A function f is continuous at the point x = a if

the following are true:

) ( ) is defined i f a
) lim ( ) exists
x a
ii f x

) lim ( ) ( )
x a
iii f x f a

=
a
f(a)
At which value(s) of x is the given function
discontinuous?
1. ( ) 2 f x x = +
2
9
2. ( )
3
x
g x
x

=
+
Continuous everywhere
Continuous everywhere
except at
3 x =
( 3) is undefined g
lim( 2) 2
x a
x a

+ = +
and so lim ( ) ( )
x a
f x f a

=
-4 -2 2 4
-2
2
4
6
-6 -4 -2 2 4
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
2
4
Example
2, if 1
3. ( )
1, if 1
x x
h x
x
+ >

1
lim ( )
x
h x

and
Thus h is not cont. at x=1.
1 =
1
lim ( )
x
h x
+

3 =
h is continuous everywhere else
1, if 0
4. ( )
1, if 0
x
F x
x
s

>

0
lim ( )
x
F x
+

1 =

and
0
lim ( )
x
F x

1 =
Thus F is not cont. at 0. x =
F is continuous everywhere else
-2 2 4
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
4
5
-10 -5 5 10
-3
-2
-1
1
2
3
Continuous Functions
A polynomial function y = P(x) is continuous at
every point x.
A rational function is continuous
at every point x in its domain.
( )
( )
( )
p x
R x
q x
=
If f and g are continuous at x = a, then
( )
, , and ( ) 0 are continuous
at
f
f g fg g a
g
x a
=
=
Overview of Problems
1 ( )
= Where tan is continuous? y x
2 ( )
|
|
| |
=
|

\ .
2
1
Where f sin is continuous?
1
3
( ) ( )

= =

=
2
How must f 0 be determined so that f , 0,
1
is continuous at 0?
x x
x x
x
x
4
( ) ( )
( )

= = = =
+
| |
= =
|
\ .
2
0 0
0
Which of the following functions have removable
singularities at the indicated points?
2 8 1
a) f , 2, b) g , 1
2 1
1
c) h sin , 0
x x x
x x x x
x x
t t t
t
( )
= Show that the equation sin e has many solutions.
x
x 5
Continuity
( )
Where the function tan is continuous? y x =
Problem 1
Solution
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
sin
The function tan is continuous whenever cos 0.
cos
Hence tan is continuous at , .
2
x
y x x
x
y x x n n
t
t
= = =
= = + e
Continuity
( )
2
1
Where the function f sin is continuous?
1
|
|
| |
=
|

\ .
Problem 2
Solution
( )
2
1
The function f sin is continuous at all points
1
where it takes finite values.
|
|
| |
=
|

\ .
2 2
1 1
If 1, is not finite, and sin is undefined.
1 1
|
| |
| |
=
|

\ .
2 2
1 1
If 1, is finite, and sin is defined and also finite.
1 1
|
| |
| |
=
|

\ .
2
1
Hence sin is continuous for 1.
1
|
|
| |
=
|

\ .
Continuity
( )
( )
2
How must f 0 be determined so that the function
f , 0, is continuous at 0?
1
x x
x x x
x

= = =

Problem 3
Solution
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
( )
0
0
0
0
2
0 0 0
Condition for continuity of a function f at a point is:
limf f . Hence f 0 must satisfy f 0 limf .
1
Hence f 0 lim lim lim 0.
1 1
x x x
x x x
x
x x x
x x
x x
x
x x


= =

= = = =

Continuity
( )
( )
0
0
A number for which an expression f either is undefined or
infinite is called a of the function f . The singularity is
said to be , if f can be defi
singularity
removab ned in such a way le that
x x
x
0

the function f becomes continous at . x x =
( )
( )
( )
2
0
0
0
Which of the following functions have removable
singularities at the indicated points?
2 8
a) f , 2
2
1
b) g , 1
1
1
c) h sin , 0
x x
x x
x
x
x x
x
t t t
t

= =
+

= =

| |
= =
|
\ .
Problem 4
Answer
Removable
Removable
Not removable
Continuity
( )
Show that the equation sin e has
inifinitely many solutions.
x
x =
( )
Observe that 0 e 1 for 0, and that sin 1 , .
2
n
x
x n n
t
t
| |
< < < + = e
|
\ .
( )
( )
Hence f 0 for if is an odd negative number
2
and f 0 for if is an even negative number.
2
x x n n
x x n n
t
t
t
t
< = +
> = +
( )
We conclude that every interval 2 , 2 1 , and 0, contains
2 2
a solution of the original equation. Hence there are infinitely many solutions.
n n n n
t t
t t
| |
+ + + e <
|
\ .
Problem 5
Solution ( ) ( ) ( )
sin e f sin e 0.
x x
x x x = = =
By the intermediate Value Theorem, a continuous function takes
any value between any two of its values. I.e. it suffices to show
that the function f changes its sign infinitely often.