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Basic Calculus: Quarter 3 - Module 4: Continuity of A Function
Basic Calculus: Quarter 3 - Module 4: Continuity of A Function
Quarter 3 – Module 4:
Continuity of a Function
What I Need to Know
Read and answer the following questions. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.
A.
C.
B. D.
1
3. On what value of x is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+2 discontinuous?
a.1 C. – 2
b. 2 D.
4. Which of the following functions is continuous on all values of x?
A. polynomial functions C. exponential values
B. rational functions D. radical functions
c. d.
8. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 5𝑥2 − 6𝑥 + 1 continuous at x = 1?
11. 14.
a a
12. 15.
a a
13.
Lesson
1 Continuity of a Function
Flowing water, long winding roads and waiting for forever are just examples
of uninterrupted actions or continuity. There are times wherein some actions
were meant to be disjointed or disconnected. Somehow, the concept of
continuity is also present in Calculus and it will be presented to you in details
as you go on with this module.
What’s In (Graded)
Answer the following questions.
1. Complete the table of values and illustrate the graph of the function
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2 .
Graph: Y
x-values y-values
2
X
3
2. Complete the Table of Values and illustrate the graph of the function
𝑥2 − 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−1
` Graph:
Y
x-values y-values
-1
2 X
3
What’s New (Graded)
On a sheet of paper, copy the graphs above. As you sketch the graphs, try
not to lift your pens. Is it possible with the three graphs? Based on what you
did, what can you say about the behavior of the first graph? How about the
last two graphs?
The behavior of the graphs above has something to do with our lesson. I think
you already have an idea of what our topic is all about. So, let’s go and explore
the lesson together.
What is It
There are different ways on how we can represent a function. One of those is
its graph. If the graph of a function has no gap or holes, then we can say that
the function is continuous. Otherwise, it’s discontinuous.
In addition, a function is said to be continuous at a point x = a if all of the
following conditions are satisfied (Comandante, 2008):
a. Removable Discontinuity
Either because 𝑓(𝑎) is undefined or the value of 𝑓(𝑎) differs from the
value of the limit (Comandante, 2008).
Example:
𝑥 2 −4
𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 +2
b. Jump Discontinuity
lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) for an any positive integer. (Comandante, 2008).
𝑋→𝑎 − 𝑥→𝑎
functions.
Example:
3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0
{
𝑥−1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 0
c. Infinite Discontinuity
1
Example: 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥
For deeper understanding of the lesson, let us have the following illustrative
examples:
Example1
Solution:
Check whether the function will satisfy the three conditions for
continuity at the given point 𝑥 = −1.
𝑓 (−1) = 2
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6 (Given)
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (𝑥2) + lim (5𝑥) + lim 6 (Evaluated the limit)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1 𝑥→−1
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥→𝑎
Since the two values are equal, then the third condition is satisfied.
Since all of the three conditions were satisfied, then we can say that the
function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is continuous at 𝑥 = −1.
Continuous at x = -1
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 2 + 5 𝑥 + 6
Example 2
𝑥2−9
At 𝑥 = 3, is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = continuous at that particular point?
𝑥−3
Solution:
Check whether the function will satisfy the three conditions for
continuity at the given point 𝑥 = 3.
32 −9
𝑓 (3) = 3−3
(Substituted the x-value to the function)
𝑓 (3) =
Since f(x) is indeterminate, then the first condition NOT
satisfied.
𝑥2−9
𝑓(𝑥) = (Given)
𝑥−3
𝑥 2 −9
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim (Evaluated the limit)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→3 𝑥−3
𝑥 2 −9 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−3)
lim = lim (Factored out the numerator)
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥−3 𝑥→3 𝑥−3
𝑥 2 −9
lim =6
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥−3
` Since lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists, then the second condition is satisfied.
𝑥→𝑎
Using the obtained values above, let us check if the third condition will be
satisfied.
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) (Third Condition)
𝑥→𝑎
Since two of the conditions are NOT satisfied, then we can say that the
𝑋 2 −9
function 𝑓(𝑥) = is not continuous at x = 3.
𝑋−3
𝑋 2 −9
To illustrate that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑋−3
is not continuous at 𝑥 = 3, simply
graph the function which includes the x-values 3.
-
Graph of
𝑥 2 −9
𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 −3
There’s a hole
on the graph,
that’s why it’s
not continuous
at x = 3
Example 3
2
Determine if the function𝑓(𝑥)=𝑋continuous at 𝑥=0
Solution:
2
Step 1: Evaluate the function𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑋 at 𝑥 = 0
𝟐 𝟐
𝒇(𝟎) = = 𝒐𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅
(𝟎) 𝟎
𝟐
Step 2: Find lim (𝒙)
𝑥→0
2 2
lim ( ) = −∞ lim ( ) = +∞
𝑥→0− 𝑥 𝑥→0+ 𝑥
2
𝐥𝐢𝐦 ( ) 𝑫𝑵𝑬, 𝑜𝑟 𝑫𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝑬𝒙𝒊𝒔𝒕
𝑥
𝒙→𝟎
Since all three conditions were not satisfied, then we can say that the
2
function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥
2
To illustrate that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥
is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0, simply graph the
function which includes the x -value 0
X-axis
a b
[a, b] Closed interval
The following are the conditions needed to be satisfied to be able to know
whether the function is continuous or not on a closed interval.
