P-BLTZMC11_1037-1088-hr 5-12-2008 11:19 Page 1069

Mid-Chapter Check Point 1069

1 and discontinuous at the other value of x where the

59. Is it possible to define f1x2 = at x = 9 so that the
x - 9 pieces change.
function becomes continuous at 9? How does this discontinuity c. Define and graph a piecewise function that is discontinuous
differ from the discontinuity in Exercise 58? at both values of x where the pieces change.
60. For the function At the end of the activity, group members should turn in the
2 functions and their graphs. Do not use any of the piecewise
x if x 6 1
f1x2 = b functions or graphs that appear anywhere in this book.
Ax - 3 if x Ú 1

find A so that the function is continuous at 1. Preview Exercises

Exercises 62–64 will help you prepare for the material covered in
Group Exercise the next section. In each exercise, find the indicated difference
quotient and simplify.
61. In this exercise, the group will define three piecewise
f12 + h2 - f122
functions. Each function should have three pieces and two 62. If f1x2 = x 2 + x, find .
values of x at which the pieces change. h
a. Define and graph a piecewise function that is continuous f1x + h2 - f1x2
63. If f1x2 = x 3, find .
at both values of x where the pieces change. h
b. Define and graph a piecewise function that is s1a + h2 - s1a2
continuous at one value of x where the pieces change 64. If s1t2 = - 16t2 + 48t + 160, find .
h

Chapter 11 Mid-Chapter Check Point

What you know: We learned that lim f1x2 = L means lim f1x2, (x approaches a from the left) is not equal to
x:a x : a-
that as x gets closer to a, but remains unequal to a, the the right-hand limit, lim+ f1x2, (x approaches a from the
x:a
corresponding values of f1x2 get closer to L. We found right), then lim f1x2 does not exist. Finally, we defined
limits using tables, graphs, and properties of limits. The x:a
continuity in terms of limits. A function f is continuous
quotient property for limits did not apply to fractional
at a when f is defined at a, lim f1x2 exists, and
expressions in which the limit of the denominator is zero. x:a
In these cases, rewriting the expression using factoring or lim f1x2 = f1a2. If f is not continuous at a, we say that
x:a
rationalizing the numerator or denominator was helpful f is discontinuous at a.
before finding the limit. We saw that if the left-hand limit,
In Exercises 1–7, use the graphs of f and g to find the indicated limit or function value, or state that the limit or function value does not exist.
y y

2 2
y = g(x)
y = f (x)
1 1

x x
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2
−1 −1

−2 −2

1. lim f1x2 2. lim f1x2 7. lim 410 + f1x2

x : -1 - x : -1 +
4. lim 3f1x2 + g1x24
x:1
3. lim f1x2 8. Use the graph of f shown above to determine for what
x : -1 x:1
5. lim 3f1x2 - g1x24 6. 1f - g2102
numbers the function is discontinuous. Then use the
x:0 definition of continuity to verify each discontinuity.
In Exercises 9–11, use the table to find the indicated limit.

x - 0.03 -0.02 - 0.01 -0.007 0.007 0.01 0.02 0.03

sin x
f1x2
- 0.9433 -0.9615 - 0.9804 - 0.9862 - 1.014 - 1.02 - 1.042 -1.064
2x 2  x
e x  tan x
g1x2
1.0014 1.0006 1.0002 1.0001 1.0001 1.0001 1.0006 1.0013
cos2 x