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Understanding Continuity and Derivatives

Q: How does the limit process in calculus differentiate between continuous and discontinuous functions at a point?

The limit process assesses continuity at a point by ensuring that the limit of the function as it approaches a point equals the function's value at that point. If lim x→a f(x) = f(a), the function is continuous at x = a. If it does not, or if the function is undefined at that point, it indicates discontinuity .

Q: How do the concepts of limit and derivative relate in defining the slope of a tangent line?

The slope of a tangent line is defined as the derivative of the function at a point, which involves taking the limit of the slopes of secant lines as the interval approaches zero. This is formalized by the derivative definition, f'(x) = lim(h→0)(f(x+h)−f(x))/h, representing the instantaneous rate of change .

Q: What is the significance of the Intermediate Value Theorem in proving the existence of a solution for an equation within an interval?

The Intermediate Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] and takes on different signs at the endpoints, then it must cross zero at some point between a and b. This implies that f(x) = 0 has at least one solution within (a, b), as continuous functions cannot skip values .

Q: In which cases could a function be non-differentiable even if it is continuous, and why?

A function can be continuous but not differentiable at points where there are sharp corners or cusps, at vertical tangent lines where the slope is infinite, or at points where the limit does not exist. For example, the function is non-differentiable at points where it has jumps or when approaching an endpoint from one direction .

Q: How can the slope of a secant line be used to approximate instantaneous velocity, and what are its limitations?

The slope of the secant line approximates instantaneous velocity by measuring average velocity over a small time interval. However, its accuracy improves as the interval decreases. Limitations include the approximation becoming less accurate if intervals are too large, as it doesn't reflect instantaneous change well. Precise instantaneous velocity needs taking the limit of secant slopes .

Q: Explain how a tangent line equation is derived for a function given a particular point and the derivative at that point.

To derive the tangent line equation at a certain point, use the point-slope form y−y1 = m(x−x1), where m is the slope from the derivative at that point and (x1, y1) is the point on the function. Given f(4) = 9 and f'(4) = 5 for the function, the tangent line equation becomes y−9 = 5(x−4).

Q: How does the difference quotient help in estimating the derivative of a function at a point?

The difference quotient approximates the derivative of a function at a point by calculating the average rate of change over a small interval around the point. It is defined as (f(x+h)−f(x))/h, and as h approaches zero, this approximates the instantaneous rate of change or the slope of the tangent line .

Q: What conditions are necessary for a rational function to be continuous at a given point?

A rational function is continuous at a point if the denominator is not zero at that point. If a function is of the form f(x) = p(x)/q(x), the point x where q(x) ≠ 0 within the domain of f ensures continuity at x. For example, f(x) = 2/(x−3) is continuous at all x except x = 3, where it is undefined .

Q: Why is the concept of a removable discontinuity relevant when assessing the continuity of a function?

A removable discontinuity occurs at a point where the limit of the function exists, but the function is not defined at that point. Understanding removable discontinuities helps in assessing function optimization and simplifying expressions, as the discontinuity can often be "fixed" by appropriately redefining the function at that point .

Q: Why is the concept of secant lines crucial when introducing the derivative?

Secant lines provide a geometric interpretation of average change over an interval, which is fundamental to understanding derivatives. By examining secant lines and taking the limit as the interval approaches zero, the derivative is introduced as the slope of the tangent to the graph at a point, representing an instantaneous rate of change .

This document provides worksheets for Math 180 that cover continuity, derivatives, and the limit definition of the derivative. It includes questions about continuity and discontinuity of functions, limits, the intermediate value theorem, derivatives, difference quotients, and applying the limit definition of the derivative. The questions guide students through examples and activities to build their understanding of key calculus concepts.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

148 views8 pages

Understanding Continuity and Derivatives

Uploaded by

Deep Prajapati

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Module 2 Content Sheet Part 1
Introducing the Derivative

Math 180 Worksheets

Keywords: continuity, graphing, intermediate value theorem, limit definition of the deriva-
tive, secant lines

3 Module 2 Content Sheet Part 1

2.6 Continuity
3.1 Introducing the Derivative
3.2 Working with Derivatives

� Watch the Panopto Video on Introduction to Continuous Functions

2.6 Continuity In words, a function f is continuous at a number a if the graph can be

sketched without lifting a pencil at and near the point a.
Question 1 Sketch two graphs, one that is continuous everywhere, another that is not con-
tinuous at a point.

Definition: A function f is continuous at a number a if lim f (x) = f (a).

x!a

Compare the definition with your two graphs above, does the continuous function satisfy
lim f (x) = f (a) for all a? and what condition does your example of a non continuous
x!a
function not satisfy?

Most familiar functions are continuous on their domain. Every polynomial function is
continuous, as are the sine, cosine, and exponential functions. The restriction for rational
functions, tangent, secant, logarithms are that they are only continuous on their domain.

18
Math 180 Worksheets
W3

2
For example: f (x) = is a rational function that is continuous at all points x 6= 3.
x 3
At x = 3 the function is undefined undefined, and thus cannot be continuous.

Question 2 The graph of the function f is drawn below. At which points is f not continu-
ous?

x2 1
Question 3 Let f (x) = . Does lim f (x) exist? Is f continuous at x = 1?
2x + 2 x! 1

19
Math 180 Worksheets
W3

Check your answers: Q2 Not continuous at x = 5, 2, 3, and 5.

Q3 lim f (x) = 1, but since f is undefined at x = 1, the function is not continuous
x! 1
at x = 1.

Question 4 A function f is defined by

8
>
> sin x if x<0
<
1 if x=0
f (x) =
>
> x2 if 0 < x < 2⇡
:
2 + cos x if x 2⇡

Do the following limits exist? Is f continuous at

(a) limx!0 f (x) (a) x = 0?

