 8x,for x > –3.
1 1 xa 1 vi) h(x)  13  x 2 , for x < 5
   lim n  n 1
15 1 1 x a x  a n
na
 243 5 1 = 13 – 15x, for x > 5
5 vii) f (x) = 4 + sin x, for x  
1 1 = 3 – cos x for x  
   4  L 2  27
3 3 Solution :
2 lim f (x)  lim  4  sin x 
 lim f (x)    27 = 2 .......(ii) x  x 
x 0 27  4  sin 
from (i) and (ii) lim f (x)  f  0 =4+0
x 0

∴ function f is continuous at x = 0 i.e. lim f (x)  4 .....(i)

x 
x  8x  20 lim f (x)  lim  3  cos x 
2
v) f (x)  2 for 0  x  3; x  2 x  x 
2x  9x  10
 3  cos 
= 12, for x = 2
= 3 – (–1)
2  2x  x 2 i.e. lim f (x)  4 .....(ii)
 , for 3  x  4 at x = 2
x4 x 

11) Determine whether the function f is continuous on from (i) and (ii)
the set of real numbers lim f (x)  lim f (x)
x   x 
where f (x)  3x  1, for x < 2  lim f (x) exists and equals to 4.
x
= 7, for 2  x  4
 x 2  8 , for x  4 . But f    is not defined
If it is discontinuous, state the type of If we define f     4 , f will be continuous at
discontinuity. x
12) Identify discontinuities for the following functions ∴ the discontinuity is removable.
as either jump or a removable discontinuity on R. 13) Show that following functions have continuous
x 2  3x  18 extension to the point where f(x) is not defined.
i) f (x)  ,
x 6 Also find the extension.
x  10x  21
2 1  cos 2x
ii) f (x)  . i) f (x)  , for x  0.
x7 sin x
x 2  10x  21 x2 1
Solution : f (x)  . ...given ii) f (x)  3 for x  1.
x7 x 1
It is rational function. It is continuous for all 3sin 2 x  2cos x(1  cos 2x)
iii) f (x)  , for x  0.
x R  
2 1  cos 2 x
except at x = 7
f(7) is not defined so f is discontinuous at x = 7 Solution :
x  10x  21
2
Now, lim f (x)  lim 3sin 2 x  2 cos x(1  cos 2x)
x7 f (x)  ....given
 
x7 x 7
2 1  cos 2 x
 lim
 x  7 x  3
x 7 x 7 Here, f(0) is not defined
 lim  x  3 x7  0 3sin 2 x  2 cos x 1  cos 2x 
Now, lim f  x   lim
x 7

 lim f (x)  4
x 7
x0 x0
 
2 1  cos 2 x
 lim f (x) exists.
x 7

Continuity – 2024 Page - 5

 3sin 2 x  2cos x  2sin 2 x (log 2) 2
 lim  , for x = 0, at x = 0.
x 0 2sin 2 x 2
15) Show that the function
 1  cos 2  2sin 2  , sin 2   cos 2   1  
x
 2 
5 cos x
e 
sin 2 x  3  4 cos x  f (x)  , for x 
 lim cot x 2
x 0 2sin 2 x 
1 = log 5 – e , for x  has a removable
 lim  3  4cos x   sin 2 x  0 2
2 x 0 
1 discontinuity at x  . Redefine the function so
 7 2
2 
7 that it becomes continuous at x  .
 lim f  x   2
x 0 2
 
7 Solution : f    log 5  e .......given .....(i)
If we define f  0  , function f will be  2
2 
x
continuous at x = 0 5 cos x
e 2
7 7 lim f  x   lim
∴ continuous extension  i.e. f  0  x x cot x
2 2 2 2

14) Discuss the continuity of the following functions  

put x h  x  h
at the points indicated against them. 2 2
3  tan x  
i) f (x)  , x As x  , h  0
  3x 3 2
 
