Thomas, 13e

MAC 2311: Calculus I

Section 2.5: Continuity

A. Continuity at a Point

Definition: A function is continuous at an interior point c if lim f ( x ) = f ( c ) , meaning:

x c

1. f ( c ) exists (that is, c is in the domain of f )

2. lim f ( x ) exists
x c

3. lim f ( x ) = f ( c )
x c

If any of the above 3 conditions fail, we say f ( x ) is discontinuous at the point x = c.

Example 1: Using the graph of f ( x ) , at which numbers is f ( x ) discontinuous, and why?

Definition: Continuity at Endpoints (Left and Right Hand Continuity)

A function is continuous from the left at a number c if lim f ( x ) = f ( c )
x c

A function is continuous from the right at a number c if lim f ( x ) = f ( c )

x c +

Example 2: Using the example above, is the function continuous at the endpoints x =
3 and x =
5?

Additional Continuity Example

Classifying Discontinuities:
Discontinuities are also classified by name, depending on the reason for the discontinuity:

limit DNE because: lim f ( x ) lim+ f ( x ) jump discontinuity

x c x c

limit DNE because lim f ( x ) = or lim f ( x ) = infinite discontinuity

x c x c
(because the
lim f ( x ) exists, but f ( c ) DNE or lim f ( x ) f ( c ) removable discontinuity discontinuity could
x c x c
be removed by just
redefining one
Example 3: Classify the discontinuities in examples 1 and 2. function value, f ( c ) .

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e x
, x 1
Example 4: Sketch the graph of f ( x ) = .
ln x , x > 1
Where is f ( x ) discontinuous and why? Where is continuous?

x2 1
,x 1
Example 5: Algebraically, determine whether f ( x ) = x 1 is continuous at x = 1.
2 ,x =1

6 x < 2
4x 2 x < 1

Example 6: Algebraically, determine whether f ( x ) = 5 x 1 x= 1 is continuous at:
3 x + 7 1 < x < 3
2
x 11 x>3
6a. x = 2

6b. x = 1

6c. x = 3

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B. Continuity on an interval

Definition: A function f ( x ) is continuous on an open interval ( a, b ) if it is continuous at every number in

(A function f ( x ) is continuous on the closed interval [ a, b ] if it is continuous on ( a, b ) and
( a, b ) .
continuous from the right at a and continuous from the left at b).

Using the limit laws, we showed that for many common functions, lim f ( x ) = f ( c ) , for all c in the
x c
domain.
This means that those functions are continuous on their domains.

Theorem: The following common functions are continuous on their domains:

polynomial functions rational functions
root functions absolute value functions
exponential functions logarithmic functions
trigonometric functions inverse trigonometric functions

Furthermore,
Theorem: If f and g are continuous at c, then so are:
f
f +g f g cf fg ; provided g ( a ) 0
g
Also, if g is continuous at c, and f is continuous at g ( c ) , then the composition
( f g )( x ) = f ( g ( x ) ) is continuous at c.
Example 7: Where are the following functions continuous?

x2 9
a) f ( x) =
x2 5x + 6

x
b) f ( x) =
x 3

c) f ( x=
) 3 4x

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Example 7 (continued): Where are the following functions continuous?

d) ( x ) ln ( x 1)
f=

e) f ( x ) = sec ( 3 x )

Consequences of Continuity

1. Continuity and Limits: Because the definition of continuity at a point is: lim f ( x ) = f ( c ) , this implies
x c
that limits can be found by direct substitution, wherever the function is continuous.

2. The Intermediate Value Theorem

Theorem: If function f ( x ) is continuous on the closed
interval [ a, b ] , and k is any intermediate value
between f ( a ) and f ( b ) , then there exists
at least 1 c in the interval [ a, b ] such that f ( c ) = k .

Corollary: If function f ( x ) is continuous on the

closed interval [ a, b ] , and f ( a ) and f ( b ) have opposite signs,
then there exists at least 1 c in the interval [ a, b ] such that f ( c ) = 0.

Example 8: Use the Intermediate Value Theorem to show there is at

least 1 real root (zero) for the equation x 4 3 x 3 + 3 =0
on the interval [ 0, 2] .

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