Limits and continuity
Section 2.1, 2.4 and 2.6
preencoded.png
Objectives
➢ Motivation
➢ Definition of Limits
➢ Obtain limits graphically
➢ Existence and Non existence of limits
➢ Continuity and types of discontinuites
preencoded.png
Motivation
❑ Limits explain how a function behaves when inputs change slightly.
❑ If tiny changes in 𝑥 cause tiny changes in f(𝑥), the function is smooth
(continuous).
❑ If the function jumps or behaves erratically, it’s discontinuous.
❑ Studying limits and continuity
helps us describe and predict
these behaviors precisely.
❑ Without understanding these behaviors,
programs could face glitches, instability,
or inaccurate predictions.
❑ Some prediction models use gradients(slopes) to minimize the error
function(smooth) that are used in prediction models.
Definition:
Limits:- A function 𝑓(𝑥)is said to have a limit 𝑙 at 𝑥 = 𝑎 if 𝑓(𝑥)
approaches 𝑙 as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 both towards left and right of 𝑎. It is
denoted as
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑙
𝑥→𝑎
1. lim = Two sided limits = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑙
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
2. lim− = One sided limits = Left Hand Limit = LHL = lim− 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
3. lim+ = One sided limits = Right Hand Limit = RHL = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→𝑎
Two sided limit lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐿 exists if and only if LHL = RHL = L
𝑥→𝑎
Note that function is not defined when 𝑥 = 1
𝑓(1) is not defined
Values of x below 1 and 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
above 1 𝒇 𝒙 = = 𝒙 + 𝟏,
𝒙−𝟏
𝒙≠𝟏
0.9 1.9
0.99 1.99
0.999 1.999
0.999999 1.999999
1.0000001 2.000001
1.001 2.001
1.01 2.01
1.1 2.1
a) LHL= lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
RHL= lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
LHL = RHL
Thus, lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
Here 𝑓(1) is not defined.
The limit exists even though 𝑓(1) is not defined.
So limit value does not depend upon how the function is defined at that point
b) LHL= lim− 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
RHL= lim+ 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
LHL = RHL
Thus, lim 𝑔 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
Here 𝑔(1) is defined and 𝑔 1 = 1
The limit exists which is not equal to 𝑔 1 .
So limit value does not depend upon how the function is defined at that point
c) LHL= lim− ℎ 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
RHL= lim+ ℎ 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
LHL = RHL
Thus, lim ℎ 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→1
Here ℎ(1) is defined, and ℎ 1 = 2
The limit exists and it is same as ℎ(1).
So limit value does not depend upon how the function is defined at that point
To find Left hand limit and right hand limit graphically
1. Finding one sided and two sided limits from a graph
a) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥→ −3
LHL = -1
RHL = -1
LHL = RHL? Yes
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = −1 even though 𝑓 −3 = 1
𝑥→ −3
b) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →−2
LHL = 0
RHL= 0
LHL = RHL? Yes
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥→ −2
Here 𝑓 −2 = 0
c) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →−1
LHL = 1
RHL = 2
LHL = RHL? No
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→ −1
Here 𝑓 −1 = 2
d) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →0
LHL = 2
RHL = 2
LHL = RHL? Yes
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→0
Here 𝑓 0 = 2
e) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →1
LHL = 2
RHL = 1
LHL = RHL? No
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→1
Here 𝑓 1 is not defined
f) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →2
LHL = 1
RHL = 1
LHL = RHL? Yes
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→ 2
Here 𝑓 2 = 1
g) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →3
LHL = 0
RHL = 0
LHL = RHL? Yes
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥→3
Here 𝑓 3 = 0
h) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →4
LHL = -1
RHL = DNE
LHL = RHL? No
lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→4
Here 𝑓 4 = 1
2. Finding one sided and two sided limits from a graph
3. Finding one sided and two sided limits from a graph
Section 2.6 Continuity at a point
Here function 𝑦 is continuous at left end point of x = −2 since (RHL=functional value)
and 𝑦 is continuous at right end point of 𝑥 = 2 since(LHL=functional value) and also for
all x in between
Types of discontinuity
Types of
Discontinuity
Non-
Removable
Removable
Jump Infinite Oscillating
discontinuity discontinuity discontinuity
Continuous everywhere
❑Graph has no breaks
❑So, graph is continuous everywhere
Removable discontinuity when function
defined at 𝒙 = 𝒂
❑Graph has a hole
❑ Here in this example 𝑓(𝑎) is defined
❑ The hole can be patched by redefining 𝑓(𝑎)
so as to plug the hole.