3   cos   h 
 , for x  , at x  . 5 2 
 eh
4 3 3  lim f  x   lim
x h 0  
e 1
1/x
2 cot   h 
ii) f (x)  1/x , for x  0 2 
e 1
=1 , for x = 0, at x = 0. 5sinh  eh
 lim
Solution : f (0) = 1 ........ given .... (i) h 0 tan h
To find left hand limit of the function    
Put x = 0 – h i.e. x = –h  cos     sin , cot     tan 
2  2 
As x  0, h  0
 5sinh  1  eh  1
1  lim  ,
e h
1 h 0
 tan h 
lim f (x)  lim ...... x  0
   
1
x 0 h 0
 5 1  e 1
sinh h
h 
e h
1  lim   
1 h 0
 h tanh 
1 1
 5sinh  1 e h  1 h
 lim e
h

h 0 1
 lim     lim
1 1
h 0
 h h  h0 tanh
e h  5sinh  1 sinh e h  1 
 lim      1  lim 1
1 h 0
 sin h h h   0 tan 

1 0 1
 e 
1 5sinh  1 sinh eh  1

1 0 1  lim  lim  lim
e h 0 sin h h 0 h h 0 h
= –1 ............ (ii)
As h  0, sinh  0
from (i) and (ii)
lim f (x)  f (0) lim f (x)  log 5  1  1
x 0
x
∴ given function is discontinuous at x = 0 2

ax 1 sin  ex  1
 lim  log a, lim  1, lim 1
4x  2x 1  1 x0 x 0  x 0 x
iii) f (x)  , for x  0
1  cos 2x

Continuity – 2024 Page - 6

 i.e. lim f (x)  log 5  1.....(ii) x3  8
x v) f (x)  , for x > 2
2 x2  4
From (i) and (ii) =3 , for x = 2
 
2

lim f (x)  f   e3( x 2)  1

 2  for x < 2
x
2
2(x  2) 2
e3 x  2  1
2

∴ given function is discontinuous at x  Solution : lim f (x)  lim
2  x  2
2
2 x2 x2

It is removable discontinuity.
e3 x 2  1
2
1
Function can be redefined as  lim
  2 x2  x  2  2
  x 
5 cos x
e 2

e3 x  2  1
2

f (x)  , for x  1
cot x 2  lim 3
2 x 2 3  x  2  2

= log 5 – 1 , for x 
.
As x  2,  x  2  0
2
2
16) Which of the following functions has a removable 1 ex  1
discontinuity? If it has a removable discontinuity,  lim f (x)   1  3  lim 1
x2 2 x 0 x
redefine the function so that it becomes 3
continuous.  ......(i)
2
e5sin x  e 2x
i) f (x)  , for x  0 x3  8
5 tan x  3x lim f (x)  lim 2
x  2 x 2 x  4
= 3/4 , for x = 0, at x = 0
3  x 3  23 1 
Solution : f (0)  .......given....(i)  lim   
4 x2
 x  2 x  2
e 5sin x
 e2x  a 2  b 2   a  b a  b
lim f (x)  lim
x0 5 tan x  3x
x 0
x 3  23 1
e5sin x  1  e 2x  1  lim  lim
x 2 x  2 x 2 x  2
 lim
x0 5 tan x  3x 1 xn  an
 3 2 
31
 lim  na n 1
 lim
e 5sin x
1  e 1  2x
 4 x  a xa
x 0 5tan x  3x  lim f (x)  3 ...........(ii)
x2
 e5sin x  1 e 2x  1  from equations (i) and (ii)
 
 lim  x x  x  0 lim f (x)  lim f (x)
 x2 x 2
 5tan x  3x 
x 0
 lim f (x) does not exist .
 x x  x 2

e  1 5sin x e  1 
5sin x 2x ∴ given function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 2
 5sin x  x  2x  2  It is irremovable discontinuity.
 lim   1
x 0
 tan x   3x  2  x
5 3 17) If f (x)   , for x  0 ,
 x   2  5x 
Now, simplify yourself. is continuous at x = 0 then find f (0).
3
lim f (x)  2  sin x  3 
x0 2 18) i) If f (x)  2
, for x 
cos x 2
ii) f (x)  log (13x ) (1  5x) , for x > 0
  
