Limits & Continuity

1.4 Continuity
Continuity from PreCalculus

Continuity from Calculus

A function is said to be continuous at c if its graph

passes through the point at x = c without a hole or
a jump

A function f is continuous at c if the following three

conditions hold:
1. f(c) is defined
2. lim f ( x) exists
x c

3. lim f ( x) f (c)

x c

f is discontinuous at c if one or more of these

conditions fails to be true.
f(c)

Which Functions Are Continuous?

Continuous at c
If functions f and g are continuous at c, then the
following are also continuous at c:

1. f + g

f(c)

2. a f

[for any constant a]

3. f g

4. f/g

[if g(c) 0]

5. f(g(x))

[for f continuous at g(c)]

Discontinuous at c
y

f(c)

Discontinuous at c

All polynomial functions are continuous. Rational

functions are not continuous when the denominator =
0 (vertical asymptote). Piece-wise functions have the
potential to be continuous or not.
The Calculus
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Limits & Continuity

1.4 Continuity
Ex A: Determine if each function is continuous.
If discontinuous, state why.

Ex B: Determine if each function is continuous. If

discontinuous, state where it is discontinuous and
why.

#1)
#1)

f(x) = x3 3x2 x + 3

#2)

() = (1)2

#3)

2 + 1
() = {
2 + 9

#4)

2 + 1
() = {
5 1

#2)

< 2
2

#3)

< 4
4

The Calculus
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Limits & Continuity

1.4A Continuity
A: Determine whether each function is continuous at
c. If discontinuous, state why.
#1)

B: Determine whether each function is continuous.

If discontinuous, state where it is discontinuous.
(Youve graphed some of these functions on previous
homework.)
#5) () = 6 + 8

#2)

#6) () =

+2
2

#3)

#7) () =

#4)

#8) () = {
6

2 +29+28

< 0
0

The Calculus
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Limits & Continuity

1.4A Continuity
B: continued
2 + 1
#9) () = {
2 1

< 2
2

C: Decide if each statement is true or false. If false

give a counterexample. (A counterexample makes the
hypothesis true and the conclusion false.)
#12) If lim () = 10, then lim+ () = 10
5

#13) If lim+ () = 10, then lim () = 10

5

+5
#10) () = { 3
1

< 9
9

#14) If (1) = 7, then lim () = 7

1

#11) () = {

2
2 + 12

< 3
3
#15) If (4) is not defined, then lim () does
4

not exist.

The Calculus
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