BASIC CALCULUS Handout #4

CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION

Definition
A function 𝑓(𝑥 ) is said to be continuous at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if the following three conditions are satisfied:
𝒊. 𝒇(𝒄) 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔
𝒊𝒊. 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔; 𝒂𝒏𝒅
𝒙→𝒄

𝒊𝒊𝒊. 𝒇(𝒄) = 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙)

𝒙→𝒄

If at least one of the conditions is not met, 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be discontinuous.

Example
Determine whether a function is continuous at a number or not.
2𝑥 2 − 1 , 𝑥 ≤ 2
1. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = { 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2
3𝑥 − 4 , 𝑥 > 2
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 7
2. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = { 𝑥 − 1 , 𝑥 ≠ 1 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1
5, 𝑥=1
Solution.
(1) 𝑖. 𝑔(2) = 2(2)2 − 1 = 8 − 1 = 7

𝑖𝑖. lim 𝑔(𝑥 )

𝑥→2

lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim−(2𝑥 2 − 1) = 2(2)2 − 1 = 8 − 1 = 7

𝑥→2− 𝑥→2

lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim+(3𝑥 − 4) = 3(2) − 4 = 6 − 4 = 2

𝑥→2+ 𝑥→2

Thus, lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) 𝐷𝑁𝐸

𝑥→2

∴ 𝒈(𝒙) 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒙 = 𝟐

(2) 𝑖. 𝑓 (1) = 5

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 7 12 + 6(1) − 7 0
𝑖𝑖. lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) = lim = = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1 1−1 0
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 7 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 7)
lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim = lim = lim (𝑥 + 7) = 1 + 7 = 8
𝑥→1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1 𝑥−1 𝑥→1

𝑖𝑖𝑖. Since 𝑓(1) = 5 and lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 8, then 𝑓 (1) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥 ).

𝑥→1 𝑥→1

∴ 𝒇(𝒙) 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒙 = 𝟏

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BASIC CALCULUS Handout #4

Seatwork
Determine whether the function is continuous at a number or not. Show the complete solution.
𝑥 2 − 1, 𝑥 < −5
ℎ(𝑥 ) = {√25 − 𝑥 2 , −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = −5 & 5
5 − 𝑥, 𝑥>5

Continuity of a function at the interval

Definition.
A function 𝑓 is continuous on an open interval (𝒂, 𝒃) if and only if 𝑓 is continuous at every
number between 𝑎 and 𝑏.

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

Consider the following functions:

𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 7 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑔(𝑥 ) = |𝑥 + 3| 𝐴𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑥2
ℎ (𝑥 ) = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑥+4
𝑘 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 2 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Continuity of Polynomial, Absolute Value, Rational, and Square Root Functions

❑ Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere.
❑ The absolute value function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = |𝑥 | is continuous everywhere.
❑ Rational Functions are continuous on their respective domains.
❑ The square root function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 is continuous on [0, ∞)

Example
To determine if the function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous in the given interval, we will have to determine the
restrictions of the variable 𝑥.
1. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 1 at (−1, 5) 𝐴𝑛𝑠. : 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠
4 − 3𝑥
2. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = at (0, 3) 𝐴𝑛𝑠. : 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠
2𝑥 − 4
3. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 5 𝑎𝑡 (−1, 7) 𝐴𝑛𝑠. : 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠
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A function 𝒇 is said to be continuous…

▪ everywhere if 𝑓 is continuous at every real number. In this case, we also say 𝑓 is continuous
on ℝ.
▪ on (𝑎, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous at every point 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏).
▪ on [𝑎, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) and from the right at 𝑎.
▪ on (𝑎, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) and from the left at 𝑏.
▪ on [𝑎, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏] and on [𝑎, 𝑏).
▪ on (𝑎, ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 > 𝑎.
▪ on [𝑎, ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, ∞) and from the right at 𝑎.
▪ on (−∞, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 < 𝑏.
▪ on (−∞, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (−∞, 𝑏) and from the left at 𝑏.

Example
1. Let 𝑓 be a function defined by
√𝑥 − 1 , 𝑥 > 1
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = { 3, 𝑥=1
2
4−𝑥 , 𝑥 < 1
Determine if 𝑓 is continuous on (1, 4), [1, 3), (−1, 1), (−1, 1], and (−2, 5].

