Continuity

Arizona is known for its dry heat. On a particular day, the temperature might rise as high as $118^{\circ} F$ and drop down only to a brisk $95^{\circ} F .$ Figure 1 shows the function $T,$ where the output of $T (x)$ is the temperature in Fahrenheit degrees and the input $x$ is the time of day, using a 24-hour clock on a particular summer day.

Graph of function that maps the time since midnight to the temperature. The x-axis, labelled x, represents the hours since midnight from 0 to 24. The y-axis, labelled T(x), represents the temperature from 0 to 120. The function is continuous that peaks at (16, 118). — Figure 1 Temperature as a function of time forms a continuous function.

When we analyze this graph, we notice a specific characteristic. There are no breaks in the graph. We could trace the graph without picking up our pencil. This single observation tells us a great deal about the function. In this section, we will investigate functions with and without breaks.

Determining Whether a Function Is Continuous at a Number

Let’s consider a specific example of temperature in terms of date and location, such as June 27, 2013, in Phoenix, AZ. The graph in Figure 1 indicates that, at 2 a.m., the temperature was $96^{\circ} F$ . By 2 p.m. the temperature had risen to $116^{\circ} F,$ and by 4 p.m. it was $118^{\circ} F .$ Sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 p.m., the temperature outside must have been exactly ${110.5}^{\circ} F .$ In fact, any temperature between $96^{\circ} F$ and $118^{\circ} F$ occurred at some point that day. This means all real numbers in the output between $96^{\circ} F$ and $118^{\circ} F$ are generated at some point by the function according to the intermediate value theorem,

Look again at Figure 1. There are no breaks in the function’s graph for this 24-hour period. At no point did the temperature cease to exist, nor was there a point at which the temperature jumped instantaneously by several degrees. A function that has no holes or breaks in its graph is known as a continuous function. Temperature as a function of time is an example of a continuous function.

If temperature represents a continuous function, what kind of function would not be continuous? Consider an example of dollars expressed as a function of hours of parking. Let’s create the function $D,$ where $D (x)$ is the output representing cost in dollars for parking $x$ number of hours. See Figure 2.

Suppose a parking garage charges $4.00 per hour or fraction of an hour, with a $25 per day maximum charge. Park for two hours and five minutes and the charge is $12. Park an additional hour and the charge is $16. We can never be charged $13, $14, or $15. There are real numbers between 12 and 16 that the function never outputs. There are breaks in the function’s graph for this 24-hour period, points at which the price of parking jumps instantaneously by several dollars.

Graph of function that maps the time since midnight to the temperature. The x-axis represents the hours parked from 0 to 24. The y-axis represents dollars amounting from 0 to 28. The function is a step-function. — Figure 2 Parking-garage charges form a discontinuous function.

A function that remains level for an interval and then jumps instantaneously to a higher value is called a stepwise function. This function is an example.

A function that has any hole or break in its graph is known as a discontinuous function. A stepwise function, such as parking-garage charges as a function of hours parked, is an example of a discontinuous function.

So how can we decide if a function is continuous at a particular number? We can check three different conditions. Let’s use the function $y = f (x)$ represented in Figure 3 as an example.

Graph of an increasing function with a discontinuity at (a, f(a)). — Figure 3

Condition 1 According to Condition 1, the function $f (a)$ defined at $x = a$ must exist. In other words, there is a y-coordinate at $x = a$ as in Figure 4.

Graph of an increasing function with a discontinuity at (a, 2). The point (a, f(a)) is directly below the hole. — Figure 4

Condition 2 According to Condition 2, at $x = a$ the limit, written $\lim_{x \to a} f (x),$ must exist. This means that at $x = a$ the left-hand limit must equal the right-hand limit. Notice as the graph of $f$ in Figure 3 approaches $x = a$ from the left and right, the same y-coordinate is approached. Therefore, Condition 2 is satisfied. However, there could still be a hole in the graph at $x = a$ .