Continuous extension
(Redefining the function)
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
𝑮 𝒙 =ቐ𝒙−𝟏 𝒙≠𝟏
𝟐 𝒙=𝟏
Removable discontinuity when function is
not defined at 𝒙 = 𝒂
❑Graph has a hole
❑ Here in this example 𝑓(𝑎) is not defined
❑ The hole can be patched by redefining
𝑓(𝑎) so as to plug the hole.
Continuous extension
(Redefining the function)
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
𝑮 𝒙 =ቐ𝒙−𝟏 𝒙≠𝟏
𝟐 𝒙=𝟏
Jump discontinuity
❑Graph has a jump/ Gap
❑ Here in this example 𝑓(𝑎) is
defined
❑ The gap cannot be patched with a
single point (𝑎, 𝑓 𝑎 ) by redefining
𝑓(𝑎)
❑ Non removable discontinuity
Infinite discontinuity
❑Graph has an asymptote at 𝑥 = 𝑎
( a tangent that touch the curve at
infinity)
❑ 𝑓(𝑎) is not defined
❑ Non removable discontinuity
Asymptote at 𝑥 = 𝑎
Oscillating discontinuity
❑Graph shows an oscillating
behavior at 𝑥 = 𝑎
❑ 𝑓(𝑎) is not defined
❑ Non removable discontinuity
Remark:
A function is continuous at a left end point 𝒂 if the 𝑹𝑯𝑳 = 𝒇(𝒂)
A function is continuous at a right end point 𝒂 if the 𝑳𝑯𝑳 = 𝒇(𝒂)
For continuity at the end points check if one sided limit is equal
to function value at that point
We can talk about continuity at the left end point and right end
point only if they are the end points of the domain
1. Find the points for which the function is continuous and
discontinuous for the following figure
a) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →0
Since 𝑥 = 0 is the left end point
we only have one sided limit RHL
RHL at 𝑥 = 0 = 1
But 𝑓 0 = 1
Is RHL = 𝑓 0 ? Yes
Since RHL = 𝑓 0 , the function is continuous at left end point 𝑥 = 0
b) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →1
LHL at 𝑥 = 1 = 0
RHL at 𝑥 = 1 = 1
LHL = RHL? No
𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = 𝐿 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→1
Second condition of continuity test fails
The function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 1 since the limit does not exist.
Function has a Jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 1 since there is a gap and so
LHL≠ RHL
c) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →2
LHL at 𝑥 = 2 = 1
RHL at 𝑥 = 2 = 1
LHL = RHL? Yes
𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = 𝐿 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→2
But 𝑓 2 = 2
Is L = 𝑓 2 ? No, Thus the function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 2
Function has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 2 since there is a
hole
d) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →3
LHL at 𝑥 = 3 = 2
RHL at 𝑥 = 3 = 2
LHL = RHL? Yes
𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = 𝐿 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥→3
But 𝑓 3 = 2
Is L = 𝑓 3 ? Yes. Thus the function is continuous at 𝑥 = 3
e) lim 𝑓 𝑥
𝑥 →4
Since 𝑥 = 4 is the right end point
we only have one sided limit LHL
LHL at 𝑥 = 4 = 1
𝑓 4 = 0.5
Is LHL = 𝑓 4 ? No
Thus function is not continuous at right end point 𝑥 = 4
Function has a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 4 since there is a
hole
Thus the function is continuous on 0, 4 except at
𝑥 = 1, 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 4
2. Discuss the continuity of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 4 − 𝑥 2 in its domain [−2, 2]
We check continuity at end points first, because it is
continuous everywhere in between
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim + 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 →−2
𝑓 −2 = 0
Here function 𝑦 is continuous at left end point of x = −2
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 →2
𝑓 2 =0
𝑦 is continuous at right end point of 𝑥 = 2
The function is continuous everywhere in the domain
1 ; 𝑥≥0
3. Discuss the continuity of the unit step function 𝑓 𝑥 = ቊ
0 ; 𝑥<0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? No
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 = 1
The function has jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 0.