32x  1 is continuous at x  then find f   .
 , for x < 0, at x = 0. 2  2
8x  1 cos 2 x  sin 2 x  1
1 ii) If f (x)  , for x  0
 3  8x  x
3x 2  1  1
iii) f (x)   , for x  0.
 3  2x  is continuous at x = 0, then find f (0).
iv) f (x) = 3x + 2 , for 4  x  2 Solution : As function f(x) is continuous at x = 0.
= 2x – 3 , for 2  x  6 .  f (0)  lim f  x 
x0

Continuity – 2024 Page - 7

 cos 2 x  sin 2 x  1 xex  tan x
 lim f (x)  , for x  0
x0
3x 2  1  1 sin 3x
cos 2x  1 = k, for x = 0
 lim 20) If f is continuous at x = 1, where
x 0
3x 2  1  1 sin( x)
 cos2   sin 2   cos 2 f (x)   a, for x < 1
x 1
 1  cos 2x 3x 2  1  1 = 2π , for x = 1
  lim    1  cos( x)
 3x  1  1 3x 2  1  1
x 0 2
  b, for x > 1
(1  x) 2
 2sin 2 x
  lim  2
x  0 3x  1  1

   
3x 2  1  1 

then find the values of a and b.
24x  8x  3x  1
 1  cos2  2sin 2  21) i) If f (x)  x , for x
12  4 x  3x  1
  lim
x 0
2sin 2 x
3x 2
 lim 3x 2  1  1
x 0
  =k , for x = 0
is continuous at x = 0, find k.
2
2 sin x  Solution :
   lim  2
3  x 0 x  As given function is continuous at x = 0,
2 2 sin  f (0)  lim f (x)
  1  2  lim 1 x 0
3 x   24x  8x  3x  1
4 i.e. k  lim
 f (0)   x 0 12 x  4 x  3x  1
3 8x.3x  8x  3x  1
4x   4 x  2  lim x x
iii) If f (x)  , for x≠π x0 4 .3  4 x  3x  1
(x  ) 2
is continuous at x = πthen find f(π).
  
8x 3x  1  1 3x  1
 lim x x

Solution : As function f(x) is continuous at   
x 0 4 3  1  1 3x  1

 f     lim f (x)  3  18  1
x x
x 
 lim
i.e. f     lim
4 x   4  x  2 x 0
 3  1 4  1
x x

x 
 x   2 8x  1
 lim
Put x    h  x  h x 0 4 x  1

As x  , h  0  8x  1 x 
 lim   x  x  0
4h  4 h  2  x 4  1
 f     lim
x 0

h 0 h2 8x  1 x
 lim

4 h 4h  4 h  2   lim
x 0 x
 lim x
x  0 4 1
h 0 h 2  4h 1 ax 1
 log8   lim  log a
 lim
4  h 2
 1  2  4h log 4 x 0 x
h 0 h 2  4h 3log 2 3
 

 lim 

 4h  1 2 1 
 h
 2log 2 2
3
h 0  h2 4   k
  2
 4 h  1 1
2 5x  5 x  2
  lim  lim h ii) If f (x)  , for x  0
 h0 h   h0 4 x2
= k, for x = 0
1 ax 1
  log 4   lim is continuous at x = 0, find k.
2
 log a
1 x 0 x sin 2x
iii) If f (x)   a , for x > 0
 f      log 4 .
2
5x
19) Find k if f (x) is continuous at x = 0, where = 4, for x = 0
for  x  b  3,
2
for x < 0
is continuous at x = 0, find a and b.