Condition 3 According to Condition 3, the corresponding $y$ coordinate at $x = a$ fills in the hole in the graph of $f .$ This is written $\lim_{x \to a} f (x) = f (a) .$

Satisfying all three conditions means that the function is continuous. All three conditions are satisfied for the function represented in Figure 5 so the function is continuous as $x = a .$

Graph of an increasing function with filled-in discontinuity at (a, f(a)). — Figure 5 All three conditions are satisfied. The function is continuous at $x = a$ .

Figure 6 through Figure 9 provide several examples of graphs of functions that are not continuous at $x = a$ and the condition or conditions that fail.

Graph of a piecewise function with an increasing segment from negative infinity to (a, f(a)), which is closed, and another increasing segment from (a, f(a)-1), which is open, to positive infinity. — Figure 8 Condition 1 is satisfied. Conditions 2 and 3 fail.

Graph of a piecewise function with an increasing segment from negative infinity to (a, f(a)) and another increasing segment from (a, f(a) - 1) to positive infinity. This graph does not include the point (a, f(a)). — Figure 9 Conditions 1, 2, and 3 all fail.

Identifying a Jump Discontinuity

Discontinuity can occur in different ways. We saw in the previous section that a function could have a left-hand limit and a right-hand limit even if they are not equal. If the left- and right-hand limits exist but are different, the graph “jumps” at $x = a$ . The function is said to have a jump discontinuity.

As an example, look at the graph of the function $y = f (x)$ in Figure 10. Notice as $x$ approaches $a$ how the output approaches different values from the left and from the right.

Identifying Removable Discontinuity

Some functions have a discontinuity, but it is possible to redefine the function at that point to make it continuous. This type of function is said to have a removable discontinuity. Let’s look at the function $y = f (x)$ represented by the graph in Figure 11. The function has a limit. However, there is a hole at $x = a$ . The hole can be filled by extending the domain to include the input $x = a$ and defining the corresponding output of the function at that value as the limit of the function at $x = a$ .

Graph of an increasing function with a removable discontinuity at (a, f(a)). — Figure 11 Graph of function $f$ with a removable discontinuity at $x = a$ .

Example 1

Identifying Discontinuities

Identify all discontinuities for the following functions as either a jump or a removable discontinuity.

ⓐ $f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 2 x - 15}{x - 5}$
ⓑ $g (x) = {\begin{array}{l} x + 1, & x < 2 \\ - x, & x \geq 2 \end{array}$

Solution

ⓐ
Notice that the function is defined everywhere except at $x = 5.$

Thus, $f (5)$ does not exist, Condition 2 is not satisfied. Since Condition 1 is satisfied, the limit as $x$ approaches 5 is 8, and Condition 2 is not satisfied. This means there is a removable discontinuity at $x = 5.$
ⓑ
Condition 2 is satisfied because $g (2) = - 2.$

Notice that the function is a piecewise function, and for each piece, the function is defined everywhere on its domain. Let’s examine Condition 1 by determining the left- and right-hand limits as $x$ approaches 2.
Left-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 2^{-}} (x + 1) = 2 + 1 = 3.$ The left-hand limit exists.
Right-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 2^{+}} (- x) = - 2.$ The right-hand limit exists. But

$\lim_{x \to 2^{-}} f (x) \neq \lim_{x \to 2^{+}} f (x) .$

So, $\lim_{x \to 2} f (x)$ does not exist, and Condition 2 fails: There is no removable discontinuity. However, since both left- and right-hand limits exist but are not equal, the conditions are satisfied for a jump discontinuity at $x = 2.$

Recognizing Continuous and Discontinuous Real-Number Functions

Many of the functions we have encountered in earlier chapters are continuous everywhere. They never have a hole in them, and they never jump from one value to the next. For all of these functions, the limit of $f (x)$ as $x$ approaches $a$ is the same as the value of $f (x)$ when $x = a .$ So $\lim_{x \to a} f (x) = f (a) .$ There are some functions that are continuous everywhere and some that are only continuous where they are defined on their domain because they are not defined for all real numbers.

