STUDYORB

EXERCISE 2 (o)
2
1. Show that x + 3x +5 is continuous for all values of x.
2. Examine the continuity of f (x) = | x − b | at x = b. (CBSE)
3. (i) Locate the points of discontinuity of the following function.
 x3 − x 2 + 2x − 2 , x ≠ 1
f (x) = 
 4 , x =1
x +1
(ii)At what points is the function ( x − 2) ( x − 3) continuous ?
4. (i)Show that the function f defined as
 x2 − 1

f (x) =  x − 1 , x ≠ 1 is continuous at x = 1. (AICBSE, 1992 C)
 2 , x =1

(ii) Test the continuity of the function
x , x ≥ 0
f (x) = 1 , x < 0 at the origin (CBSE)

x −1 , 1≤ x < 2
(iii) If f (x) =  , find whether f is continuous at x = 2. (CBSE)
2x − 3 , 2 ≤ x ≤ 3
 2 if x ≤ 1 , show that f is discontinuous.
(iv) Let f (x) =  x (CBSE)
 x + 5 if x > 1
(v) Examine the continuity of the function (vi) Show that the function
3x − 2 , x ≤ 0  2 for 1 ≤ x < 2
f (x) =  , f (x) =  x
 x +1 , x>0 3x − 4 for 2 ≤ x < 4
at x = 0. (CBSE) is discontinuous at x = 2 and continuous at x = 3.
(vii) A function f is defined by
x2 − 4x + 3
f (x) = , for x ≠ 1
x2 − 1
= x - 1,
2
for x = 1
Test the continuity of the function at x = 1. (I.I.T.)
Test the continuity at the indicated point in (viii) to (x).
x if x > 0

(viii) f (x) =  1 if x = 0 , at x = 0. (CBSE, 1994)
− x if x < 0
 3 − x , if 1 ≤ x < 1
2 2

(ix) f (x) =  3 , if x = 1 at x = 1. (CBSE (F) 1994)
32
 + x , if 1 < x ≤ 2
2
2 x − 1, if x < 0
(x) f (x) =  , at x = 0. (H.P.B. 1993)
2 x + 1, if x ≥ 0
 x
2
 , 0 ≤ x <1
5. Let f (x) =  2
 2x − 2x +
2 3 , 1≤ x ≤ 2
 2
Discuss the continuity of f on [0, 2]. (I.I.T.)
[Hint. Lim−1 f ( x) = 1 and Lim+ f ( x) = 3 , so Lim does not exist.]
x →1 2 x →1 2 x →1

6. Discuss the continuity of the following functions : [Hint. Refer to solved Ex. 86, 87.]
| x − 4|
(i) If f (x) = , x ≠ 4, f (4) = 0, show that f is everywhere continuous except at x = 4.(Pb. 1992)
x−4
[Hint. Type solved Ex. 87.]
(ii) f (x) = 2x − | x |, at x = 0 (Pb 1991)
| x|
(iii) f (x) = 1 + for x ≠ 0 and f (0) = 1
x
 x , x≠0

(iv) f (x) = | x | at origin. (CBSE 1992, AICBSE 95 C)
 1 , x = 0
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 2
 | x − 1| , x ≠ 1
(v) f (x) =  x − 1 at x = 1 (CBSE)
 2 , x =1
 2 | x | + x2
(vi) f (x) =  x
, x ≠ 0 at x = 0. (Pb 1992)
 2 , x=0
sin x
(vii) f (x) = | x | at x = 0 (NMOC 1992)
7. Examine the continuity of the following functions at indicated point :
(i) f (x) = cos x, for x ≥ 0
= − cos x, for x < 0 at x = 0
 sin x + cos x , x ≠ 0
(ii) f (x) =  x at x = 0. (CBSE 1992 C)
 2 , x=0

1 − cos 4 x
 , x≠0
(iii) f (x) =  x2 at x = 0. (H.B. 1994)
 8 , x=0
 cos t π
 π , t≠
2 π
(iv) f (t) =  2 − t at t = . (Pb 1990)
 1 2
 , t=π
2
 sin 2 x
, x≠0
(v) f (x) =  sin 3x at x = 0. (AICBSE 1997)
 2 , x=0
 x tan 2 x
f ( x) = , x≠0
(vi)  sin 3x sin 5x at x = 0. (A.P.)
 f (0) = 2
 17

