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Math11 BC Q3 M3 PDF
Math11 BC Q3 M3 PDF
Department of Education
Regional Office IX, Zamboanga Peninsula
Basic Calculus
Quarter 3 - Module 3:
Continuity of a Function at a Number
and on an Interval
What I Know
Directions: Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
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4. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding continuity of a function at a
number?
A. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists and lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑐) the function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be continuous.
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
B. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exists , then lim 𝑓(𝑥) can assume the value of 𝑓(𝑐).
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
C. If lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exists and 𝑓(𝑐)exist, then the function is said to be
𝑥→𝑐
continuous.
D. If 𝑓(𝑐) 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡 , lim 𝑓(𝑥) exists and lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑐) the function, then 𝑓(𝑥) is said to
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
be continuous.
𝑥+2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −2
7. Given 𝑓(𝑥) =
−𝑥 − 1 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −2
4𝑥−12
9. What is the largest interval is the function 𝑓(𝑥) continuous given that 𝑓(𝑥) = ?
𝑥 2 −9
2𝑥 − 8 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2
𝑓(𝑥) =
4(𝑥 + 𝑘) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 2
A. -3 C. 1
B. -1 D. 3
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What’s In
Activity 1: Evaluate Me!
This activity will give you an opportunity to review the past lesson.
Directions: Evaluate the following limits.
sin 6𝑥 𝑒 𝑡 −1
1. lim 𝑒 −𝑥 = ___________ 2. lim = ___________ 3. lim = ________
𝑥→+∞ 𝑥→0 𝑥 𝑡→0 𝑡
What’s New
Activity 2. Continuous or Not?
Directions: Consider the function whose graph appears below. Determine if the function
is continuous or not at the following values.
1. 𝑥 = −2 ____________________________
2. 𝑥 = 0 ____________________________
3. 𝑥 = 3 ____________________________
4. (1 , 3) ____________________________
5. (−3 , 0] ____________________________
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What is it
CONTINUITY AT A NUMBER
As we have observed in our discussion of limits in the previous lesson, there are functions
whose limits are not equal to the function value at 𝑥 = 𝑐, meaning, lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(𝑐)
𝑥→𝑐
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 1
Figure 1
What does “continuity at a point” mean?
Intuitively, this means that in drawing the graph of a function, the point in question will
be traversed.
We start by graphically illustrating what it means to be continuous at a point.
Teacher’s Tip : A function is continuous when its graph is a single unbroken curve or
line. You can draw the entire graph without lifting their pen, or pencil, from the sheet
of paper.
That is not a formal definition, but it helps you understand the idea.
Note that you are able to trace the graph from the
left side of the number 𝑥 = 1 going to the right
side of 𝑥 = 1, without lifting your pen. This is the
case here. Hence, we can say that the function is
continuous at 𝑥 = 1.
Figure 2
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Now we will look at a graph of a rational function as another example
EXAMPLE 2: Consider the graph of the function 𝑔(𝑥) below. (see Figure 3)
Figure 3
𝟏
EXAMPLE 3: Consider the graph of the function 𝒉(𝒙) = 𝒙 . (see Figure 4)
PIECEWISE FUNCTION
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EXAMPLE 5:
Consider the graph of a piece-wise function
Figure 5
Suppose we are not given the graph of a function but just the function itself. How do we
determine if the function is continuous at a given number? In this case, we have to check
three conditions.
EXAMPLE 6 :
SOLUTION :
We have to check the three conditions for continuity of a function.
(a) find the value of 𝑓(𝑐) (b) Determine lim 𝑓(𝑥) 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡 (c) Determine 𝑓(𝑐) = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐 𝑥→𝑐
Therefore, 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑥 = 1.
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𝑥2− 𝑥 − 2
EXAMPLE 7 : Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = continuous or not at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥−2
02 − 0 − 2
(a) 𝑓(0) = =1
0−2
𝑥2− 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥−2)(𝑥+1)
(b) lim 𝑓(𝑥) = lim = lim = lim(𝑥 + 1) = 0 + 1 = 1
𝑥→0 𝑥→0 𝑥−2 𝑥→0 𝑥−2 𝑥→0
(c) 𝑓(0) = 1 = lim 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→0
Therefore, 𝑓 is continuous at 𝑥 = 0
𝑥2− 𝑥 − 2
EXAMPLE 8 : Determine if 𝑓(𝑥) = continuous or not at 𝑥 = 2
𝑥−2
Solution.
Note that 𝑓 is not defined at 𝑥 = 2 since 2 is not in the domain of 𝑓.
22 − 2 − 2 0
(a) 𝑓(0) = = 0 (not defined)
2−2
Hence, the first condition in the definition of a continuous function is not satisfied.
Therefore, 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 2.
EXAMPLE 9 : Determine if
is continuous or not at 𝑥 = 4.
Hence, the second condition in the definition of a continuous function is not satisfied.
Therefore, 𝑓 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 4.
CONTINUITY ON AN INTERVAL
Equivalently, if we are able to draw the entire graph of the function on an interval
without lifting our tracing pen, or without being interrupted by a hole in the middle of the
graph, then we can conclude that the function is continuous on that interval.
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EXAMPLE 10 : Consider the graph of a piece-wise function
whose graph is shown below.