Examples of Continuous Functions

The following functions are continuous everywhere:

..
Polynomial functions	Ex: $f (x) = x^{4} - 9 x^{2}$
Exponential functions	Ex: $f (x) = 4^{x + 2} - 5$
Sine functions	Ex: $f (x) = \sin (2 x) - 4$
Cosine functions	Ex: $f (x) = - \cos (x + \frac{π}{3})$

The following functions are continuous everywhere they are defined on their domain:

Logarithmic functions	Ex: $f (x) = 2 \ln (x)$ , $x > 0$
Tangent functions	Ex: $f (x) = \tan (x) + 2,$ $x \neq \frac{π}{2} + k π,$ $k$ is an integer
Rational functions	Ex: $f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 25}{x - 7},$ $x \neq 7$

Example 2

Determining Whether a Piecewise Function is Continuous at a Given Number

Determine whether the function $f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} 4 x, & x \leq 3 \\ 8 + x, & x > 3 \end{array}$ is continuous at

ⓐ $x = 3$
ⓑ $x = \frac{8}{3}$

Solution

To determine if the function $f$ is continuous at $x = a,$ we will determine if the three conditions of continuity are satisfied at $x = a$ .

ⓐ
Condition 1: Does $f (a)$ exist?

$\begin{array}{l} f (3) = 4 (3) = 12 \\ \Rightarrow Condition 1 is satisfied . \end{array}$

Condition 2: Does $\lim_{x \to 3} f (x)$ exist?
To the left of x=3, f(x)=4x; to the right of x=3, f(x)=8+x. We need to evaluate the left- and right-hand limits as x approaches 1.
- Left-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 3^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 3^{-}} 4 (3) = 12$
- Right-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 3^{+}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 3^{+}} (8 + x) = 8 + 3 = 11$
Because $\lim_{x \to 3^{-}} f (x) \neq \lim_{x \to 3^{+}} f (x),$ $\lim_{x \to 3} f (x)$ does not exist.

$\Rightarrow Condition 2 fails .$

There is no need to proceed further. Condition 2 fails at $x = 3.$ If any of the conditions of continuity are not satisfied at $x = 3,$ the function $f (x)$ is not continuous at $x = 3.$
ⓑ
$x = \frac{8}{3}$

Condition 1: Does $f (\frac{8}{3})$ exist?

$\begin{array}{l} f (\frac{8}{3}) = 4 (\frac{8}{3}) = \frac{32}{3} \\ \Rightarrow Condition 1 is satisfied . \end{array}$

Condition 2: Does $\lim_{x \to \frac{8}{3}} f (x)$ exist?
To the left of x= 8 3 , f(x)=4x; to the right of x= 8 3 , f(x)=8+x. We need to evaluate the left- and right-hand limits as x approaches 8 3 .
- Left-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to {\frac{8}{3}}^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to {\frac{8}{3}}^{-}} 4 (\frac{8}{3}) = \frac{32}{3}$
- Right-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to {\frac{8}{3}}^{+}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to {\frac{8}{3}}^{+}} (8 + x) = 8 + \frac{8}{3} = \frac{32}{3}$
Because $\lim_{x \to \frac{8}{3}} f (x)$ exists,

$\Rightarrow Condition 2 is satisfied .$

Condition 3: Is $f (\frac{8}{3}) = \lim_{x \to \frac{8}{3}} f (x) ?$

$\begin{array}{l} f (\frac{32}{3}) = \frac{32}{3} = \lim_{x \to \frac{8}{3}} f (x) \\ \Rightarrow Condition 3 is satisfied . \end{array}$

Because all three conditions of continuity are satisfied at $x = \frac{8}{3},$ the function $f (x)$ is continuous at $x = \frac{8}{3} .$

Example 3

Determining Whether a Rational Function is Continuous at a Given Number

Determine whether the function $f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 25}{x - 5}$ is continuous at $x = 5.$

Solution

To determine if the function $f$ is continuous at $x = 5,$ we will determine if the three conditions of continuity are satisfied at $x = 5.$

Condition 1:

\begin{array}{l} f (5) does not exist . \\ \Rightarrow Condition 1 fails . \end{array}

There is no need to proceed further. Condition 2 fails at $x = 5.$ If any of the conditions of continuity are not satisfied at $x = 5,$ the function $f$ is not continuous at $x = 5.$

Analysis

See Figure 12. Notice that for Condition 2 we have

\begin{array}{l} \lim_{x \to 5} \frac{x^{2} - 25}{x - 5} = \lim_{x \to 3} \frac{(x - 5) (x + 5)}{x - 5} \\ = \lim_{x \to 5} (x + 5) \\ = 5 + 5 = 10 \\ \Rightarrow Condition 2 is satisfied . \end{array}

At $x = 5,$ there exists a removable discontinuity. See Figure 12.