Continuity – 2024 Page - 8

 iv) For what values of a and b is the function 5sinh  5 sinh  2
f(x) = ax + 2b + 18 , for x  0  lim f  x   lim
x h 0  2  2h 
3tanh.log 
 x 2  3a  b , for 0  x  2  2 
2

= 8x – 2 , for x > 2,
continuous for every x ? 5sinh  5 sinh  2
v) For what values of a and b is the function  lim
h0 3tanh log 1  h 
x2  4
f (x)  , for x < 2
x2

1
lim sinh

5sinh 5sinh  5  sinh  2 
 ax 2  bx  3 , for 2  x  3 3 h 0 5 tanh log 1  h 
= 2x – a + b , for x  3
 
2
continuous for every x on R ? 1 5sinh  1  2  5sinh
 lim
22) Discuss the continuity of f on its domain, 3 h0 tan h  log 1  h   5sinh
where
f (x)  x  1 , for 3  x  2 1
 lim 

 5sinh  1 2

h

 h

1 
3 h 0  h2 tanh log 1  h  5sinh 
 x 5 , for 2  x  7  
Solution : The domain of given function is [–3, 7] 1   5  1 sin 2 h
sinh
h
2
h  1
 lim       lim sinh
We know that, x  a iscontinuous for all x  R, 3 h 0  sin h 2
h 2
tanh log 1  h   x 0 5
 
We have to check the continuity of f only at x = 2 2 2
1 5 1  
sinh
sin h  h h 1
f (2)  2  1  3   lim    lim   lim  lim 
3 h  0 sin h
2 h  0
h  x  0 tanh h 

0 log 1  h 1  
lim f (x)  lim x  1  2  1  3 As h  0 , sin h  0
x2 x2
1
 lim f (x)  lim x  5  2  5  3  lim f (x)   log 5  1  1  1
2 2
x2 x2
x 3
 lim f (x)  lim f (x)  f (2) 2
x 2 x2
ax 1 sin 
∴ f is continuous at x = 2  lim  log a, lim 1
x 0 x 0 
Hence, f is continuous on its domain [–3, 7]
23) If f (x) is defined on R, discuss the continuity  log 1  x 
lim  1, lim 1
 0 tan  x 0 x
of f at x  , where 1
2 i.e. lim f (x)   log 5
2
.....(ii)
5cos x  5 cos x  2  x 3
f (x)  , for x  2
 2    2x  2 from equations (i) and (ii)
(3cot x).log  
 2  
lim f (x)  f  
2 log 5  x  2
 , for x  . 2
3 2 

  2log 5 ∴ given function f(x) is discontinuous at x  .
Solution : f    ..........given.....(ii) 2
 2 3 
24) Discuss the continuity of f (x) at x  where,
5cos x  5 cos x  2 4
lim f (x)  lim
x x  2    2x  (sin x  cos x)  2 2
3

2 2 3cot x.log   f (x)  , for x 
 2 sin 2x  1 4
  3 
Put x  h x  h  , for x  .
2 2 2 4
   3
As x  , h  0, Also   2x  2h Solution : f    .....given
2  4 2
 
Now, cos x  cos   h ∴ cos x = sin h lim f (x)  lim
 sin x  cos x   2
3
2
2  x  /4 x  /4 sin 2x  1
Put sin x + cos x = t
  
cot x  cot   h  ∴cot x = tan h as x  , t  2
2 
4

Continuity – 2024 Page - 9

 Also,  sin x  cos x   t 2
2 30) Suppose f (x)  px  3 for a  x  b
 1  sin 2x  t 2 i.e. sin 2x  t 2  1  5x 2  q , for b  x  c .
 2
3
t3  Find the condition on p, q so that f (x) is
 lim f (x)  lim
  2
2
x  /4 t 2
t2 continuous on [a, c]. by filling in the boxes.

 2  a  b
3
t3  f (b) 
 lim 2 2
  a  b a  b
t 2
 t  2  t  2  lim f (x) 
x b 
t  2
  
3
3
 1 
 lim   pb  3  q
t 2 t 2

 t  2  
t   2
3
3
1  p is the required condition.
 lim  lim b
t 2 t 2 t  2t 2
Miscellaneous Exercise
I) Select the correct answer from the given
  1 xn  an
31
3 2   lim  na n 1 alternatives.
2 2 x a x a 2cot x  1 
1) f (x)  , for x 
3   2x 2
 lim f (x)  ......(ii)
2 
x
4  log 2 , for x 
2
from equations (i) and (ii) 
a) f is continuous at x 
  2
lim f (x)  f   
x  /4  4 b) f has a jump discontinuity at x 
2

