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Continuity

Math continuity notes

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jamesvw.2005
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12 views41 pages

Continuity

Math continuity notes

Uploaded by

jamesvw.2005
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Continuity

Continuous means not stopping


or continuing for a time
without interruption.

Electricity provision is a
continuous process...
well it’s supposed to be
Continuous functions can be drawn,
from beginning to end, without lifting
one’s hand.
This function can not be drawn without
lifting one’s hand. So it is discontinuous
(not continuous)... we’ll get to the
definition later on...
Another example of a function which
is discontinuous – it can not be drawn
without lifting one’s hand at the circle
Still, it can’t be drawn without lifting
one’s hand... so still discontinuous
The circle is how we indicate that the
What is this cirlce thingy?
function is not defined in that point.
In this case the function is undefined
at the point x=1

1
The dot indicates that the function takes
What is this dot thingy?
on
In that
this specific
case thevalue in the
function point.
value in the
point x = 1, is y=-2.

1
-2
Another problem students
often experience, is the
concept of a piecewise
defined function.

So let’s look at these


functions, before proceeding
to the definition of
continuity.
Let

x, x ≥ 0
f(x) =
-x, x < 0
The function
There, consists
there... don’t
This is a straight lineof two
cry...
straight
This islines
a straight line
x, x ≥ 0
f(x) =
-x, x < 0
Let’s sketch the graph...
- x, x < 0

x , x ≥ 0
Let

x , x < 2
f(x) =
x, x ≥ 2
2
The function
There,
This there... consists
don’t
This isis aa parabola of two
cry...
straight line
functions, y=x and y=x 2

x , x < 2
f(x) =
x, x ≥ 2
2
Let’s
xx == 22sketch
isis included
notthe graph...
included

x, x ≥ 2
2
4

2 x , x < 2
2
Let’s try to sketch the graph
of
1, x > 0

g(x) = 0, x = 0

-1, x < 0
1, x > 0
1

= 0
x
0,
-1
-1, x < 0
Let’s try to sketch the graph
of
x, -1<x < 1

f(x) = -2, x = 1

x, x > 1
2
x2, x>1

-1 1
x, -1<x<1
-2 -2, x = 1
Definition of Continuity
A function f is continuous in the
point a if:
1) f(a) exists

2) lim f(x) exists


x a

3) lim f(x) = f(a)


x a
f(a) does not exist, so f is discontinuous
in the point x = a.

a
lim
f(a)f(x)
exists
does not exist,
x a

so f discontinuous in a

a
lim
limf(x)
f(x)
f(a) ≠exists
f(a), so f discontinuous in a
exists
x x a
a
Is f continuous at x=-1?

x -1
2
f(x) =
x+1
1) f(a) exists

f(-1) does not exist

Thus f is discontinuous in x=-1


Show that the function is
continuous in the point x=-1

x -1 , x≠-1
2

f(x) = x+1

-2 , x=-1
1) f(a) exists

f(-1) = -2

Thus f(-1) exists


2) lim f(x) exists
x a

lim f(x) = lim x -1 2


x -1 x -1 x+1
= xlim (x-1)(x+1)
-1
x+1
= -2
So the limit exists...

why did we only consider


lim and not left lim and
right lim??
3) lim f(x) =f(a)
x a

lim
x -1
f(x) = -2 = f(-1)
Therefore,

conditions 1), 2) and 3) in


the definition of continuity
hold.
Hence the function is
continuous in the point
x=-1.
Is the function continuous in
x=-1?

x -1 , x<-1
2

f(x) = x+1

3x , x≥-1
1) f(a) exists

f(-1) = 3*(-1) = -3

Thus f(-1) exists


2) lim f(x) exists
x a

lim f(x) = lim x -1 2


x -1 - x -1 x+1
= xlim (x-1)(x+1)
-1
x+1
= -2
lim
x -1
+
f(x) = lim
x -1
3x
= -3
Thus,
lim
x -1-
f(x) ≠ lim
x -1
f(x)
+

This means the limit does not exist.

Therefore, f is discontinuous in
x = -1
Is the function continuous in
x=-1?

x -1 , x≠-1
2

f(x) = x+1

3 , x=-1
1) f(a) exists

f(-1) = 3

Thus f(-1) exists


2) lim f(x) exists
x a

lim f(x) = lim x -1 2


x -1 x -1 x+1
= xlim (x-1)(x+1)
-1
x+1
= -2
3) lim f(x) =f(a)
x a

lim
x -1
f(x) = -2 ≠ f(-1)

So, property 1) and 2) hold, but


Property 3) does not hold. Thus,
is discontinuous in x=-1

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