Graph of an increasing function with a removable discontinuity at (5, 10). — Figure 12

Determining the Input Values for Which a Function Is Discontinuous

Now that we can identify continuous functions, jump discontinuities, and removable discontinuities, we will look at more complex functions to find discontinuities. Here, we will analyze a piecewise function to determine if any real numbers exist where the function is not continuous. A piecewise function may have discontinuities at the boundary points of the function as well as within the functions that make it up.

To determine the real numbers for which a piecewise function composed of polynomial functions is not continuous, recall that polynomial functions themselves are continuous on the set of real numbers. Any discontinuity would be at the boundary points. So we need to explore the three conditions of continuity at the boundary points of the piecewise function.

How To

Given a piecewise function, determine whether it is continuous at the boundary points.

For each boundary point $a$ of the piecewise function, determine the left- and right-hand limits as $x$ approaches $a,$ as well as the function value at $a .$
Check each condition for each value to determine if all three conditions are satisfied.
Determine whether each value satisfies condition 1: $f (a)$ exists.
Determine whether each value satisfies condition 2: $\lim_{x \to a} f (x)$ exists.
Determine whether each value satisfies condition 3: $\lim_{x \to a} f (x) = f (a) .$
If all three conditions are satisfied, the function is continuous at $x = a .$ If any one of the conditions fails, the function is not continuous at $x = a .$

Example 4

Determining the Input Values for Which a Piecewise Function Is Discontinuous

Determine whether the function $f$ is discontinuous for any real numbers.

f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} x + 1, & x < 2 \\ 3, & 2 \leq x < 4 \\ x^{2} - 11, & x \geq 4 \end{array}

Solution

The piecewise function is defined by three functions, which are all polynomial functions, $f (x) = x + 1$ on $x < 2,$ $f (x) = 3$ on $2 \leq x < 4,$ and $f (x) = x^{2} - 5$ on $x \geq 4.$ Polynomial functions are continuous everywhere. Any discontinuities would be at the boundary points, $x = 2$ and $x = 4.$

At $x = 2,$ let us check the three conditions of continuity.

Condition 1:

\begin{array}{l} f (2) = 3 \\ \Rightarrow Condition 1 is satisfied . \end{array}

Condition 2: Because a different function defines the output left and right of

x = 2,

does

\lim_{x \to 2^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 2^{+}} f (x) ?

Left-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 2^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 2^{-}} (x + 1) = 2 + 1 = 3$
Right-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 2^{+}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 2^{+}} 3 = 3$

Because $3 = 3$ , $\lim_{x \to 2^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 2^{+}} f (x)$

\Rightarrow Condition 2 is satisfied .

Condition 3:

\begin{array}{l} \lim_{x \to 2} f (x) = 3 = f (2) \\ \Rightarrow Condition 3 is satisfied . \end{array}

Because all three conditions are satisfied at $x = 2,$ the function $f (x)$ is continuous at $x = 2.$

At $x = 4,$ let us check the three conditions of continuity.

Condition 2: Because a different function defines the output left and right of

x = 4,

does

\lim_{x \to 4^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 4^{+}} f (x) ?

Left-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 4^{-}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 4^{-}} 3 = 3$
Right-hand limit: $\lim_{x \to 4^{+}} f (x) = \lim_{x \to 4^{+}} (x^{2} - 11) = 4^{2} - 11 = 5$

Because $3 \neq 5$ , $\lim_{x \to 4^{-}} f (x) \neq \lim_{x \to 4^{+}} f (x),$ so $\lim_{x \to 4} f (x)$ does not exist.

\Rightarrow Condition 2 fails .