∴ given function is continuous at x  . c) f has a removable discontinuity
4 d) lim f (x)  2log 3
25) Determine the values of p and q such that the x
2

following function is continuous on the entire 1  2 sin x 

2) If f (x)  , for x  is continuous at ,
real number line.   4x 4
  
f (x) = x + 1 , for 1 < x < 3 x  then f   
4  4
 x 2  px  q , for x  2  1. 1 1 1 1
a) b)  c)  d)
2 2 4 4
26) Show that there is a root for the equation
(sin 2x) tan 5x
x 3  x  1  0 between 1 and 2. 3) If f (x)  , for x  0 is continuous at
(e 2x  1) 2
27) Show that there is a root for the equation x = 0, then f (0) is
10 10 5 5
2x 3  x  16  0 between 2 and 3. a) 2 b) 4 c) d)
e e 4 2
28) Show that there is a root for the equation x  7x  10
2
4) f (x)  2 , for x [ 6, 3]
x 3  3x  0 between 1 and 2. x  2x  8
a) f is discontinuous at x = 2.
29) Let f (x) = ax + b (where a and b are b) f is discontinuous at x = – 4.
unknown) c) f is discontinuous at x = 0.
d) f is discontinuous at x = 2 and x = – 4
 x2  5 , for x  R . 5) If f (x)  ax 2  bx  1, for x 1  3 and
Find the values of a and b, so that f (x) is = 4x + 5, for –2 < x < 4 is continuous
continuous at x = 1. everywhere then,

Continuity – 2024 Page - 10

 1 1 x 2  3x  10
a) a   , b = 3 b) a   , b = –3 lim f (x)  lim
2 2 x 5 x 5 x 5
1
c) a  , b = 3
1
d) a  , b = –3  lim
 x  5 x  2
2 2 x5  x  5
6) f (x) 
 
16  1 9  1
x x
 , for x  0  lim  x  2 x 5  0
 
27 x  1 32 x  1  =5+2
x 5

=k , for x = 0, = 7......(ii)
is continuous at x = 0, then value of ‘k’ = From (i) and (ii)
8 8 8 20 lim f (x)  f  5
a) b) c)  d) x 5
3 15 15 3
∴f is discontinuous at x = 5.
32  8  4  1
x x x
7) f (x)  , for x  0 ∴f is continuous everywhere in [3, 9] except
4x  2x 1  1 at x = 5
=k , for x = 0,
2) f (x)  2x 2  2x  5, for 0  x  2
is continuous at x = 0, then value of k is
a) 6 b) 4 c) (log 2)(log 4) d) 3 log 4 1  3x  x 2
 , for 2 < x < 4
12x  4 x  3x  1 1 x
8) If f (x)  , for x  0 is x 2  25
1  cos 2x  , for 4  x  7 and x  5
continuous at x = 0, then the value of f (0) is x 5
log12 = 7, for x = 5
a) b) log 2 . log 3 Solution : Domain of f is [0, 7]
2
log 2.log 3 In [0, 2], f  x   2x 2  2x  5 , being a polynomial
c) d) log 4 . log 3
2 function is continuous.
4 1  3x  x 2
 4  5x  x In (2, 4), f  x   ,being a rational
9) If f (x)    , for 𝑥 ≠ 0 and f (0) = k, 1 x
 4  7x 
function is continuous except at the point x = 1 but
is continuous at x = 0, then k is x  1  2, 4
3
7 3 12
a) e b) e c) e d) e 4 ∴ it is continuous in (2, 4)
10) If f (x)   x  for x ∈ (–1, 2) then x 2  25
In [4, 7], f  x   , being a rational function
f is discontinuous at x 5
a) x = –1, 0, 1, 2, b) x = –1, 0, 1 is continuous except at the point x = 5 but it is
c) x = 0, 1 d) x = 2 given that x  5 .
II) Discuss the continuity of following functions Continuity at x = 2 :
at the point (s) or on the interval lim f (x)  lim  2x 2  2x  5
x2 x2
indicated against them.
x  3x  10
2  4  4  5 = 5....(i)
1) f (x)  ,for 3  x  6, x  5 1  3x  x 2
x 5 lim f (x)  lim
x 2  3x  10 x2 x2 1 x
f (x)  = 10, for x = 5 1  6  4
x 5   9 .....(ii)
x  3x  10
2 1  2
 , for 6 < x ≤ 9 from (i) and (ii)
x 5
lim f (x)  lim f (x)
Solution : Given function can be written x  2 x2

