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Understanding Function Continuity

This document discusses continuity of functions. It defines a continuous function as one that can be drawn in a single stroke without picking up the pencil. It notes that a function is continuous at a point if the limit matches the function value. There are two types of discontinuities: essential discontinuities which cannot be removed, and removable discontinuities where the discontinuity can be filled in to create a continuous function. The intermediate value theorem states that if a function is continuous over an interval, it must take on all values between the function values at the endpoints.

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6 views10 pages

Understanding Function Continuity

This document discusses continuity of functions. It defines a continuous function as one that can be drawn in a single stroke without picking up the pencil. It notes that a function is continuous at a point if the limit matches the function value. There are two types of discontinuities: essential discontinuities which cannot be removed, and removable discontinuities where the discontinuity can be filled in to create a continuous function. The intermediate value theorem states that if a function is continuous over an interval, it must take on all values between the function values at the endpoints.

Uploaded by

Temesgen Bihonegn
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

2.

3 Continuity
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Greg Kelly, Hanford High School, Richland, Washington Photo by Vickie Kelly, 2002
Most of the techniques of calculus require that functions
be continuous. A function is continuous if you can draw it
in one motion without picking up your pencil.

A function is continuous at a point if the limit is the same


as the value of the function.
This function has discontinuities
at x=1 and x=2.
It is continuous at x=0 and x=4,
because the one-sided limits
match the value of the function
1 2 3 4
1
2
jump
infinite
oscillating
Essential Discontinuities:
Removable Discontinuities:
(You can fill the hole.)

Removing a discontinuity:
( )
3
2
1
1
x
f x
x

=

has a discontinuity at . 1 x =
Write an extended function that is continuous
at . 1 x =
3
2
1
1
lim
1
x
x
x

( )( )
( )( )
2
1
1
1
lim
1 1
x
x
x x
x x


+ +
=
+
1 1 1
2
+ +
=
3
2
=
( )
3
2
1
, 1
1
3
, 1
2
x
x
x
f x
x

=

Note: There is another


discontinuity at that can
not be removed.
1 x =
Removing a discontinuity:
( )
3
2
1
, 1
1
3
, 1
2
x
x
x
f x
x

=

Note: There is another


discontinuity at that can
not be removed.
1 x =
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5

Continuous functions can be added, subtracted, multiplied,


divided and multiplied by a constant, and the new function
remains continuous.
Also: Composites of continuous functions are continuous.
examples:
( )
2
sin y x = cos y x =

Intermediate Value Theorem


If a function is continuous between a and b, then it takes
on every value between and .
( )
f a
( )
f b
a b
( )
f a
( )
f b
Because the function is
continuous, it must take on
every y value between
and .
( )
f a
( )
f b

Example 5:
Is any real number exactly one less than its cube?
(Note that this doesnt ask what the number is, only if it exists.)
3
1 x x =
3
0 1 x x =
( )
3
1 f x x x =
( )
1 1 f =
( )
2 5 f =
Since f is a continuous function, by the
intermediate value theorem it must
take on every value between -1 and 5.
Therefore there must be at least one
solution between 1 and 2.

Use your calculator to find an approximate solution.


( )
3
solve 1, x x x =
F2 1: solve
1.32472
This example was graphed
on the classic TI-89. You
can not change the
resolution on the Titanium
Edition.
Graphing calculators can sometimes make non-
continuous functions appear continuous.
Graph:
( )
floor y x =
CATALOG
F floor(
Note resolution.
The calculator connects the dots
which covers up the discontinuities.

Graphing calculators can make non-continuous


functions appear continuous.
Graph:
( )
floor y x =
CATALOG
F floor(
GRAPH
The open and closed circles do not
show, but we can see the
discontinuities.
t
If we change the plot style
to dot and the resolution
to 1, then we get a graph
that is closer to the
correct floor graph.

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