Because one of the three conditions does not hold at $x = 4,$ the function $f (x)$ is discontinuous at $x = 4.$

Analysis

See Figure 13. At $x = 4,$ there exists a jump discontinuity. Notice that the function is continuous at $x = 2.$

Graph of a piecewise function that has disconuity at (4, 3). — Figure 13 Graph is continuous at $x = 2$ but shows a jump discontinuity at $x = 4.$

Determining Whether a Function Is Continuous

To determine whether a piecewise function is continuous or discontinuous, in addition to checking the boundary points, we must also check whether each of the functions that make up the piecewise function is continuous.

Example 5

Determining Whether a Piecewise Function Is Continuous

Determine whether the function below is continuous. If it is not, state the location and type of each discontinuity.

f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} \sin (x), & x < 0 \\ x^{3}, & x > 0 \end{array}

Solution

The two functions composing this piecewise function are $f (x) = \sin (x)$ on $x < 0$ and $f (x) = x^{3}$ on $x > 0.$ The sine function and all polynomial functions are continuous everywhere. Any discontinuities would be at the boundary point,

At $x = 0,$ let us check the three conditions of continuity.

Condition 1:

\begin{array}{l} f (0) does not exist . \\ \Rightarrow Condition 1 fails . \end{array}

Because all three conditions are not satisfied at $x = 0,$ the function $f (x)$ is discontinuous at $x = 0.$

Analysis

See Figure 14. There exists a removable discontinuity at $x = 0;$ $\lim_{x \to 0} f (x) = 0,$ thus the limit exists and is finite, but $f (a)$ does not exist.

Graph of a piecewise function where from negative infinity to 0 f(x) = sin(x) and from 0 to positive infinity f(x) = x^3. — Figure 14 Function has removable discontinuity at 0.

Key Concepts

A continuous function can be represented by a graph without holes or breaks.
A function whose graph has holes is a discontinuous function.
A function is continuous at a particular number if three conditions are met:
- Condition 1: $f (a)$ exists.
- Condition 2: $\lim_{x \to a} f (x)$ exists at $x = a .$
- Condition 3: $\lim_{x \to a} f (x) = f (a) .$
A function has a jump discontinuity if the left- and right-hand limits are different, causing the graph to “jump.”
A function has a removable discontinuity if it can be redefined at its discontinuous point to make it continuous. See Example 1.
Some functions, such as polynomial functions, are continuous everywhere. Other functions, such as logarithmic functions, are continuous on their domain. See Example 2 and Example 3.
For a piecewise function to be continuous each piece must be continuous on its part of the domain and the function as a whole must be continuous at the boundaries. See Example 4 and Example 5.

Section Exercises

Verbal

Exercise 1

State in your own words what it means for a function $f$ to be continuous at $x = c .$

Solution

Informally, if a function is continuous at $x = c,$ then there is no break in the graph of the function at $f (c),$ and $f (c)$ is defined.

Exercise 2

State in your own words what it means for a function to be continuous on the interval $(a, b) .$

Algebraic

For the following exercises, determine why the function $f$ is discontinuous at a given point $a$ on the graph. State which condition fails.

Exercise 3

$f (x) = \ln | x + 3 |, a = - 3$

Solution

discontinuous at $a = - 3$ ; $f (- 3)$ does not exist

Exercise 4

$f (x) = \ln | 5 x - 2 |, a = \frac{2}{5}$

Exercise 5

$f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 16}{x + 4}, a = - 4$

Solution

removable discontinuity at $a = - 4$ ; $f (- 4)$ is not defined

Exercise 6

$f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 16 x}{x}, a = 0$

Exercise 7

$f (x) = {\begin{cases} x, x \neq 3 \\ 2 x, x = 3 \end{cases} a = 3$

Solution

Discontinuous at $a = 3$ ; $\lim_{x \to 3} f (x) = 3,$ but $f (3) = 6,$ which is not equal to the limit.

Exercise 8

$f (x) = {\begin{cases} 5, x \neq 0 \\ 3, x = 0 \end{cases} a = 0$

Exercise 9

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} \frac{1}{2 - x}, & x \neq 2 \\ 3, & x = 2 \end{array} a = 2$

Solution

$\lim_{x \to 2} f (x)$ does not exist.