x  3x  10
2 ∴ function f is discontinuous at x = 2.
f (x)  , for 3  x  9, x  5 Continuity at x = 4 :
x 5
= 10, for x = 5 1  3x  x 2
lim f (x)  lim
x 2  3x  10 x4 x4 1 x
f (x)  is a rational function 1  12  16
x 5   9 .....(i)
 it is continuous in 3  x  9 except at x = 5. 1 4
Continuity at x = 5 : x 2  25
lim f (x)  lim
f(5) = 10 ..........given.....(i) x 4 x4 x  5

Continuity – 2024 Page - 11

 16  25
= lim sin 13x / 2  13  lim sin  5x / 2  5   lim
2
x 
 9 .....(ii) 
45 x0 13x / 2 2 x 0 5x / 2 2  x0 sin x / 2 
16  25 13x 5x
f (4)  9 ......(iii) As x  0,  0, 0
45 2 2
from (i) , (ii) and (iii) 13 5  x/2 
2

lim f (x)  lim f (x)  f (4)  lim f (x)  1   1   lim  2  2

x 4 x 4 x 0 2 2 x  0  sin x / 2 
∴ function f is continuous at x = 4. sin 
 lim 1
Continuity at x = 5 :  0 
f(5) = 7...........given....(i) x
As x  0, 0
x 2  25 2
lim f  x   lim
x 5 x 5 x  5 65
 1  2 = 65.....(ii)
2
 lim f (x) 
 lim
 x  5 x  5 x 0 4
x 5 x 5 From (i) and (ii)
 lim  x  5  x 5  0 lim f (x)  f  0
x 0
x 5

= 5 + 5 = 10......(ii) ∴ f is discontinuous at x = 0.
from (i) and (ii), Hence, f is continuous on    ,   except
 2 2 
lim f  x   f  5
x 5 at the point x = 0,where it is discontinuous.
∴ f is discontinuous at x = 5 sin 2 x
Hence, f is continuous on its domain [0,7] 4) f (x)  , for x  1
3(1  x) 2
except at the point x = 2 and x = 5, where it is
discontinuous.  x 
 2 sin 2  
cos 4x  cos 9x  2  , for x = 1, at x = 1.
3) f (x)  , for x  0 
1  cos x  x 
3  4 cos 2  
68    2
f (0)  , at x = 0 on   x  Solution :
15 2 2
Solution : cos 4x, cos 9x, 1, cos x are continuous  
 2 sin 2  
for all x .  2  2  12  2
f (1)    .....(i)
cos 4x  cos 9x 2   3 0 3
 is continuous for all 3  4cos  
1  cos x  2
   sin 2 x
x    ,  except when 1– cos x = 0 lim f  x   lim
3 1  x 
2
 2 2 x 1 x 1

i.e. except at x = 0. put 1 – x = h ∴ x = 1 – h

Continuity at x = 0 : As x  1, h  0
68
f  0  ......given sin 2    h 
15  limf (x)  lim
x 1 h0 3h 2
cos 4x  cos9x
lim f  x   lim sin 2 h
x 0 x 0 1  cos x  lim 2
 sin       sin 
 13x   5x 
h 0 3h
 sin   sin 
 2 
2
 2  1 sin h 
 lim   lim 
x 0 2 x 3  h 0 h 
sin 2
2 1 sin h 
 C  D  C  D   lim  
 cos C  cos D  2sin  .sin 3  h  0 h 
 2  
2