Figure 5
Solution.
c. For the interval [0, +∞) if we trace the graph from x = 0 to the right of 𝑥 = 0, you
will not lift your pen. Thus, the function f is continuous on [0, +∞).
d. For the interval [−∞, 4] if we trace the graph from x = 4 to the left of 𝑥 = 4, we are
forced to lift our pen immediately after x = 4 and continue tracing again starting
to the left of 𝑥 = 4. Thus, the function f is discontinuous on [−∞, 4]
Now, if a function is given without its corresponding graph, we must find other means to
determine if the function is continuous or not on an interval. Here are definitions that
will help us:
One-Sided Continuity
(a) A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous from the left at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if 𝑓(𝑐) = lim− 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
(b) A function 𝑓 is said to be continuous from the right at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if 𝑓(𝑐) = lim+ 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑥→𝑐
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(b) Continuity on a Closed Interval
A function 𝑓(𝑥) is continuous on a closed interval
[𝑎, 𝑏] if
1. It is continuous on the open interval (𝑎, 𝑏).
2. It is continuous from the right at 𝑎. 𝐼𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
a. 𝑓(𝑎) exists.
b. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑎
c. lim+ 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎) .
𝑥→𝑎
3. It is continuous from the left at 𝑏.
a. 𝑓(𝑏) exists.
b. lim− 𝑓(𝑥) exists.
𝑥→𝑏
c. lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑏)
𝑥→𝑏
(c) everywhere if 𝑓 is continuous at every real number. In this case, we also say
𝑓 is continuous on ℝ.
(d) on [𝑎, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) and from the right at 𝑎.
(e) on (𝑎, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏) and from the left at 𝑏.
(f) on (𝑎, ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 > 𝑎.
(g) on [𝑎, ∞) if 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, ∞) and from the right at 𝑎.
(h) on (−∞, 𝑏) if 𝑓 is continuous at all 𝑥 < 𝑏.
(i) on (−∞, 𝑏] if 𝑓 is continuous on (−∞, 𝑏) and from the left at 𝑏.
Solution.
Since a polynomial function is continuous at every
real number, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 is continuous at (−∞, +∞).
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EXAMPLE 12 : Determine whether 𝑓(𝑥) = √9 − 𝑥 2 is continuous on the interval [−3, 3 ].
e. 𝑓(−3) = √9 − 𝑥 2 = √9 − (−3)2 = 0
f. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = √9 − 𝑥 2 = √9 − (−3)2 = 0
𝑥→−3+
g. lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(−3)
𝑥→−3+
a. (−∞, 0 ) b. (0 , ∞ ) c. (−∞, ∞)
Solution.
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PROBLEMS INVOLVING CONTINUITY OF A FUNCTION
EXAMPLE 14: What value of 𝑘 makes the function continuous at 𝑥 = 3?
𝑥2 − 4 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 3
𝑓(𝑥) =
2𝑥 + 𝑘 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 3
Solution.
To make the function continuous we have to make the two pieces of the function equal
at 𝑥 = 3.
𝑥 2 − 4 = 2𝑥 + 𝑘
Substitute 𝑥 = 3 (3)2 − 4 = 2(3) + 𝑘
Solve for 𝑘 9−4 =6+𝑘
−4 − 6 = 𝑘
−1 = 𝑘
In general:
1. A function is discontinuous at numbers where it is undefined.
2. A piecewise-defined function may be discontinuous at endpoints of intervals.
What’s More
Activity 3. Determine Me!
Directions: Consider the function whose graph appears below. Determine if the function
is continuous or not at the following values.
1. 𝑥 = −2
2. 𝑥 = 1
3. 𝑥 = 2
4. (1 , 3)
5. (−3 , 0]
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What I Have Learned
Activity 4. Value Me!
Directions: Determine if the function is continuous or not at the following values and
intervals.
1. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 3 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 3 , [ −3 , 2 ] _________________
𝑥 2 −16
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 5 , [0,4] _________________
𝑥−4
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 5 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 4 , [ 5 , ∞) __________________
3 − 𝑥 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
4. 𝑓(𝑥) =
−3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2 , (−∞ , 2 ) ___________________
2𝑥 − 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2
5. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 2, [2 , +∞ ) __________________
−2𝑥 + 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
What I Can Do
Activity 5. Solve Me!
1. Solve the following problem. What value of k makes the function continuous at 𝑥 =
3?
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 3
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑘(𝑥 − 6) 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 3
2. Examine the given function. If the function is discontinuous redefine the function
to make it continuous.
2𝑥 − 3 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1
𝑓(𝑥) =
−4 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 1
Assessment
Directions: Read each item carefully. Encircle the letter of your answer.
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2. Which of the graphs illustrates continuity at x=1?
I III
II IV
A. 𝑥 = −4, −1, 3
B. 𝑥 = −3, −1, 3
C. 𝑥 = −3, 0 , 5
D. 𝑥 = −2, −1, 2
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5. Given 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. The lim 𝑓(𝑥) ≠ 𝑓(4) C. The lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑓(4) .
𝑥→4 𝑥→4
B. The 𝑓(4) does not exist D. The lim 𝑓(𝑥) does not exist.
𝑥→4
6. Given
9. What is the largest interval is the function 𝑓(𝑥) continuous given that
A. (−∞, ∞) C. [2 , ∞)
B. (−∞, 2) ∪ (2, ∞) D. (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, ∞)
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A. 𝑥 = −6 C. 𝑥 = 4
B. 𝑥 = −2 D. 𝑥 = 10
References
Balmaceda, Jose Maria P., et al. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High
School. Basic Calculus. Printed in the Philippines by EC-TEC
Commercial, pp. 53 – 87. No. 32 St. Louis Compound 7, Baesa, Quezon City,
ectec_com@yahoo.com
Versosa, Debbie Marie, et al. 2016. Basic Calculus. Published and printed by Vibal
Group Inc. pp. 32 – 37. 1253 G. Araneta Ave., Quezon City
Development Team
Writer: Daisy S. Napiňas
Francisco Ramos National High School
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