Exercise 10

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} \frac{1}{x + 6}, & x = - 6 \\ x^{2}, & x \neq - 6 \end{array} a = - 6$

Exercise 11

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} 3 + x, & x < 1 \\ x, & x = 1 \\ x^{2}, & x > 1 \end{array} a = 1$

Solution

$\lim_{x \to 1^{-}} f (x) = 4; \lim_{x \to 1^{+}} f (x) = 1$ . Therefore, $\lim_{x \to 1} f (x)$ does not exist.

Exercise 12

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} 3 - x, & x < 1 \\ x, & x = 1 \\ 2 x^{2}, & x > 1 \end{array} a = 1$

Exercise 13

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} 3 + 2 x, & x < 1 \\ x, & x = 1 \\ - x^{2}, & x > 1 \end{array} a = 1$

Solution

$\lim_{x \to 1^{-}} f (x) = 5 \neq \lim_{x \to 1^{+}} f (x) = - 1$ . Thus $\lim_{x \to 1} f (x)$ does not exist.

Exercise 14

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} x^{2}, & x < - 2 \\ 2 x + 1, & x = - 2 \\ x^{3}, & x > - 2 \end{array} a = - 2$

Exercise 15

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} \frac{x^{2} - 9}{x + 3}, & x < - 3 \\ x - 9, & x = - 3 \\ \frac{1}{x}, & x > - 3 \end{array} a = - 3$

Solution

$\lim_{x \to - 3^{-}} f (x) = - 6$ , $\lim_{x \to - 3^{+}} f (x) = - \frac{1}{3}$

Therefore, $\lim_{x \to - 3} f (x)$ does not exist.

Exercise 16

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} \frac{x^{2} - 9}{x + 3}, & x < - 3 \\ x - 9, & x = - 3 \\ - 6, & x > - 3 \end{array} a = 3$

Exercise 17

$f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 4}{x - 2}, a = 2$

Solution

$f (2)$ is not defined.

Exercise 18

$f (x) = \frac{25 - x^{2}}{x^{2} - 10 x + 25}, a = 5$

Exercise 19

$f (x) = \frac{x^{3} - 9 x}{x^{2} + 11 x + 24}, a = - 3$

Solution

$f (- 3)$ is not defined.

Exercise 20

$f (x) = \frac{x^{3} - 27}{x^{2} - 3 x}, a = 3$

Exercise 21

$f (x) = \frac{x}{| x |}, a = 0$

Solution

$f (0)$ is not defined.

Exercise 22

$f (x) = \frac{2 | x + 2 |}{x + 2}, a = - 2$

For the following exercises, determine whether or not the given function $f$ is continuous everywhere. If it is continuous everywhere it is defined, state for what range it is continuous. If it is discontinuous, state where it is discontinuous.

Exercise 23

$f (x) = x^{3} - 2 x - 15$

Solution

Continuous on $(- \infty, \infty)$

Exercise 24

$f (x) = \frac{x^{2} - 2 x - 15}{x - 5}$

Exercise 25

$f (x) = 2 \cdot 3^{x + 4}$

Solution

Continuous on $(- \infty, \infty)$

Exercise 26

$f (x) = −sin (3 x)$

Exercise 27

$f (x) = \frac{| x - 2 |}{x^{2} - 2 x}$

Solution

Discontinuous at $x = 0$ and $x = 2$

Exercise 28

$f (x) = \tan (x) + 2$

Exercise 29

$f (x) = 2 x + \frac{5}{x}$

Solution

Discontinuous at $x = 0$

Exercise 30

$f (x) = \log_{2} (x)$

Exercise 31

$f (x) = \ln x^{2}$

Solution

Continuous on $(0, \infty)$

Exercise 32

$f (x) = e^{2 x}$

Exercise 33

$f (x) = \sqrt{x - 4}$

Solution

Continuous on $[4, \infty)$

Exercise 34

$f (x) = \sec (x) - 3$ .

Exercise 35

$f (x) = x^{2} + \sin (x)$

Solution

Continuous on $(- \infty, \infty)$ .