𝑥
4. Discuss the continuity of the function 𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
−𝑥 𝑥<0
We know that 𝑥 = ቊ
𝑥 𝑥≥0
𝑥
𝑥
;𝑥 < 0
𝑓 𝑥 = = ቐ−𝑥
𝑥
𝑥 ;𝑥 > 0
𝑥
𝑥 −1 ; 𝑥 < 0
𝑓 𝑥 = =ቊ
𝑥 1 ;𝑥 > 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = −1
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? No
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓 0 = undefined
𝑥 = 0 is a jump discontinuity
5. a) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? Yes
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is defined and 𝑓(0) = 1
Since L = 𝑓(0)
Thus continuous at 𝑥 = 0
5. b) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? Yes
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is not defined
We cannot check 𝐿 = 𝑓(0)
Thus function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0
At 𝒙 = 𝟎 we have a removable discontinuity as we can patch the hole by redefining 𝒇(𝟎)
5. c) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? Yes
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is defined and 𝑓 0 = 2
Thus function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0 since
L≠𝑓 0
At 𝒙 = 𝟎 we have a removable discontinuity as we can patch the hole by redefining 𝒇(𝟎)
5. d) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 1
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? No
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is defined and 𝑓 0 = 1
We cannot check 𝐿 = 𝑓(0)
Thus function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0
At 𝒙 = 𝟎 we have a jump discontinuity since there is a gap at 𝒙 = 𝟎
5. e) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = ∞
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = ∞
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? No
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is not defined
We cannot check 𝐿 = 𝑓(0)
Thus function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0
At 𝒙 = 𝟎 we have an infinite discontinuity as we can draw an asymptote at 𝒙 = 𝟎
5. f) Discuss the continuity of the function at 𝑥 = 0
𝐿𝐻𝐿 = lim− 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐷𝑁𝐸 since its oscillating
𝑥 →0
𝑅𝐻𝐿 = lim+ 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝐷𝑁𝐸 since its oscillating
𝑥 →0
Is LHL = RHL? No
𝐿 = 𝑇𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡 = lim 𝑓 𝑥 = DNE
𝑥→0
𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑒 , 𝑓 0 is not defined
We cannot check 𝐿 = 𝑓(0)
Thus function is not continuous at 𝑥 = 0
At 𝒙 = 𝟎 we have a oscillating discontinuity as there is an oscillating behavior at 𝒙 = 𝟎
5)
6)
Answers:-
1) 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous in the domain
−1, 3 except at 𝑥 = 2 . The function has
a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 2
2) 𝑦 = 𝑔 𝑥 is continuous in the domain
−1, 3 except at 𝑥 = 3 . The function has
a removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 3
3) 𝑦 = ℎ 𝑥 is continuous everywhere in
the domain −1, 3
4) 𝑦 = 𝑘 𝑥 is continuous in the domain
−1, 3 except at 𝑥 = 1 . The function has
a jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 1
5)
5) 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous in the domain
−1, 2 except at 𝑥 = 0 , 𝑥 = 1.
The function has a removable discontinuity at
𝑥 = 0 and Jump discontinuity at 𝑥 = 1
6)
6) 𝑦 = 𝑓 𝑥 is continuous in the domain
−1, 3 except at 𝑥 = 1 , 𝑥 = 2.
The function has a Jump discontinuity at 𝑥 =
1 and removable discontinuity at 𝑥 = 2
