DEFINITION

What is a discontinuity in a function?

A discontinuity is a point where the graph of a function breaks. More formally, it is a point where
the function either is not defined, or the function approaches (from the left or the right) a
different value than the one it actually takes on at the point.

How do you know if a graph is discontinuous?

A graph is discontinuous if the curve breaks at any point. Look for small, unfilled (empty)
circles over the curve itself, or the function going off the top or bottom of the graph, and it is
near a dotted vertical line (indicating an asymptote).

A function f(x) is said to be discontinuous at x = c if the following three conditions are not
satisfied:

(i) f(c) exists;

(ii) lim f(x) exists; and
x→c
(iii) f(c) = lim f(x)
x→c

Types of discontinuities

REMOVABLE DISCONTINUITY

• This discontinuity occurs when there is a hole in the graph of the function.
• Redefine the function to remove the discontinuity
• Indeterminate
JUMP DISCONTINUITY

• This discontinuity occurs when the graph of the function stops at one point and seems to jump
to another point.
• Both left and right hand limit exist but not equal.

ASYMPTOTIC/INFINITE DISCONTINUITY

• In this type of discontinuity, at least one of the two limits is infinite.

• Undefined
• Has a vertical asymptote

EXAMPLES
Instruction : Determine the type of discontinuity of the given graphs (Interactive)

ANSWER :
1. Jump Discontinuity
2. Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity
3. Removable Discontinuity

Now how can we determine the type of discontinuity if there are no graphs?

Instruction : Classify the discontinuity if it is removable, jump, or asymptotic/infinite

discontinuity.

EXAMPLE 1 :

Analyze the function for x=1:

Direct substitution of x = 1 in the function results in the indeterminate form

Removable Discontinuity is known as being indeterminate, therefore this function is considered

as Removable Discontinuity and can be redefined.

Check for one-sided limits:

- Left-hand limit (lim f(x) as x approaches 1-)
- Right-hand limit (lim f(x) as x approaches 1+)

● Left-hand limit

We can factor the expression in the numerator and cancel out the (x-1) term as long as x ≠ 1.
Evaluating this limit directly, we get:

● Right-hand limit

Similar process applies to the right-hand limit. We can cancel the common factor only for x
approaching 1 from the right (where x is always greater
than 1).

Evaluating this limit directly, we get:

The one-sided limits (both left and right) exist and are equal (both equal to 2).

Therefore, we redefine f(1) to be 2: f(1) = 2

With the redefined f(1), the new function that eliminates the discontinuity is:

EXAMPLE 2 : Determine the type of discontinuity if x = 4

In the case of a piecewise function, we need to examine

where the pieces meet. In this case, the two pieces meet at

So we will examine the one-sided limits at

We first need to find the two one-sided limits:

 - Left-hand limit (lim f(x) as x approaches 4-)
- Right-hand limit (lim f(x) as x approaches 4+)
● Left-hand limit

● Right-hand limit

Since the one sided limits exist but are not equal, the , does not exist.

And according to the flowchart, if the one sided limits are unequal, they are considered as Jump
Discontinuity.

EXAMPLE 3 : Determine the type of discontinuity if x= - 2

Direct substitution of x = - 2 in the function results in undefined

Asymptotic /Infinite Discontinuity is known as being undefined, therefore this function can be
considered as Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity. But, let's further test it using the flowchart.

We can classify the discontinuity by analyzing the one-sided limits:

● Left-hand limit
 ● Right-hand limit

We don't need to proceed through the rest of the flowchart since a non-existent limit
automatically classifies the discontinuity as one where neither one-sided limit can even be
approached since both of them are undefined.

Therefore, it is classified as Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity.

BACKUP EXAMPLES FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION :

1. Determine the type of discontinuity if x = 1

ANSWER : Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity

2. Determine the type of discontinuity

ANSWER : Jump Discontinuity

3. Determine the type of discontinuity

 ANSWER : Removable Discontinuity

CONCLUSION

● If a graph has a hole or a hollow, it is Removable Discontinuity.

● If direct substitution leads to the function being indeterminate, it is Removable
Discontinuity.
● If a graph of a function stops or breaks at one point and jumps to another, it is Jump
Discontinuity.
● If the left and right hand limit exist, but not equal, it is Jump Discontinuity.
● If a graph has a vertical asymptote, it is Asymptotic/Infinite Discontinuity.
● If direct substitution leads to the function being undefined, it is Asymptotic/Infinite
Discontinuity.
● Only Removable Discontinuity can be redefined, unlike the other two types of
discontinuities.