Answer:

a. (1, 4)
All values in between 1 and 4 are greater than 1. When 𝑥 > 1, 𝑓(𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 1. This means that
𝑓(𝑥 ) is continuous at any value of 𝑥 > 1. So, 𝑓 is continuous at (1, 4).

b. [1, 3)
All values in between 1 and 3 are greater than 1. When 𝑥 > 1, 𝑓(𝑥 ) = √𝑥 − 1. This means that
𝑓(𝑥 ) is continuous at any value of 𝑥 > 1. So, 𝑓 is continuous at (1, 3).
Next,
𝑖. 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓 (1) = 3

𝑖𝑖. lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim+ √𝑥 − 1 = 1 − 1 = 0

𝑥→1 𝑥→1

𝑖𝑖𝑖. 𝑓(1) ≠ lim+ 𝑓 (𝑥 )

𝑥→1

∴ 𝒇 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 [𝟏, 𝟑)

c. (−1, 1)
All values in between −1 and 1 are less than 1. When 𝑥 < 1, 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4 − 𝑥 2 . This means that 𝑓 (𝑥 )
is continuous at any value of 𝑥 < 1. So, 𝑓 is continuous at (−1, 1).

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d. (−1, 1]
𝑓 is continuous at (−1, 1) based on the previous interval.
Next,
𝑖. 𝑓(𝑏) = 𝑓 (1) = 3
𝑖𝑖. lim− 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim−(4 − 𝑥 2 ) = 4 − 12 = 3
𝑥→1 𝑥→1

𝑖𝑖𝑖. 𝑓(1) = lim− 𝑓 (𝑥 )

𝑥→1

∴ 𝒇 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 (−𝟏, 𝟏].

e. (−2, 5]
Since 1 ∈ (−2, 5], then
𝑖. 𝑓(1) = 3
𝑖𝑖. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 )
𝑥→1

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim−(4 − 𝑥 2 ) = 4 − 12 = 3
𝑥→1− 𝑥→1

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim+ √𝑥 − 1 = 1 − 1 = 0
𝑥→1+ 𝑥→1

Thus, lim 𝑓(𝑥 ) 𝐷𝑁𝐸

𝑥→1

∴ 𝒇 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 (−𝟐, 𝟓].

2. Let 𝑔 be a function defined by

𝑥2 − 1 , 𝑥 < −5
𝑔(𝑥 ) = {√25 − 𝑥 2 , −5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5
5−𝑥, 𝑥>5
Determine if 𝑔 is continuous on (−∞, − 5),(−6, − 4], [−5, 5], and [5, + ∞).

Answer:

a. (−∞, 5)
All values in (−∞, −5) are less than −5. When 𝑥 < −5, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 − 1. This means that 𝑔(𝑥 ) is
continuous at any value of 𝑥 < −5. So, 𝑔 is continuous at (−∞, −5).

b. (−6, −4]
Since −5 ∈ (−6, −4], then

𝑖. 𝑔(−5) = √25 − (−5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑖𝑖. lim 𝑔(𝑥 )
𝑥→−5

lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim − (𝑥 2 − 1) = (−5)2 − 1 = 25 − 1 = 24

𝑥→−5− 𝑥→−5

lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim + √25 − 𝑥 2 = √25 − (−5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑥→−5+ 𝑥→−5
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Thus, lim 𝑔(𝑥 ) 𝐷𝑁𝐸

𝑥→−5

∴ 𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 (−𝟔, −𝟒].

c. [−5, 5]
All values in (−5, 5) are greater than −5 but less than 5. When −5 < 𝑥 < 5, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = √25 − 𝑥 2 . This
means that 𝑔(𝑥 ) is continuous at any value of −5 < 𝑥 < 5. So, 𝑔 is continuous at (−5, 5).
For (−5, 5], we have

𝑖. 𝑔(𝑏) = 𝑔(5) = √25 − (5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑖𝑖. lim− 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim− √25 − 𝑥 2 = √25 − (−5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑥→5 𝑥→5

𝑖𝑖𝑖. 𝑔(5) = lim− 𝑔(𝑥 )

𝑥→5

Thus, 𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑡 (−5, 5].

For [−5, 5), we have

𝑖. 𝑔(𝑎) = 𝑔(−5) = √25 − (−5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑖𝑖. lim + 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim + √25 − 𝑥 2 = √25 − (−5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑥→−5 𝑥→−5

𝑖𝑖𝑖. 𝑔(−5) = lim + 𝑔(𝑥 )

𝑥→−5

Thus, 𝑔 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑡 [−5, 5).

∴ 𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 [−𝟓, 𝟓].

d. [5, +∞)
All values in (5, +∞) are greater than 5. When 𝑥 > 5, 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 5 − 𝑥. This means that 𝑔(𝑥 ) is
continuous at any value of 𝑥 > 5. So, 𝑔 is continuous at (5, +∞).
For [5, +∞), we have

𝑖. 𝑔(𝑎) = 𝑔(5) = √25 − (5)2 = √25 − 25 = 0

𝑖𝑖. lim+ 𝑔(𝑥 ) = lim+(5 − 𝑥 ) = 5 − 5 = 0
𝑥→5 𝑥→5

𝑖𝑖𝑖. 𝑔(5) = lim+ 𝑔(𝑥 )

𝑥→5

∴ 𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 [𝟓, +∞).