Exercise 36

Determine the values of $b$ and $c$ such that the following function is continuous on the entire real number line.

$f (x) = {\begin{array}{l} x + 1, & 1 < x < 3 \\ x^{2} + b x + c, & | x - 2 | \geq 1 \end{array}$

Graphical

For the following exercises, refer to Figure 15. Each square represents one square unit. For each value of $a,$ determine which of the three conditions of continuity are satisfied at $x = a$ and which are not.

Graph of a piecewise function where at x = -3 the line is disconnected, at x = 2 there is a removable discontinuity, and at x = 4 there is a removable discontinuity and f(4) exists. — Figure 15

Exercise 37

$x = - 3$

Solution

1, but not 2 or 3

Exercise 38

$x = 2$

Exercise 39

$x = 4$

Solution

1 and 2, but not 3

For the following exercises, use a graphing utility to graph the function $f (x) = \sin (\frac{12 π}{x})$ as in Figure 16. Set the x-axis a short distance before and after 0 to illustrate the point of discontinuity.

Graph of the sinusodial function with a viewing window of [-10, 10] by [-1, 1]. — Figure 16

Exercise 40

Which conditions for continuity fail at the point of discontinuity?

Exercise 41

Evaluate $f (0) .$

Solution

$f (0)$ is undefined.

Exercise 42

Solve for $x$ if $f (x) = 0.$

Exercise 43

What is the domain of $f (x) ?$

Solution

$(- \infty, 0) \cup (0, \infty)$

For the following exercises, consider the function shown in Figure 17.

Graph of a piecewise function where at x = -1 the line is disconnected and at x = 1 there is a removable discontinuity. — Figure 17

Exercise 44

At what x-coordinates is the function discontinuous?

Exercise 45

What condition of continuity is violated at these points?

Solution

At $x = - 1,$ the limit does not exist. At $x = 1,$ $f (1)$ does not exist.

At $x = 2,$ there appears to be a vertical asymptote, and the limit does not exist.

Exercise 46

Consider the function shown in Figure 18. At what x-coordinates is the function discontinuous? What condition(s) of continuity were violated?

Graph of a piecewise function where at x = -1 the line is disconnected and where at x = 1 and x = 2 there are a removable discontinuities. — Figure 18

Exercise 47

Construct a function that passes through the origin with a constant slope of 1, with removable discontinuities at $x = - 7$ and $x = 1.$

Solution

$\frac{x^{3} + 6 x^{2} - 7 x}{(x + 7) (x - 1)}$

Exercise 48

The function $f (x) = \frac{x^{3} - 1}{x - 1}$ is graphed in Figure 19. It appears to be continuous on the interval $[- 3, 3],$ but there is an x-value on that interval at which the function is discontinuous. Determine the value of $x$ at which the function is discontinuous, and explain the pitfall of utilizing technology when considering continuity of a function by examining its graph.

Graph of the function f(x) = (x^3 - 1)/(x-1). — Figure 19

Exercise 49

Find the limit $\lim_{x \to 1} f (x)$ and determine if the following function is continuous at $x = 1 :$

f x = {\begin{array}{l} x^{2} + 4 & x \neq 1 \\ 2 & x = 1 \end{array}

Solution

The function is discontinuous at $x = 1$ because the limit as $x$ approaches 1 is 5 and $f (1) = 2.$

Exercise 50

The graph of $f (x) = \frac{\sin (2 x)}{x}$ is shown in Figure 20. Is the function $f (x)$ continuous at $x = 0 ?$ Why or why not?

Graph of the function f(x) = sin(2x)/x with a viewing window of [-4.5, 4.5] by [-1, 2.5] — Figure 20

continuous function

a function that has no holes or breaks in its graph

discontinuous function

a function that is not continuous at

x = a

jump discontinuity

a point of discontinuity in a function

f (x)

x = a

where both the left and right-hand limits exist, but

\lim_{x \to a^{-}} f (x) \neq \lim_{x \to a^{+}} f (x)

removable discontinuity

a point of discontinuity in a function

f (x)

where the function is discontinuous, but can be redefined to make it continuous