As h  0, h  0
 13x   5x  1 sin 
sin   sin  
 2   2   sin    sin 
 lim f (x)  1    2
 lim 1
 lim   x 1 3 0 
x 0 x From (i) and (ii)
sin 2
2 lim f (x)  f 1
 sin 13x / 2  sin  5x / 2  x2  x 1
 lim     ∴ given function f(x) is discontinuous at x = 1.
x0
 x x sin  x / 2  
2

Continuity – 2024 Page - 12

 x 1  x  3  2 or  (x  3)  2
5) f (x)  , for x  1
2x  x  1
2
 x  5 or  x  3  2
= 0, for x = – 1 at x = – 1. i.e. x  5 or x  1
Solution : ∴ function f(x) can be defined as :
If x  1, hen x + 1 > 0  x  1  x  1 f (x)  2x 2  x  1, for x  1
If x  1, then x + 1 < 0  x 2  3 , for 1 < x < 5
 x  1    x  1 = 2x 2  x  1, for x  5
∴ given function can be defined as Domain of given function is  ,   i.e. R .
x 1
f  x  2 , for x  1 For x < 1, f (x)  2x 2  x  1 , being a polynomial
2x  x  1
  x  1 function is continuous.
 2 , for x  1 For 1 < x < 5, f (x)  x 2  3 , being a polynomial
2x  x  1
= 0, , for x = –1 function is continuous.
f(–1) = 0 ..........given.....(i) For x > 5, f (x)  2x 2  x  1 , being a polynomial
  x  1 function is continuous.
lim f (x)  lim 2
x 1 x 1 2x  x  1 Now check Continuity at x = 1 and at x = 5
 x  1 Final Ans : f is continuous on its domain R except at
 lim x = 5 where it is discontinuous.
x1  x  1 2x  1
III) Identify discontinuities if any for the following
1 functions as either a jump or a removable
 lim   x  1  0
x 1 2x  1 discontinuity on their respective domains.
1 1 1) f (x)  x 2  x  3 , for x [ 5, 2)
  ......(ii)
2  1 3  x2  5 , for x  ( 2,5]
From (i) and (ii), lim f (x)  f ( 1)
x1 2) f (x)  x 2  5x  1 , for 0  x  3
∴ given function f(x) is discontinuous at x = –1.  x 2  x  5 , for 3  x  6
6) f (x)   x  1 for x [ 2, 2) where [*] is x2  x  1
greatest integer function. 3) f (x)  , for x [0,3)
x 1
Solution : 3x  4
 2 , for x [3, 6] .
f (x)   x  1 , for x  2, 2 x 5
i.e. f (x)  1 for x  2, 1 IV) Discuss the continuity of the following functions
at the point or on the interval indicated against
 0 for x  1,0 them. If the function is discontinuous, identify the
 1 for x  0,1 , 2 for x  1, 2  type of discontinuity and state whether the
Continuity at x = – 1 : discontinuity is removable. If it has a removable
discontinuity, redefine the function so that it
lim f (x)  lim  3  1
x 1 x 1 becomes continuous.
lim f (x)  lim  0  0 1) f (x) 
(x  3)(x 2  6x  8)
x1 x 1
x 2  x  12
 lim f (x)  lim f  x 
x 1 x 1 2) f (x)  x 2  2x  5 , for x  3
∴ lim f (x) does not exist  x 3  2x 2  5 , for x > 3
x 1

∴ f is discontinuous at x = – 1 V) Find k if following functions are continuous at the

Similarly , f is discontinuous at other integral points indicated against them.
3
values of xi.e., at x = 0, x = 1.
 5x  8  2x 4
In intervals (–2, –1), (–1, 0),(0,1), (1,2) function 1) f (x)   , for x  2
is a constant function  8  3x 
∴ f is continuous in (–2, –1), (–1, 0), (0,1), (1,2). =k , for x = 2 at x = 2.
Hence, f is discontinuous at x = –1, 0, 1. 45  9  5x  1
x x
2) f (x)  , for x  0
7) f (x)  2x 2  x  1 , for x  3  2 (k x  1)(3x  1)
 x 2  3 , for 1  x  5 2
 , for x = 0, at x = 0
Solution : x  3  (x  3) 3

Continuity – 2024 Page - 13