2
3. Determine if 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥+1 is continuous on (−2, −1], [−1, 1], and (−2, +∞).

Answer:
a. (−2, −1]
𝑓(𝑥 ) is continuous if 𝑥 ≠ −1. So, 𝑓 is continuous at (−2, −1).
For (−2, −1]

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2 2
𝑖. 𝑓 (−1) = = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑
−1 + 1 0
∴ 𝒇 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 (−𝟐, −𝟏].

b. [−1, 1]
𝑓(𝑥 ) is continuous if 𝑥 ≠ −1. Since −1 ∈ [−1, 1], therefore 𝑓 is discontinuous at [−1, 1].

c. (−2, +∞)
𝑓(𝑥 ) is continuous if 𝑥 ≠ −1. Since −1 ∈ (−2, +∞), therefore 𝑓 is discontinuous at (−2, +∞).

Types of Discontinuity

Hole/Removable Discontinuity
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have a removable discontinuity at
𝑥 = 𝑐 if
(𝑎) lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑠; and
𝑥→𝑐

(𝑏) either 𝑓(𝑐) does not exist or 𝑓(𝑐) ≠ lim 𝑓(𝑥)

𝑥→𝑐

▪ It is said to be 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 because the discontinuity may be

removed by 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇(𝒄) so that it will equal lim 𝑓(𝑥).
𝑥→𝑐
▪ The redefinition results in a “transfer” of the point to the
hole. This is also why, sometimes, it is called a 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆
discontinuity.

Example:

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BASIC CALCULUS Handout #4

Essential/Jump Discontinuity
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to have an essential discontinuity at
𝑥 = 𝑐 if
𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑫𝑵𝑬
𝒙→𝒄

If for a function 𝑓(𝑥), 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑫𝑵𝑬, that is

𝒙→𝒄

𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑳 and 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑴

𝒙→𝒄− 𝒙→𝒄

where 𝑳 ≠ 𝑴, then 𝑓 is said to have 𝒋𝒖𝒎𝒑 essential

discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

Example:

Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity
If for a function 𝑓(𝑥), 𝒍𝒊𝒎 𝒇(𝒙) 𝑫𝑵𝑬, because either
𝒙→𝒄

𝐥𝐢𝐦 𝒇(𝒙) = ±∞ 𝑜𝑟 𝒍𝒊𝒎+ 𝒇(𝒙) = ±∞

𝒙→𝒄− 𝒙→𝒄

then 𝑓 is said to have an 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 discontinuity at 𝑥 = 𝑐.

Example:

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FLOW CHART:

Example:
Identify the type of discontinuity illustrated by the function. Remove any removable discontinuity.
𝑥2 − 9
1. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = ; 𝑥 = −3
𝑥+3
2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −2
2. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = {5 − 𝑥 ; 𝑥 = −2
2𝑥 − 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −2

Solution.
𝑥 2 − 9 (−3)2 − 9 0
(1) 𝑖. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim = = 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝑥→−3 𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 3 −3 + 3 0
𝑥2 − 9 (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)
lim = lim = lim (𝑥 − 3) = −3 − 3 = −𝟔
𝑥→−3 𝑥 + 3 𝑥→−3 𝑥+3 𝑥→−3

(−3)2 − 9 0
𝑖𝑖. 𝑓 (−3) = = 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡
−3 + 3 0

∴ 𝒇(𝒙) exhibits a hole/removable discontinuity.

Redefinition:
𝑥2 − 9
𝐹(𝑥 ) = { 𝑥 + 3 , 𝑥 ≠ −3
−6 , 𝑥 = −3

(2) 𝑖. lim 𝑓 (𝑥 )
𝑥→−2

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim − (5 − 𝑥 2 ) = 5 − (−2)2 = 𝟏

𝑥→−2− 𝑥→−2

lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = lim + (2𝑥 − 3) = 2(−2) − 3 = −𝟕

𝑥→−2+ 𝑥→−2

Thus, lim 𝑓 (𝑥 ) 𝐷𝑁𝐸.

𝑥→−2

∴ 𝒇(𝒙) exhibits a jump/essential continuity.

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TRY THIS!
Consider the graph of 𝑓(𝑥 ) enumerate all discontinuities of 𝑓 (𝑥 ) and identify their types. If a
discontinuity is removable, state the redefinition that will remove it. Hint: There are 10 discontinuities.

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