[Hint. You will obtain Lim f (x) = 2 which is not equal to f (0).]
x→0 15

 cos 3x − cos 4x
f ( x) = for x ≠ 0
(vii)  x sin 2x at x = 0. (A.P. 2000)
 f (0) = 7
 4
 1
(viii)  f ( x) = x cos x when x ≠ 0 at x = 0.
 f (0) = 0

 x , x≠0
(ix) f (x) =  tan 3x at x = 0. (NMOC 1999)
 3 , x=0

(x) f (x) = 
 x sin 1
x () , x≠0
at x = 0.
 2 , x=0
(xi) Examine the function defined below for continuity at x = 0 unless a = 1.
2
sin ax
f (x) = 2
for x ≠ 0 ; = 1 for x = 0.
x
2 2
sin ax  sin ax  2 2
f (0) = 1; Lim f ( x) = Lim = Lim  .a = a
x → 0  ax 
[Hint. 2
x→0 x→0 x
∵ Lim f (x) ≠ f (0) unless a = 1 ∴ f (x) is discontinuous at x = 0 unless a = 1].
x →0
1 − cos x
 for x ≠ 0
(xii) f (x) =  x2 at x = 0. (NMOC 1995, H.B., I.A.S.)
 1 for x = 0
2 2
1 − cos x 2 sin x / 2  sin x / 2  1
[Hint. Lim f ( x) = Lim = Lim = Lim   . 2 ≠ f (0) = 1
x →0 x →0 x
2 x →0 x
2 x →0  x/2 
∴ f (x) is discontinuous at x = 0]
( x − a) cos 1 when x ≠ a

(xiii) f (x) =  x−a at x = a.
 0 when x= a
[Hint. Type solved Ex. 93].
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8. Find the value of k if the function f (x) defined by

2 x − 1 , x < 2

(i) f (x) =  k , x=2 is continuous at x = 2. (H.B.)
 x + 1 , x > 2
[Hint. L.H.L. = 3, R.H.L. = 3 ∴ For continuity L.H.L. = R.H.L. = f (2) = k i.e., 3 = 3 = k].
 x − 2x − 3
2
 , x ≠ −1
(ii) f (x) =  x + 1 continuous at x = −1. (CBSE 1993 C)
 k , x = −1
 sin 3x , x≠0
(iii) f (x) =  4 x continuous at x = 0. (AICBSE 1993 C, 1996 C)
 k , x=0
 sin x + x cos x
 , x≠0
(iv) f (x) =  x continuous at x = 0. (CBSE (F) 1994 C)
 k , x=0
(v) f (x) = (1 + 3x)1/x, f (0) = k continuous at x = 0. (A.P.)
 1 − cos 4x
 2
, if x < 0
 x
(vi) Let f (x) =  a , if x = 0 , determine the value of a so that f (x) is
 x
 , if x > 0
 16 + x −4
continuous at x = 0. (S.C.R.A. 2001)
(vii) If f (x) = 2 x + 3 sin x , x ≠ 0 is continuous at x = 0 then find f (0). (Goa 1996)
3x + 2 sin x

9. If f (x) = x , x ≠ 0 and f (0) = 0, show that f (x) is continuous at x = 0. (I.I.T.)

1 + e1/ x
x
= 0, since as x → 0 , 1 → ∞ and so e → ∞
+ 1/x
[Hint. Lim+ f (x) = Lim+
x→0 x→0 1 + e1/ x x
x − 1/x
Lim f (x) = Lim− = 0, since as x → 0 , e → 0 ∴ Lim f (x) = 0 = f (0)]
x → 0− x→0 1+ e
1/ x x →0

+
10. Is the function f (x) = 3x 2 sin x continuous at x = 0 ? If not, how may the function be defined at
x
x = 0 to make it continuous at that point.
11. Prove that the function
2 3
f (x) = x − a for 0 < x < a ; f (x) = 0 for x = a ; f (x) = a − a2 for x > a is continuous at x = a.
a x
[Hint. Show that Lim+ f (x) = Lim− f (x) = f (a) ]
x→a x→a

12. Prove that the function

 x , x≠0

f (x) =  | x | + 2 x 2
 k , x=0
remains discontinuous at x = 0, regardless of the choice of k.
Lim− x = − 1 ; Lim+ f ( x) = Lim+ x =1
[Hint. Lim− f (x) = 2
x→0 x→0 − x + 2x x→0 x → 0 x + 2x 2

∴ Lim f (x) does not exist. Also, the equality between Lim f (x) and f (0) = k cannot take place for
x →0 x →0
any value of k.]
13. Determine the value of a, b, c for which the function
2 1/ 2 1/ 2
sin (a + 1) x + sin x ( x + bx ) − x
f (x) = for x < 0; = c for x = 0; =
x bx3/ 2
for x > 0 is continuous at x = 0. (I.I.T.)
sin (a + 1) x + sin x sin (a + 1) (0 − h) + sin (0 − h)
[Hint. L.H.L. = Lim− = Lim [Put x = 0 − h]
x→0 x x → 0 −h
 a + 2  
sin   h
 2   × (a + 2) cos ah = a + 2
= Lim
h→0  a + 2 2
 2 h
 
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( x + bx 2 )1/ 2 − x1/ 2 (h + bh 2 )1/ 2 − h1/ 2

R.H.L. = Lim+ 3/ 2
= Lim [Put x = 0 + h]
x→0 bx h→0 bh3/ 2
1/ 2
(1 + bh) −1
= Lim =1 [Using Binomial theorem]
h→0 bh 2
Now for continuity at x = 0, L.H.L. = R.H.L. = f (0)
3
⇒ a + 2 = 1 = c ⇒ a = − , c = 1 , and b can have any value except zero.]
2 2 2
1 x2
14. Let f (x) = 2 (e − cos x), for x ≠ 0. Find f (0) so that f (x) is continuous at x = 0.
x
 x2 
[Hint. Lim  e − 1  + Lim  1 − cos x  = 1 + 1 = 3 = f (0) etc.]
x →0  x 2 2
 x →0  x  2 2

