Continuitv

A graph is continuous if you can draw itwithout lifting your pencil from the paper. That is obviously
not rigorous enough for mathematicians and the 'rules'they have defined to prove
continuity are:
These conditions are stated generally for continuity at x a
=

t. "f (a) exists i.e. that .x is defined at a

[Link](x) existswhichyourearntintherasttessonoccurswtren,l$
.f(x)=]yy.f(x)
3. hm f (x) = (o) in other words the limit is the same as the value of the functi an at x = a
"f

There are different forms of discontinuity and you will also be required to identify which
type is
applicable.

Example 1
The graph of f is sketched on the right. This is to help you understand at the beginning, it should not
usually be necessary.

f,n;Z x <2 { &*)

I

-f(x)=1*t -Z 2<x<3
lz*-,
I
s x>3

{a} ls /(x) continuous al x = 2?

Condition L

Atx=2weuse _f(x)=x'-2
"f
(2) = (2)' -2 so f (a) is defined there and condition 1 is satisfied.
Condition 2
Forthe limit from the left we use J. +2 ,r* 1l*2 =2
-f(x) = .r+2
For the limit from the right we use .f (x) = x, -z ]g(r'-2)=22 -2=2
Because the limit from the left equals the limit from the right, the limit
exists
(x)=2 and condition 2 is satisfied.
\ty;"f
[Link] 3

!y;f (x) = f (2) = 2 The vatue of the function and the limit of the function at
x = 2 are both equal to 2 so condition 3 is satisfied.

/(x) is continuous atx = 2

(b) ls /(r) continuous at r= 3?

1.f(3) = 2(3) * 5 = 11 Use /(x) = 2x + 5
2. lim
I+3-
f(x)=3'-2=7 Use/("r) = x' *2
]t+ft*l =2(3)+5=11 Usef(x) = 2x * 5
The limit as .r approaches 3 does not exist so there is no need to go any further.
This is known as a iump discontinuity and cannot be removed. This usually
happens when condition
2 is not satisfied.
 k,,d e Tkd

Example 2 up)
l2x+s x<-1
.f(x)=lx'+Z r>-1
ls x=-1

Discuss the continuity of f .(Note the different phasing of question)

The point where things are happening is obviously x
= -1.
ls r continuous at .r = -1?
1. /(-1) =s
f (-1) exists and step i. is satisfied

2. liffi "f
(x) = 2(-1) + 5 = 3

frrl/fri=(-1)' +2=3

,191"f(r) =
r
The limit as n approaches -1 exists and step Z is satisfied.

r. lim /(x) = 3 but .f(-1) = 5

Step 3 is not satisfied

The function is not continuous at the point x =

-1. This is known as a removable (or hole)
l
discontinuity. This usually occurs when steps and 2 are satisfied but not step 3 (except for oo limits)
The correct way to answer this question is:
There is a removable discontinuity at x = -1 otherwise the function is continuous everywhere,

Sometimes the equation(s) are given and not the graph. Sometimes the graph is given and not
the
equations:
Example 3

Discuss the continuity of this function.

k,it'l
At x: -1
1. /(-1) = 0 /(-1) exists

2. lim "f(x)=.S./{r;=t so jg1,,f(r) = t

The limit at x = -1 exists
3. lim f(x)* f (-t)
Although they both exist they are not equal to each other so the function is not continuous at
4

Atx=3
1. /(3) = 1 The function is defined at x= 3

2. lim .f (x) =l; lim f (x) = ) The limit does not exist at x : 3
r+3- x+3*
There is a removable discontinuity atx = -1and a jump discontinuity atx = 3. Otherwise the
function is continuous everywhere

Rational functions
lRemember these are just expressions that are fractions)
This one is an old friend from limits section:

Example 4
x'-49
l{xl=
x-l
Comment on the continuity of this function.
Any problems will occur at x = 7
., \ x'-49 (x-7)(x+7)
llv\-

x -7 (x-7)
L. f(7) does not exist substitution would result in division by zero
which is not allowed

,. ,r^(x-7)(x+7)
t_+7 (x_7) =7 +7 :t4
The function has a removable discontinuity at x= 7, Otherwise it is continuous everywhere.