1. The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the open interval (a, b).
2. The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the left endpoint [a].
a. If 𝑓(𝑎) is defined.
b. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎+
c. If 𝑓(𝑎) = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑎+
Example 4
Step 1: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be verified continuous at the open interval
(−4, −1) by creating its table of values or simply knowing its restrictions with
regards to its domain.
Table of values
x-values 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6 y-values
−3.9 = (−3.9)2 + 5(−3.9) + 6 1.71
-3 = (−3)2 + 5(−3) + 6 0
-2.5 = (−2.5)2 + 5(−2.5) + 6 -0.25
-2 = (−2)2 + 5(−2) + 6 0
-1.0001 = (−1.0001)2 + 5(−1.0001) + 6 1.99970001
Based on the table, all domains (x-values) in between (-4, -1) has its own
defined y-value. Therefore, we can say that it is continuous on the open
interval (-4, -1).
Another justification that this function is continuous on the open interval
(-4, -1) is that, all polynomial functions are continuous at every point or any
interval {𝑥|𝑥 𝜖 ℝ}
Step 2: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the left endpoint [-4].
b. Find lim−(x2 + 5x + 6)
𝑥→1
Conclusion: Since all of the three conditions were satisfied, then we can
say that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 6 is continuous on the closed interval
[−4, −1].
Example 2
Question: Check if the function 𝑓 is continuous on the closed
interval [−4, 1]? Present your solution.
Solution:
Step 1: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be verified continuous at the open interval
(−4, 1) by creating its table of values or simply knowing its restrictions with
regards to its domain.
Table of values
x-values 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 + 3 y-values
−3.9 = √ (−3.9) + 3 (*imaginary
number)
0 √ (0) + 3 1.732050808
0.9999 = √ (0.999) + 3 1.999749984
Based on the table, all domains (x-values) in between (−4 to 1) has its own
defined y-value except −3.9. Therefore, we can say that it is not continuous
on the open interval (−4, 1).
Another justification that this function is not continuous on the open interval
(−4,1) is that, all radical functions are continuous only within the domain, if
beyond restrictions, then it won’t exist.
The domain of the function 𝑓 is 𝑥 ≥ −3, since the open interval
being asked is (−4, 1) therefore it is not continuous on (−4, −3).
Step 2: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the left endpoint [-4].
a. Evaluate the function 𝑓 at 𝑥 = −4
b. Find
𝑥→−4+
Step 3: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the right endpoint [1].
a. Evaluate the function 𝑓 at 𝑥 = 1
b. Find 𝑥lim
→1−
( √𝑥 + 3)
Conclusion: Only one of the three conditions was satisfied, then we can say
that the function 𝑓 is not continuous on the closed interval [−4,
1].
Solution:
Step 3: What did you observe between the values of 𝑓 (−2) and
lim 𝑓(𝑥) ?
𝑥→−2
Conclusion:
__________________________________________________________________
x
3
2. Is the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥continuous on the closed interval [−1, 1] ? Draw
its graph illustrating its continuity or discontinuity.
Solution:
Step 1: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be verified continuous at the open interval
(−1, 1) by creating its table of values or simply knowing its restrictions with
regard to its domain.
A. Table of values
X-values 3 y-values
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥
−0.999 ______ ______
0 ______ ______
0.9999 ______ ______
Step 2: The function 𝑓(𝑥) needs to be continuous at the left endpoint [-1].
3
a. Evaluate the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 at 𝑥 = −1
3
b. Find lim + ( )
𝑥→−1 𝑥
c. What did you observe between the values of 𝑓 (−1) and lim 𝑓(𝑥)?
𝑥→−1+
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3
a. Evaluate the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 at 𝑥 = 1
3
b. Find lim−(𝑥) = _____
𝑥→1
c. What did you observe between the values of 𝑓 (1) and lim− 𝑓(𝑥)?
𝑥→1
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Conclusion: _____________________________________________________________
Illustrate the graph:
Y
𝑋 2 −3𝑋−4
3. Check whether the function 𝑓(𝑥) = is continuous at 𝑥 = 4. Sketch
𝑋−4
its graph illustrating its continuity or discontinuity.
Express what you have learned in this lesson by answering the questions
below.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.
Read, understand and answer the given questions below. Write your answers
on a separate sheet of paper.