Continuity and Differentiability
Class 11 Mathematics
Presented by: [Your Name]
Board: CBSE
Based on: NCERT Curriculum
Date: [Add date]
Learning Objectives
• Understand the concept of continuity at a
point and in an interval.
• Explore the graphical meaning of continuity.
• Learn the definition and interpretation of
differentiability.
• Understand the relationship between
continuity and differentiability.
• Apply rules of differentiation on standard
functions.
Introduction to Continuity
• Continuity is a property of a function that
indicates it does not have abrupt changes.
• A function is continuous at a point if its graph
can be drawn without lifting the pencil.
• Discontinuity occurs when there is a break or
jump in the graph.
• Continuous functions are important in calculus
for defining integrals and derivatives.
• The concept of limits is closely related to
Mathematical Definition of
Continuity
• A function f(x) is continuous at x = a if:
• 1. f(a) is defined.
• 2. Limit of f(x) as x approaches a exists.
• 3. The value of the limit equals f(a).
• If any condition fails, function is discontinuous
at that point.
• Continuity can also be defined over open or
closed intervals.
Graphical Interpretation of
Continuity
• Graphs of continuous functions are smooth
without breaks.
• Jump discontinuity causes a sudden gap in the
graph.
• Removable discontinuity occurs when a point
is missing but the limit exists.
• Infinite discontinuity happens when function
approaches infinity near the point.
• Examples: Continuous - f(x) = x^2,
Types of Discontinuity
• 1. Removable Discontinuity: Limit exists but
function value is missing or different.
• 2. Jump Discontinuity: Left-hand and right-
hand limits exist but are not equal.
• 3. Infinite Discontinuity: Function tends to
infinity near the point.
• 4. Oscillatory Discontinuity: Function oscillates
near the point and limit doesn't exist.
• Important for identifying points where
Algebra of Continuous Functions
• If f(x) and g(x) are continuous at x = a, then:
• 1. f(x) + g(x) is continuous at x = a.
• 2. f(x) - g(x) is continuous at x = a.
• 3. f(x) × g(x) is continuous at x = a.
• 4. f(x)/g(x) is continuous at x = a, provided g(a)
≠ 0.
• Helps in proving continuity of complex
functions using simpler ones.
Continuity of Standard Functions
• Polynomial functions are continuous
everywhere.
• Rational functions are continuous at all points
where denominator ≠ 0.
• Trigonometric functions are continuous in
their domain.
• Exponential and logarithmic functions are
continuous in their domain.
• Piecewise functions may be discontinuous at
Introduction to Differentiability
• A function is differentiable at a point if it has a
defined derivative there.
• Geometrically, it means the function has a
well-defined tangent at that point.
• If a function is differentiable at a point, it must
be continuous there.
• Differentiability implies smoothness and no
sharp turns.
• Not all continuous functions are differentiable.
Continuity vs. Differentiability
• Every differentiable function is continuous.
• But a continuous function may not be
differentiable.
• Example: f(x) = |x| is continuous at x = 0 but
not differentiable there.
• Sharp corners or cusps indicate non-
differentiability.
• Use left-hand and right-hand derivatives to
check differentiability.
Derivative from First Principles
• The derivative of f(x) at x = a is defined as:
• f'(a) = lim(h→0) [f(a+h) - f(a)] / h
• This is known as the first principle or definition
of derivative.
• Helps understand the rate of change at a
point.
• Used to derive formulas for standard
functions.
Derivatives of Standard Functions
• 1. d/dx (x^n) = n*x^(n-1)
• 2. d/dx (sin x) = cos x
• 3. d/dx (cos x) = -sin x
• 4. d/dx (e^x) = e^x
• 5. d/dx (ln x) = 1/x
• 6. d/dx (a^x) = a^x * ln a
Rules of Differentiation
• 1. Sum Rule: d/dx [f(x) + g(x)] = f'(x) + g'(x)
• 2. Difference Rule: d/dx [f(x) - g(x)] = f'(x) -
g'(x)
• 3. Product Rule: d/dx [f(x) * g(x)] = f'(x)g(x) +
f(x)g'(x)
• 4. Quotient Rule: d/dx [f(x)/g(x)] = [f'(x)g(x) -
f(x)g'(x)] / g(x)^2
• 5. Chain Rule: d/dx f(g(x)) = f'(g(x)) * g'(x)
Examples and Solved Problems
• Example 1: f(x) = x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x + 1; f'(x) =
3x^2 + 4x - 5
• Example 2: f(x) = sin(x) * e^x; use product rule.
• Example 3: f(x) = ln(x^2 + 1); use chain rule.
• Example 4: Check differentiability of f(x) = |x|
at x = 0.
• Show step-by-step differentiation for clarity.
• Practice problems reinforce concepts and
Important Theorems
• 1. Rolle’s Theorem: If a function is continuous
and differentiable on [a, b], and f(a) = f(b),
then f'(c) = 0 for some c in (a, b).
• 2. Mean Value Theorem: If f is continuous on
[a, b] and differentiable on (a, b), then f'(c) =
[f(b) - f(a)] / (b - a).
• These theorems form the basis for further
results in calculus.
• Conditions of theorems must be strictly