Functiong with a vertical asvmptote

Rational functions could have a vertical asymptote. This means the value of the function would not
be defined and the limit would approach *
which we consider to not be a value so does not exist.
Example 5

J
i\:
2 tft
Discuss the continuit y = x-l-
of f (x)
There is a vertical asymptote at r = 1
1. f (L) does not exist.
( t \
z. Iim I ' I does not exist.
,*r \x_1/
f(r) is continuous everywhere except at x= 1.
 This is a form of discontinuity which you have not encountered before. lt is known as an infinite
discontinuity. I have attached a document which discusses this form of continuity. lt is
mathematically correct and will get full marks in a test or exam, despite not being in your textbook.
There is a vertical asymptote at x = L.

It is importont that to get lull marks in the exam, you need to prove rigorously thot
there is o discontinuity ond don't just say ' because it is obvious
from the groph,t
It is possible to discuss discontinuity for many rational functions without sketching the graph. (Feel
free to confirm these results with a graph)
Example 6

Discuss the continuity of /(x) = +

x+')
Thefunction will not bedefined where x *z= 0 which is where x = -2
Therefore the graph will not be defined at x =
-z andthe limyq)5
x-+a
oo", not exist.
,
The graph is continuous everywhere except at x = -2.
There is an infinite discontinuity at x =
-Z
There is a vertical asymptote (VA) at x =
-2.
Example 7

Discuss the continuity

'
r)t J\x) =
3x+6
r, _gr_tO
?, \ 3x+6 3(x+2\
./(x)=--;-= .---#-
x'-3x-10 (x+2)(x-5) isnotdefinedfor
- x -5 = 0

At.x = -2
7. f (-2) does not exist.

2, lim
3(x +2) 3 3
x-+a (x*2)(x_5) =+=_

(-2-s) -7
Atx=5
1.f (5) does not exist

2. lim f (x) * hq1/(x) so liml(x) does not exist

The graph is defined everywhere except at fi x=

= -Z and S.
At.x : -2there is a removable discontinuity.
There is an infinite discontinuity at r = 5
There is a vertical asymptote at x = S

4
Ex?nlple 8
lxl
Discuss the continuity of S(r) :
}r
Absolute values are always easiest to handle if we consider each side separately:

-r<0
Atx = 0
1. g(0) = 1

2. Iim g(x) = lim g(x) so limg(x) does exist

r-)0 -r-+0+ .Y-'0
g(r) is contlnuous everywhere except at x= 0 where there is a jump discontinuity.

Provided you are dealing with linear functions, quadratic, cubic or general polynomial functions it is
quite easy to see where the discontinuities are before one goes into the rigorous proof.

For we woufd examine x = 1 and x = 2

(the function has a removable discontinuity at x= 1 but is continuous at x= 2)

Now that you have mastered the concept of continuity you are ready for....

Questions with a bit more imasination.

Example 9

lf (x) = |
I cx+3 x <2
f ^ x>2-
is continuous everywhere, find c
[3x+c
(The clue must be at-x = 2!)
The function is continuous so cx * 3 = 3x * c
Atx = 2 c(2) * 3 = 3(2) + c
2c*3=6*c
2c-c^=_6-3
L*J

Example 10
,r<l
fax+5
tf f(x)=lxt_ bx+9 l<x<4
I
and / is continuous everywhere, find values for

lot-b*-l x>4
a andb
ac+5=x2 -bx+9
: a(l)+5 =l*b +9
f(x) is continuous at x 1 : (equation 1)
a+5 =ro-b
a+b =5
 x2 *b)c+9 = ax2 -bx-7

U)'z - 4b +9 = a(4)2 - b(4) -7

16 * 4b +9 =l6a - 4b -7
f(x) is continuous at x = 4: 9+ l6 = I6a - 7
25:16a*7
32=l6a
a=2
Substitute a= Zinloequation landget2 + b = 5 so b = 3
a=2andb=3
Homework:
P72 Exercise 4.3
There are 8 questions, some with a few parts. This is a lot of work but I feel each question teaches
something. Please try to do all of them.