(b) limx!2⇡ f (x) (b) x = 2⇡?

We call one of these points a removable discontinuity, and the other a jump discontinuity.
Which one is which? Explain what removable means in this context.

� Watch the Panopto Video on the Intermediate Value Theorem

20
Math 180 Worksheets
W3

Check your answers to Q4: Removable discontinuity at x = 0 since the limit at x = 0

does exist but is not equal to f (0). Jump discontinuity at x = 2⇡, the left and right limit
are di↵erent at x = 2⇡, the graph has a jump.

Question 5 A continuous function y = f (x) is known to be negative at x = 0 and positive at

x = 1. Why does the equation f (x) = 0 have at least one solution between x = 0 and x = 1?
Illustrate with a sketch. Why is being continuous an important property? (Intermediate
Value Theorem)

Theorem 3 (Intermediate Value Theorem) Suppose f is continuous on the interval [a, b]

and L is a number strictly between f (a) and f (b). Then there is a number c in (a, b)
such that f (c) = L. In other words, continuous functions cannot skip values.

Question 6 The polynomial p(x) = x2 +x 1 has a zero in the interval (0, 1). True? False?
Apply the Intermediate Value Theorem. What is L? the interval (a, b)? c?

� Watch the Panopto Video on Introduction to Derivatives

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W3

3.1 Introducing the Derivative

We saw that we can represent average rate of change as a slope of a secant line, and that
instantaneous rate of change can be represented as a limit of slopes of secant lines. We will
define derivatives using the idea finding instantaneous rates of change.

Question 7 (a) Fill in he blanks: Let (a, ) and (a + h, ) be points on the graph
of a function y = f (x).

(b) Find the slope of the secant line through the points in part (a). This slope is called the
di↵erence quotient and represents the average rate of change between x = a and x = a + h.

(d) Going back to an example we saw earlier. Dragon D Sparky’s distance between him
and the eel is given by the function f (t) = 2t2 + 10 measured in feet, and time in seconds.
Find Sparky’s instantaneous velocity in ft/s at t = 2 seconds assuming the eel is not moving.

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Math 180 Worksheets
W3

Check your answers to Q7.

(a) (a, f (a)) and (a + h, f (a + h).
(b) f (x+h)h f (x) is the slope of a secant line and represents the average rate of change,
whereas (c) f 0 (x) = limh!0 f (x+h)h f (x) is the slope of a tangent line and represents the
instantaneous rate of change.
(d) The answer is 8ft/sec.
f (x + h) f (x) y dy
Definition f 0 (x) = lim = lim = provided the limit does exist.
h!0 h h!0 x dx
f 0 (x) is called the derivative of f at x. A function is called di↵erentiable if the derivative
f’(x) exists at a point.

Question 8 Find the equation of the line tangent to the graph of y = f (t) at t = 4, given
that f (4) = 9, and f 0 (4) = 5.

Question 9 At which points is f not di↵erentiable?

Check at x = ⇡, x = 4 and x = 5.

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Math 180 Worksheets
W3

Check your answers: Q8 y 9 = 5(x 4), Q9 The function is not di↵erentiable at

x = ⇡ -¿ there is a jump and the limit of the di↵erence quotient yields an infinite slope as
x approaches ⇡ from the left. Not di↵erentiable at x = 4, try to draw a tangent line here,
the di↵erence quotient has no limit because there are two possible slopes from the left and
right. Not di↵erentiable at x = 5 because the slope is infinite.

Question 10 The number f (t) of locations of a popular co↵eehouse chain is given in the
table. Estimate f 0 (2001) by finding the average rate of growth from 2000 to 2002.

Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

f(t) 1886 2135 3501 4709 5886

Question 11 Put the following slopes in order from smallest to largest.

f (b) f (a)
f 0 (a), f 0 (b), and
b a

3.2 Working with Derivatives

Question 12 Hands On Activity - use the chart on the next page to follow the step by step
use of the limit definition to find f 0 (x) for f (x) = 3x2 x.
f (x + h) f (x) y dy
Use the definition: f 0 (x) = lim = lim = provided the limit does
h!0 h h!0 x dx
exist.

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Math 180 Worksheets
W3

Calculus I Definition of Derivative

2. f (x) = 3x2 x. Find f 0 (x) by circling the correct next step from each row. In the third column, explain
why this is the correct step and what caused the error in the incorrect step.

f (x + h) f (x) f (x + h) f (x)
Step 1. lim lim answer
h 0 h h 2 h

3(x + h)2 x + h + (3x2 x) 3(x + h)2 x h (3x2 x)

Step 2. lim lim answer
h 0 h h 0 h

3(x2 + 2xh + h2 ) x h (3x2 x) 3(x2 + h2 ) x h (3x2 x)

Step 3. lim lim answer
h 0 h h 0 h

3x2 + 2xh + h2 x h (3x2 x) 3x2 + 6xh + 3h2 x h (3x2 x)

Step 4. lim lim answer
h 0 h h 0 h

6xh + 3h2 h 3h2 + 6xh h 2x

Step 5. lim lim answer
h 0 h h 0 h

3h2 + 6xh h h(3h + 6x 1)

Step 6. lim answer
h h 0 h

lim 3h + 6x 1 lim 3h + 6h 1
Step 7. h 0 h 0 answer

6x 6x 1
Step 8. answer

Active Calculus BOALA by Boulder-Omaha Active Learning Alliance is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. See [Link]
for details.

f (b) f (a)
2
Check your answers: Q 10 f 0 (2001) ⇡ 1192.5 co↵ee locations per year. Q11 f 0 (a) < < f 0 (b).
b a
Q12 Do you see a pattern in your choices?

Common questions