15. Find the value of k if f (x) is continuous at x = π where f (x) = for x ≠ π and = 3 for x = π .
k cos x
2 π − 2x 2 2

[Hint. ( ) = 3.
f π
2
∵ for continuity Lim f (x) = f π
x →π / 2
( 2)
∴ Lim  k cos x  = 3. To evaluate the limit on R.H.S. put x = π − y]
x → π/ 2  π − 2x  2
16. Prove that the function
 x , x≠0

f (x) =  | x | + 2 x 2
 k , x=0
remains discontinuous at x = 0, regardless of the choice of k. (NMOC 1998)
Lim− x = − 1, Lim+ f ( x) = Lim+ x =1
[Hint. Lim− f (x) =
x→0 x→0 − x + 2x 2 x→0 x → 0 x + 2x
2

∴ Lim f (x) does not exist. Also, the equality between Lim f (x) and f (0) = k cannot take place for
x →0 x →0
any value of k]
−1
17. Discuss the continuity at x = 0 of the function f (x) defined as f (x) = sin | x | , if x ≠ 0
 0 , if x = 0
−1 −1
[Hint. f (x) = sin x if x > 0 and − sin x if x < 0.
−1 −1
L.H.L. = Lim− f (x) = Lim {− sin (0 − h)} = 0, R.H.L. = Lim+ f (x) = Lim sin (0 + h) = 0
x→0 x →0 x→0 h→0
∴ f (0) = 0 = Lim f (x) ⇒ the function is continuous]
x →0
18. Determine f (0) so that the function f (x) defined by
x 3
(4 − 1)
f (x) = becomes continuous at x = 0.
 2
sin x log 1 + x 
4  3 
[Hint. For f (x) to be continuous at x = 0 we will have
3
 4x − 1 
  3
f (0) = Lim f ( x) = Lim  x  . 1 2 =
(log e 4)
]
 2 
 sin x   log 1 + x   1 + x
x→0 x→0 1×1
 4 3
4   3  3
 
 4 ×   1 + x 
x 2
 4 
3 
19. (i) The function f (x) is defined as follows :
 x 2 + ax + b , 0 ≤ x < 2
f (x) =  3x + 2 , 2≤x≤4
 2ax + 5b , 4< x≤8
If f is continuous on [0, 8], find the values of a, b. (Goa, 1996)
 3ax + b if x>1
(ii) If the function f (x) =  11 if x = 1 is continuous at k = 1, find the values of a and b.
 5ax − 2b if x <1
(CBSE 2002)
(iii) For what value of k is the function
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1 − cos 4x
 , x ≠ 0
f (x) = Lim  8x 2
x → 0
 x , x=0
continous at x = 0. (CBSE 2000 C)
20. Prove that sin | x | is continuous. (H.P.B. 1994)
[Sol. Let f (x) = sin x, g (x) = | x |
f (og) = f (g (x)) = f (| x |) = sin | x |
We know that sin x and | x | both are continuous ≤x ∈ R, therefore,
fog = sin | x | is continuous x ∈ R [Property 1 of continuous functions, Art. 2.43]
21. Prove that | 1 - x + | x || is continuous
[Sol. Let f (x) = 1 − x + | x |, g (x) = | x |. The
gof = g (f (x)) = g (1 - x + | x | ) = |1 − x + | x ||
We know that f (x) and g (x) both are continuous ≤x ∈ R,
therefore, gof = | 1 - x + | x || is continuous ≤x ∈ R. [Art. 2.43 (1)]

ANSWERS
2. Continuous 3. (i) x = 1 is a point of discontinuity(ii) continuous for all x ∈ R - {2, 3}
4. (ii) Discontinuous (iii) Continuous (v) Discontinuous
(vii) Discontinuous (viii) Discontinuous (ix) Discontinuous
(x) Discontinuous 5. Discontinuous
6. (ii) Continuous (iii) Discontinuous (iv) Discontinuous
(v) Discontinuous (vi) Discontinuous (vii) Discontinuous
7. (i) Discontinuous (ii) Discontinuous (iii) Continuous
(iv) Continuous (v) Discontinuous (vi) Discontinuous
(vii) Continuous (viii) Continuous (ix) Discontinuous
(x) Discontinuous (xiii) Continuous
3
8. (i) k = 3 (ii) k = − 4 (iii) k = (iv) k = 2
4
3
(v) k = e (vi) a = 8 (vii) f (0) = 1 9. No.
+
10. No, f (x) = 3x 2 sin x when x ≠ 0 and f (0) = 5.
x
19. (i) a = 3, b = − 2
3
18. 12 (loge4) (ii) a = 3, b = 2 (iii) k = 1